Canadian Optimistic About Salmon Deal Resumption Of Ferry Service Sparks ‘Real Hope For Success’

A top Canadian official cited Alaska’s resumption of ferry service to British Columbia in expressing optimism Wednesday that a deal can be worked out to divide salmon harvests between U.S. and Canadian fishermen next summer.

“I think there is real hope for success,” David Anderson, Canada’s fisheries minister, said during an appearance before reporters at the National Press Club here.

A breakdown in salmon talks last summer angered British Columbia fishermen, who blocked an Alaska ferry from leaving its berth in Prince Rupert, B.C., for three days in July.

Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles announced Tuesday in Juneau that he was authorizing the resumption of ferry service because of assurances from Canadian officials and fishermen that there would be no more similar blockades.

The ferry Aurora is scheduled to depart today for Prince Rupert.

Anderson, in Washington to talk with government officials and conservationists about the salmon controversy, said he sees Knowles’ action as further evidence of relaxed tensions.

After the blockade, former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency chief William Ruckelshaus and former University of British Columbia President David Strangway were appointed to find ways to get the stalled talks on track.

Anderson said he is confident Ruckelshaus and Strangway will identify ways to get fishermen and government officials behind a plan on how to divide the salmon runs.

With no such agreement in place last summer, Canadians believe, Anderson said, that Alaska fishermen harvested as much as $35 million worth of salmon that had originated in Canadian waters and that British Columbia fishermen believe should have been theirs.