The federal government says it has implemented most recommendations from a 2012 report aimed at revitalizing B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 Fraser River sockeye salmon run, but the outlook for the species remains murky.

The Cohen commission was launched by the federal government after the near disappearance of the sockeye salmon run in the Fraser River system in 2009. Former B.C. Supreme Court judge Bruce Cohen made 75 suggestions for change, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada said Thursday it has acted on 64 of the recommendations.

Despite these efforts, officials say only 1.5 million salmon have returned to the Fraser River this year, well below the 4.4 million forecasted.

Sockeye salmon return on a four-year cycle, and the 2017 run is based on the previous returns from 2013 and 2009. The lowest return every recorded was in 2016 when just 850,000 sockeye came back.

Jennifer Nener, director of the department香蕉视频直播檚 salmon management, said warmer temperatures in the Pacific Ocean may be largely to blame for poor salmon returns this year.

香蕉视频直播淲e had very warm ocean conditions several degrees above average for a couple of years and that affected the whole food chain for salmon and everything else out there as well,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播漌hat we suspect is that salmon have been affected by the availability of food when they get out into the ocean environment, so we香蕉视频直播檝e seen returns below expectations.香蕉视频直播�

She said the government has been conservative in the number of fish that can be caught in response to the low returns, but only time will tell if the government香蕉视频直播檚 efforts will restore stocks in the long term.

香蕉视频直播淲e have really, I would say, implemented more precautionary measures than ever before,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淥bviously ocean temps are not something within our realm of control. What we can do is manage to the best of our ability to improve the survival of sockeye overall and other salmon species as well.香蕉视频直播�

Cohen香蕉视频直播檚 recommendations included improving harvest and fisheries management, protecting habitat, assessing fish health and researching the implications of aqua culture and climate change on wild salmon.

Plans to implement a new wild salmon policy are also in the works and officials said consultations with First Nations and the public are expected to take place this fall.

The Canadian Press