Salmon Heads for Science

The Salmon Head Recovery Program (SHRP) guides the Chinook and coho salmon fisheries along the West Coast, and is one aspect of Canada's obligations under the Pacific Salmon Treaty with the United States. The program's activities aim to rebuild vulnerable salmon stocks and provide harvest opportunities.

Fishers are encouraged to participate by labelling and submitting heads from marked Chinook and coho to Salmon Head Recovery Depots. By participating you will be contributing necessary information for stock assessment and management decisions to protect stocks at risk, guide sustainable fisheries along the west coast of Canada and USA, and allow for continued sport fishing opportunities.

The program is only as good as the data that's gathered, and relies on fishers like yourself!

How do I identify a marked fish?

A “marked” Chinook or coho has a healed scar in place of the adipose fin. Many also have a microscopic Coded Wire Tag (CWT) deep within their snout.

What do I do with the head of my catch?

If you catch a marked Chinook or coho, please remove the head and gills, take it to a Salmon Head Recovery Depot, complete a sport head label (available at the depot) and turn it in. Once the head has been dissected you will receive information about your catch.

Salmon Head Recovery Depots can be found at places like tackle stores, marinas, hatcheries, fishing lodges, and DFO offices. Creel surveyors may also recover heads from anglers.

Please call depots first to make sure they are open and able to collect heads.

The FishingBC App includes all this information about the program, plus a handy searchable list of drop-off locations; just follow the link on the Salmon Head Recovery Program card in the app's home screen or the Catch Log.

If you have questions about the Salmon Head Recovery Program, please contact DFO toll free at 1-866-483-9994, or visit their website.

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Infographic image courtesy of Department of Fisheries and Oceans