The people of the yukon river rely heavily on the watershed's natural resources to feed their families and support their culture

The Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association received a $825,000 project grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects federal grant program (CFDA 11.469).

Through this two-year award ending April 2025, the Association will conduct a comprehensive assessment of habitat alterations in the Yukon River watershed and prioritize restoration needs. This work incorporates consultation with local communities and traditional ecological knowledge to evaluate impacts on declining Chinook and Chum salmon populations. Findings will support salmon research and management efforts. The grant also funds communications to build public awareness of salmon conservation issues.

This award continues the Association's work providing salmon research, management assistance, and outreach to remote communities reliant on the fishery. Past funding from similar NOAA and Interior programs totaling over $2 million supported related efforts such as subsistence surveys, management discussions, and research on migration timing.

Annual chinook and chum salmon harvest is essential for the livelihood of the 76 small, rural villages scattered around the ~330,000 square mile watershed. Since 1997, chinook salmon runs and harvest have declined. In recent years, both chinook and chum salmon runs failed completely with devastating consequences to yukon river watershed people, families, community and culture. Significant habitat alteration has occurred throughout portions of the yukon river watershed in alaska and canada that could be impacting salmon recruitment, yet no comprehensive assessment of these alterations and their potential impact to wild salmon runs has been completed. The yukon river drainage fisheries association will consult directly with yukon river watershed communities and incorporate indigenous traditional knowledge to complete a comprehensive assessment and PRI