In March, 1985 the United States and Canada agreed to cooperate in the management, research and enhancement of Pacific salmon stocks of mutual concern by ratifying the Pacific Salmon Treaty.

The arrangements and institutions established in 1985 proved effective in the early years of the Treaty but became outmoded after 1992 when the original fishing arrangements expired.

In May, 2008 the Pacific Salmon Commission recommended a new bilateral agreement for the conservation and harvest sharing of Pacific salmon to the Governments of Canada and the United States. The new fishing regimes are in force from the beginning of 2009 through the end of 2018 and are contained in Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 of Annex IV of the Treaty. The agreement replaces previous versions of these Chapters.

Note: The current Chapter 4, Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Salmon, does not expire until after the 2010 season.

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