Coho Salmon Conservation Units, Sites, and Status in Canada

This dataset defines Conservation Units (CUs) for Coho Salmon on Canada's Pacific coast, based on a framework integrating ecotypology, life history, and genetics. It includes associated counting sites for spawner enumeration data and assigns Red, Amber, or Green status zones to each CU based on biological assessments. The CU boundaries were updated in March 2023 using the BC Freshwater Atlas at a 1:20,000 scale.

Use Cases

• Map CU boundaries and their associated WSP status zones (Red, Amber, Green) for spatial conservation planning.
• Analyze the relationship between CU ecotypology classifications and their final integrated biological status.
• Link CU definitions to spawner enumeration data from the New Salmon Escapement Database (NuSEDS) via Counting Sites for population trend analysis.
• Assess the application of the Holtby and Ciruna (2007) framework by examining the grouping of units based on life history and genetic characteristics.

Strengths

• CU boundaries are defined at a detailed 1:20,000 scale from the BC Freshwater Atlas.
• CUs are described through the integrated application of three primary axes: ecotypology, life history, and genetics.
• The dataset supports Canada's Wild Salmon Policy (WSP) with formal Red, Amber, and Green status assessments for each unit.

Limitations

• The specific number of CUs, rows of data, and column structure are not provided in the input.
• CU boundaries are subject to review and change without notice, which may impact longitudinal analysis.
• The input does not specify the temporal range for the status assessments or spawner data.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Collection Method

CUs are defined using a framework by Holtby and Ciruna (2007) aggregating data on ecotypology, life history, and genetics. Status is determined using biological metrics and expert commentary.

Freshness

The CU boundaries were last updated in March 2023, and the metadata record was updated in March 2026.

Geography

Canada's Pacific coast.