Federal fisheries authorities have asked Yukon First Nations to cut their salmon catch quota in half this season, but at least one First Nation is refusing to accept the new quotas.
A 50 per cent quota cut has been put on this year's Yukon aboriginal salmon fishery. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans decided on the reduction this week, in light of growing concerns about low salmon numbers in the Yukon River this summer.
A lack of chinook (king) salmon in the river has already led to the closure of commercial and domestic fisheries this year.
"We've suggested guidelines to the First Nations that we will be going with a half-fishery there," Frank Quinn, the federal department's Yukon area director, told
"We've been in ongoing consultations with the First Nations, and all but one that we've been in contact with have agreed to meet with their citizens and impose the restrictions themselves."
The one First Nation to oppose the new quota is the Ta'an Kwach'an Council, which includes the Lake Laberge area north of Whitehorse. Ta'an officials called the new quota an insult, saying it has restricted its members' catch to just 47 chinook salmon.
"This response is to send a message to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans that you know, we've done our part as a government," said Emmie Fairclough, the Ta'an Kwach'an's renewable resources manager.
"We've always had a small fishery here from the Ta'an citizens … We're saying no, we're not going to abide by that 47, and maybe our culture camp or someone may take more than 47."
At the same time, Fairclough said Ta'an members have been advised by the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation, located downstream from the Ta'an, to stay away from its fishing zones.
Meanwhile, the Tr'ondek Hwech'in Han Nation in Dawson City said it will comply with its new allocation of 700 salmon.
James MacDonald, the First Nation's fish and wildlife director, said meetings have been held with the elders council and community to discuss the quota cuts.
"Everybody understands the need for conservation and the need to reduce our harvests," MacDonald said.
"So everybody's receptive to this approach for this season, and I think everybody's going to work with us to achieve our 50 per cent reduction."
MacDonald said the 50 per cent cutback will allow Yukon First Nations to take a total of 4,000 fish from the river this year.