The idea underlying Salmon Strongholds is to ensure thriving fish habitat conditions where it is most crucial to maintain the abundance, productivity and diversity of wild Pacific salmon species and populations. It emphasizes the prevention of problems and reduction of threats to wild salmon in geographical areas of particular importance, complementing the emphasis in recent years on crisis management of salmon stocks.
In 2008, the Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (PFRCC) decided to explore innovative long-term salmon habitat strategies, especially in light of climate change and emerging water issues. The PFRCC identified the potential of the Salmon Strongholds approach to supplement existing programs and reinforce Canada’s salmon and steelhead conservation effort.