As an international organization, the Pacific Salmon Commission has been deemed an essential service by the B.C. government. Thus the PSC Secretariat remains operational to support Canada and the United States in their implementation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Bilateral meetings are occurring (online and via telephone) and Secretariat field operations to assess Fraser River sockeye runs will occur under modified protocols. This includes test fisheries, port sampling, and hydroacoustic programs in Canadian and U.S. waters. Through the summer season, the Secretariat staff will be completing their duties through a combination of telework and in-person tasks as dictated by safety protocols and operational needs. Fraser River Panel and Technical Committee meetings will occur online to ensure uninterrupted management of Fraser River sockeye stocks in 2020.
Canadian and U.S. agencies charged with field programs in support of other Treaty provisions are coordinating their efforts continuously. Commissioners will convene online in July to discuss the status of their efforts and to determine formats for the regular PSC meeting weeks in October 2020, January 2021, and February 2021. For more information about any of the PSC’s operations, please contact the Secretariat at 604 684 8081 or info@psc.org.
The Secretariat extends its best wishes to our colleagues, friends, and delegates and is looking forward to renewed connections in-person after the pandemic passes.