Tuesday March 3, 2026
Government of Canada —
Each year in the interior of British Columbia near Prince George, populations of Upper Fraser River Chinook salmon return to spawn in smaller rivers and streams. However, these stocks are of significant conservation concern, with low numbers that require ongoing efforts to support their recovery. First Nations and Community-operated hatcheries in the Upper Fraser River Area support these vulnerable salmon populations by collecting adult salmon for broodstock and raising their offspring to boost low population numbers.
In the summer of 2025, a challenge arose at a community-based salmon enhancement facility north of Williams Lake. The hatchery team at the Quesnel River Research Centre collected adult Upper Fraser River Chinook salmon but were concerned they did not have the correct ratio of male and female salmon broodstock for paired breeding. In the upper Fraser, remote locations and logistical constraints make it necessary to capture some salmon for broodstock before they have begun showing secondary, external sexual traits such as jaw, teeth, and colour changes. At this early stage, males and females have very similar physical appearances, making it difficult to distinguish between them.