A new study by doctoral researcher Lauren Eckert at the University of Victoria has revealed unexpected similarities between anglers and conservationists. This new discovery arrives in the midst of a long-standing conflict involving chinook salmon and southern resident killer whales. The study highlights how identity and core beliefs significantly influence the differing perspectives of those involved in this contentious issue.
The dispute—which focuses on interception fisheries originating from southeast Alaska —has lasted six years. Each side has developed highly entrenched beliefs, which makes fixing it almost impossible. Misty MacDuffee of the Raincoast Conservation Foundation remarked that after years of discussion, the key issues have not shifted. Evident by this long-lasting dispute, determining how to balance the needs of many stakeholders in ecological management remains complicated.
Eckert’s research has found that identity-based conflicts play a significant role in the perpetuation of tensions. She called for a “paradigm shift” in how policymakers connect the dots between fishermen and conservationists. This change might be as radical as hiring paid conflict mediators to intervene, cross the partisan chasm, and increase productive dialogue.
To better understand the roots of this conflict, the University of Victoria and the Raincoast Conservation Foundation conducted an online survey of 727 British Columbians. Our findings indicated that the vast majority of respondents perceive the issue as a binary culture war. Instead, they frequently oversimplify it into an “us versus them” mindset. Eckert commented, “It’s often very tempting to collapse conflicts into ‘us versus them.’ There’s an in-group, people who agree with me, and an out-group, people who don’t.”
The legal landscape related to this dispute has changed as well. In 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration corrected deficiencies in its biological opinion to comply with the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. In May 2023, a U.S. federal judge handed down a landmark ruling that voided a critical authorization for a large-scale fishery in southeast Alaska. This ruling prevented the interception of hundreds of thousands of valuable chinook salmon.
Misty MacDuffee remarked on the political nature of these scientific discussions: “As much as you want science to guide these processes, ultimately they’re political.” She explained that the processes the federal government has put in place to develop fisheries policies frequently inflame divisions. Instead of solving problems, their actions only exacerbate them.
In July 2024, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a very important decision. Their unfortunate decision to partially reverse their previous ruling allowed the southeast alaska chinook troll fishery to continue its disastrous operations. This back-and-forth legal battle reflects the ongoing uncertainty surrounding chinook salmon stocks and their impact on southern resident killer whales.
And the successful return of 172,000 Akutan fish from Alaska will increase potential prey availability for orcas by five percent. This is a big deal for their recovery, to say the least. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said the new biological opinion provides “objective and measurable protections” for listed chinook salmon stocks. It additionally ensures “equitable consideration of impacts” from U.S. commercial fisheries upon southern resident killer whales.
In 2019, Fisheries and Oceans Canada restricted recreational chinook salmon fishery in British Columbia. This action directly benefitted food availability for the imperiled southern resident killer whale population. Greg Taylor, a local advocate, voiced his concerns: “If you look at how many chinook are returning to the Fraser River right now, no one should be fishing—no one.”
The emotional resonance complicating these conversations is profound. Words from one of our participants: “The energy in the room was electric.” This climate makes it all the more critical to create spaces where real dialogue can happen between a wide variety of stakeholders.
Eckert advocates for a gradual approach in discussions about fisheries management, suggesting that facilitators should focus on relationship-building before discussing contentious topics. “Get people in a room and don’t start talking about fish until day five.”
Despite the deep-seated divisions, MacDuffee believes there is potential for collaboration. “There’s much more common ground than we think.” This hopeful sentiment is an indication of the increasing realization among stakeholders that when we start from common ground, we can get to better places.
Owen Bird, another local advocate, shared his concern about the economic costs of such conflicts. He stated, “I don’t think even ‘devastating’ is too strong for these small communities that really rely on the sport-fishing economy.” Going on this new economic development one makes the ongoing complicated and drawn-out negotiation process even more difficult.
