Purpose

• Implemented in 2005, the policy is the result of five years of consultations between the government and conservationists. The key aim of the policy is to conserve the wild Pacific salmon population and at the same time support sustainable fisheries. The first priority of the policy is preserving the salmon's habitat and their "genetic diversity," according to Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
  
  

Significance

• Currently, there are significant numbers of farmed salmon in the wild salmon producing areas. The methods involved in producing farmed salmon threaten the wild salmon industry, as farmed salmon is seen as more profitable, even though it has a high environmental cost, according to conservationists at Save Our Rivers. The WSP aims to establish a balance between the types of fisheries that preserves numbers of wild salmon for the future.
  
  

Future

• The policy is inspiring other countries with wild salmon stocks. Following a 2009 conference on wild salmon, Japanese newspaper, The Hokkaido Shimbun pointed out that Canada's WSP is important for preventing cross-breeding between farmed and wild salmon, and that it "maintains salmon stocks that can adapt to climate change." It also suggested that Japan must follow Canada's lead, and that of fisheries in Alaska.