Salmon from freshwater to the ocean: there and back again

Knowledge integration across salmon life histories


Salmonids are keystone species in marine, freshwater and riparian ecosystems across the north Pacific region and essential to the sustenance, culture and economies of the region’s peoples. However, many salmon populations are in decline in the face of increasing pressure from human impacts acting at local to ocean basin scales. Within the past five years, 11 populations of Fraser River Chinook salmon, 10 populations of its sockeye salmon and both interior steelhead and coho salmon have been designated as either endangered or threatened and are under consideration for addition to Canada’s Species at Risk Act. Understanding salmonid population trajectories requires integrating knowledge types across their complex life histories that span freshwater, coastal and high seas ocean habitat.

In this webinar we brought together leading experts in salmonid research across the different life stages of Pacific salmon, to share their knowledge about their unique biology and its relation with key salmonid stressors in freshwater, coastal and high seas environments. The webinar also provided a forum to discuss approaches to integrating knowledge across salmonids’ complex life histories for a holistic understanding of population responses to change that can more effectively support adaptation, conservation, restoration, and management. Also considered were the critical existing barriers to achieving knowledge integration.

Dr. William Cheung, Professor and Director, UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries Welcome
Dr. Brian Hunt, Assistant Professor, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries Introduction and context
David Scott, PhD student, UBC Faculty of Forestry "Freshwater life stage"

Greig Oldford, PhD student, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries "Early marine life stage"
Caroline Graham, International Year of the Salmon High Seas Expedition Coordinator (NPAFC) "High seas life stage"
Dr. Andrea Reid, Assistant Professor, Centre for Indigenous Fisheries, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, with Skil Jáada / Vanessa Zahner, Community Partnership Leader, Co-Creating Aquatic Science Project, Centre for Indigenous Fisheries, and Kasey Stirling, MSc student, Centre for Indigenous Fisheries "Traditional knowledge across life stages"

Discussants:

  • Sue Grant, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific
  • Brian Riddell, Pacific Salmon Foundation

Moderators:

  • Natalie Benoit, MSc student, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries
  • Samantha Ramirez, MSc student, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries