PSSI Strategic Framework

Background

Launched on June 8, 2021, the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) represents Canada’s largest investment in salmon: an investment of $647.1 million plus $98.9 million in amortization over 5 years. The PSSI aims to stem the historic decline of many Pacific salmon populations and to protect and rebuild stocks where possible by implementing a series of immediate and long-term solutions that focus on habitat, hatchery and harvest measures, along with greater integration and collaboration. The PSSI represents a transformational shift in how Pacific salmon are managed on Canada’s west coast.

Strategic Framework overview

A PSSI strategic framework has been developed to guide the implementation of new and existing actions to advance federal efforts towards the new proposed federal Pacific salmon vision:

“Working together to conserve and restore priority Pacific salmon populations and their ecosystems, for those who depend on them.”

The vision is meant to be long-term and aspirational. One of the key elements of this new proposed federal vision is the need to prioritize DFO's efforts towards the targeted rebuilding and conservation of priority Pacific salmon stocks. Priority stocks will be identified based on scientific analysis and in collaboration with others.

In order to measure federal progress over the next 5 years towards the Pacific salmon vision, the Department has outlined the following strategic direction to help us chart our way in a concrete and measurable way.

Ultimate outcome: Priority Pacific salmon populations are protected and restored through targeted action in collaboration with partners.

• 5-year target (by March 31, 2026; end of PSSI 5-year funding): 100% of prioritized Pacific salmon stocks in the critical zone with an approved and implemented rebuilding/conservation plan.
• Reaching the 5-year target will set the foundation for the Department to advance towards its 15-year target: % of stocks in cautious or healthy zones with approved and implemented rebuilding/conservation plan (target TBD)

Implementation will also be supported by 5 cross-cutting principles. The 5 guiding principles form the foundation of PSSI engagement, implementation, and other activities:

Guiding principles

• Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples: Positive relationships and collaboration with First Nations will help to achieve solutions and shared objectives.
• Innovative solutions: Alternatives to the status quo are needed to address current challenges and support conservation, as well as socio-cultural and economic outcomes.
• Prioritization: Identification of priority Pacific salmon populations will be delivered more clearly through an integrated, adaptive and systematic approach.
• Enhanced transparency, data and trust: Broad support of desired salmon outcomes will be facilitated by science-driven decision making and improved external structures.
• Partnerships and collaboration: PSSI initiatives will be delivered through advanced collaboration with Indigenous groups, provincial/territorial governments, internal partners, industry stakeholders and the general public.

Pillars

The PSSI takes a multi-pronged approach by implementing a series of immediate and long-term measures, organized under four pillars.

Conservation and stewardship

Theme:

• Habitat monitoring and assessment
• Integrated planning and restoration

Salmon enhancement

Theme:

• Conservation focused
• Harvest focused

Harvest transformation

Theme:

• Indigenous
• Commercial
• Recreational

Integration and collaboration

Theme:

• Integration and coordination
• Collaboration and partnerships

Engagement on the PSSI has been divided into 3 phases:

Phase 1: Early engagement – spring to fall 2021

Following the launch of the PSSI on June 8, 2021, DFO commenced the first phase of engagement with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, provincial and territorial governments, environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) and key stakeholders. The primary focus of this engagement was to provide an introduction to the PSSI overarching framework. DFO collected initial impressions of the PSSI, including potential challenges and considerations in implementation planning, and how groups want to be engaged.

Phase 2: Early implementation engagement – December 2021 to early summer 2022

This phase of engagement provides greater detail through a ‘deeper dive’ into the PSSI as a whole, as well as the beginning of engagement on specific topics/key activities with the groups mentioned in Phase 1.

There is work happening simultaneously within key activities under each of the 4 pillars, and for most of these, key activity engagement will be an important aspect of implementation planning.

Phase 2 also includes the initiation of the PSSI’s broader public engagement efforts, starting with the Let’s Talk Pacific Salmon Platform and this PSSI Strategic Framework engagement opportunity.

Phase 3: Ongoing engagement – summer 2022 - ongoing

Phase 3 will include continued engagement on the PSSI as a whole, as well as engagement on a variety of key activities. DFO leads will be established for all key activities; these leads will develop and support implementation of engagement plans, coordinating with each other to avoid “consultation fatigue” in our engagement partners.