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The Alaska/Canada border runs the length of Portland Canal and chum salmon stocks in this 

 area were depressed for many years. A rebuilding program was undertaken through closure 

 of a number of fishing areas within the canal. In 1994 chum salmon finally returned in 

 healthy numbers. Bilateral agreement was reached to open much of the canal that had 

 previously been closed and fishermen from both countries are currently benefiting. 



In 1994, the U.S. limited fishing time during the initial opening of the District 4 (Noyes 

 Island) purse seine fishery to reduce the exploitation rate on weak returns of Nass and Skeena 

 river sockeye. Reductions in the pre- week 31 District 4 sockeye harvest were discussed with 

 Canada. Discussions also occurred regarding week 31 fishing strategies to ensure that the 

 District 4 fishery targets pink salmon while avoiding incidental catches of Canadian-origin 

 sockeye. 



Through the renegotiation of the Northern Boundary Area Annex fishing regimes, the U.S. 

 has responded to Canada's stated need to access its pink salmon returns with its troll fleet in 

 Area 1. This has resulted in increased Area 1 annual troll fishery pink catch limits from 

 500,000 at the signing of the treaty to 600,000 in 1986 and to 1.3 million in 1990. A 

 significant portion (40% to 60%) of Canada's Area 1 troll pink harvest consists of U.S. stocks. 

 No direct "compensation" for these increases were required by the United States. 



Regarding the early Skeena coho conservation concern raised by Canada, Alaska has offered 

 to undertake a joint technical review of all aspects of this issue to determine the nature and 

 extent of the conservation problem and consider conservation options. However, this stock 

 appears to be mixed throughout many fishing areas inhabited by very healthy Alaskan coho 

 stocks. Skeena coho are estimated to constitute only approximately one half of one percent 

 of the Southeast Alaska coho abundance. Early season coho catches in Southeast Alaska 

 have been reduced, however, as a result of management restrictions required for treaty 

 implementation for fisheries targeting chinook and sockeye. 



Alaska has discussed Canadian concerns regarding incidental catches of steelhead in net 

 fisheries targeting other species of salmon. Alaska was prepared to discuss some approaches 

 to minimizing incidental steelhead catches, however, Canada broke off general Treaty 

 negotiations. In January 1994 the Alaska Board of Fisheries unilaterally implemented a 

 regulation on non-sale of incidentally caught steelhead in Southeast Alaska purse seine 

 fisheries. 



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