This summer, a higher number of chinook salmon from the Yukon River have been observed reaching Whitehorse compared to recent years, although still lower than historical levels. The fish ladder staff at the Whitehorse dam have tallied over 560 chinook passing through, marking one of the most robust runs in recent times, which contrasts the declining trend since 2020.
Liam Milford, the manager of the fish ladder, expressed optimism about the increase, acknowledging the fluctuating nature of the numbers. Each year, chinook undertake an arduous journey of over 3,000 kilometers from the Bering Sea to their spawning grounds in Canada via the Yukon River.
The Whitehorse fish ladder, recognized as the longest wooden fish ladder globally, provides a safe passage for chinook salmon and other fish species around Yukon Energy’s hydroelectric dam. The annual tracking of chinook numbers by fish ladder staff is a routine practice.
During the Salmon Appreciation Day event at the facility, attendees engaged in games, decorations, and outdoor learning exhibits. Spectators, including children and adults, marveled at the sight of chinook swimming past the underwater windows.
Chief Sean Smith of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation praised this year’s salmon numbers as promising and emphasized the significance of salmon in sustaining families for generations due to their nutritional value.
Although there is a slight increase in this year’s chinook count at the Whitehorse fish ladder, fisheries conservation expert Scott Hinch warns against viewing it as a substantial improvement amidst the long-term decline in Yukon River chinook populations. The impact of warming oceans on marine life, including chinook, is a major concern for researchers like Hinch.
The ongoing decline in chinook numbers led Canada and Alaska to implement a seven-year fishing ban in 2024 along the Yukon River to protect the species. Hinch suggests that while the historic numbers of chinook may not be fully restored, adaptation to a new norm regarding their returning numbers may be necessary.