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CHAPTER 20 



YUKON FISHERIES 



. . .the fishery is one of the best on the conti- 

 nent, with a variety of species, numerous 

 accessible fishing sites, good return for effort 

 and minimum regulation. Uncontrolled 

 resource use will change this situation. 



YUKON CONSERVATION SOCIETY' 



In the preceding chapter I explained that Yukon fisher- 

 ies are administered as part of the Department of Fisher- 

 ies and Oceans' Pacific region. The problems the Depart- 

 ment faces in this territory, and the framework within 

 which it operates, are quite different from those in British 

 Columbia, however. And the political and jurisdictional 

 arrangements differ substantially from the rest of the 

 Pacific region. These unique circumstances have required 

 me to undertake a special investigation of fisheries policy 

 as it applies in Yukon. Some of my recommendations in 

 other chapters apply to the whole Pacific region; in this 

 Chapter I summarize my particular conclusions about 

 Yukon arrangements. 



THE nSH RESOURCES 



The fish resources of the Yukon Territory have not 

 been systematically surveyed, and hence our knowledge 

 about them rests on various investigations into particular 

 problems. Many of these studies were carried out by 

 agencies other than the Department of Fisheries and 

 Oceans, and they comprise a patchwork of field invento- 

 ries, compilations of catch statistics, surveys of fishermen, 

 and monitoring studies associated with development 

 projects. 



Generally, the freshwater fish stocks in Yukon lakes 

 are not highly productive. Low concentrations of 

 nutrients, low temperatures and short ice-free seasons 

 result in slower growth rates, longer periods of matura- 

 tion, and less frequent spawning than at lower latitudes. 

 In Yukon rivers the productivity of fish stocks is believed 

 to vary considerably, but information is scanty. 



Both freshwater and sea-run (anadromous) species are 

 important in Yukon, and they are utilized in commercial, 

 sport, and subsistence fisheries. All five species of Pacific 

 salmon use the Yukon River system, which is one of the 



most productive on the coast. This great river cormects 

 extensive inland spawning and rearing streams with the 

 ocean, where salmon spend most of their lives. So, unlike 

 freshwater stocks, their productivity is not retarded by 

 the harsh Yukon climate. Chinook and chum are fished 

 along the main stem (and tributaries) of the Yukon River, 

 which flows through Alaska and empties into U.S. territo- 

 rial waters in the Bering Sea. Sockeye, chinook and coho 

 are fished in the Alsek-Tatshenshini system but pink 

 salmon are rare. Runs of salmon are found in the Liard 

 and Mackenzie rivers also. 



Other anadromous species, such as steelhead trout, are 

 found in small numbers in the Tatshenshini River. Arctic 

 char and dolly varden are anadromous in some locations 

 and landlocked in others. 



Much more important are the freshwater species. 

 Grayling are widely distributed in lakes and streams and 

 highly sought by fishermen. Lake trout and three species 

 of whitefish dominate catches in the lakes. Other 

 significant species are northern pike, turbot, and rainbow 

 trout which have been introduced to a few areas. 



The fragmentary evidence available on the condition 

 of Yukon fish resources suggests that stocks of the princi- 

 pal species are declining. Lake trout and grayling appear 

 to be the most seriously depleted. The main cause of 

 depletion is believed to be overfishing, with habitat dam- 

 age being a contributing factor in some areas. Little is 

 known about the condition of the salmon stocks using 

 Yukon rivers, because their distribution and abundance 

 in Yukon is poorly documented and data on their contri- 

 bution to ocean commercial fisheries is weak. The dearth 

 of resource information makes it hazardous to draw any 

 broad conclusions about stock sizes or trends. 



THE FISHERIES 



Until 1954 the regulation of fishing in the territory was 

 rudimentary, and no licences were required for 

 sportfishing. In that year, regulations provided for sport, 

 commercial and domestic licences. Subsequently, provi- 

 sion was made for Indian food-fishing certificates as well. 

 These four licensing systems continue to accommodate 

 distinct fisheries. 



The Sport Fisher>' 



In 1980 just under 17 thousand sportfishing licences 

 were sold by the Yukon Territorial Government, as 

 shown in Table 20-1. Allowing for unlicensed anglers 

 under 16 years of age, nearly 20 thousand sport fishermen 

 fished in Yukon waters in 1980.- This year licence fees 

 were raised and new categories were introduced for resi- 

 dent fishermen over 65 years of age and for one-day non- 

 resident fishermen. 



