Salmon

Rainbow trout infected with whirling disease which damages the backbone of the fish causing them to swim in a “whirling” pattern. (Photo: Sascha Hallett, fishpathogens.net)

Concerns raised about possibility of invasive fish disease in B.C. waters

Whirling disease has decreased fish populations by 90 per cent in certain regions

Rainbow trout infected with whirling disease which damages the backbone of the fish causing them to swim in a “whirling” pattern. (Photo: Sascha Hallett, fishpathogens.net)
Members of the Mill Bay Conservation Society have helped thousands of salmon pass human barriers to their spawning grounds in Shawnigan Creek. The group will celebrate Earth Day on Friday by carrying a record-breaking 7,300 returning Coho salmon in a single season — 30 times more than 15 years ago when the society started counting the fish they carry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Mill Bay and District Conservation Society **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Mill Bay conservation group moves thousands of salmon to produce millions of eggs

Human-propelled salmon run carrying thousands of spawning salmon from a fish trap in the Salish Sea

Members of the Mill Bay Conservation Society have helped thousands of salmon pass human barriers to their spawning grounds in Shawnigan Creek. The group will celebrate Earth Day on Friday by carrying a record-breaking 7,300 returning Coho salmon in a single season — 30 times more than 15 years ago when the society started counting the fish they carry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Mill Bay and District Conservation Society **MANDATORY CREDIT**
Mark Saunders, director of the International Year of the Salmon, introduces the team of researchers behind their latest expedition. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Scientists return to Victoria from winter expedition researching Pacific salmon

Researchers studying impact of changing climate on decreasing salmon population

Mark Saunders, director of the International Year of the Salmon, introduces the team of researchers behind their latest expedition. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
The Ahousaht Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society is working to restore vital salmon habitats throughout Clayoquot Sound. (MHSS photo)

Ahousaht First Nation celebrates salmon ambassadors

Supporters of stewardship fee cheered at Tofino Hatchery

The Ahousaht Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society is working to restore vital salmon habitats throughout Clayoquot Sound. (MHSS photo)
Spawning sockeye salmon make their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. A coalition of Canadian groups wants Alaska's governor to halt that state's harvest of Canadian-bound salmon, and the groups are also criticizing the international treaty that prevents overfishing of Pacific salmon stocks.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Groups criticize Pacific salmon treaty, urge Alaska to protect B.C.-bound salmon

Report says only 110,000 sockeye were commercially harvested in all of B.C. in 2021

Spawning sockeye salmon make their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. A coalition of Canadian groups wants Alaska's governor to halt that state's harvest of Canadian-bound salmon, and the groups are also criticizing the international treaty that prevents overfishing of Pacific salmon stocks.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Phil Griffith is helped by volunteers to unload trash from his boat. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Volunteers tackle underwater garbage in Campbell River estuary

Since beginning of project, over 700 tires pulled out of area

Phil Griffith is helped by volunteers to unload trash from his boat. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
A dead chinook salmon is seen on the beach next to the Harrison River in Harrison Mills, B.C. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Pacific Salmon Treaty fails to conserve B.C. fish, say advocates

Advocates say the public needs to apply pressure on both sides of the border

A dead chinook salmon is seen on the beach next to the Harrison River in Harrison Mills, B.C. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A king salmon is laid out for inspection by Alaska Department of Fish and Game at the Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor officials at last year’s Golden North Salmon Derby on Aug. 25, 2019. Despite some setbacks the derby will take place this year, though with some changes to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Feds leaving West Coast fishing sector to flounder after salmon closures, harvesters say

United Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Union wonders why industry hasn’t had climate compensation

A king salmon is laid out for inspection by Alaska Department of Fish and Game at the Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor officials at last year’s Golden North Salmon Derby on Aug. 25, 2019. Despite some setbacks the derby will take place this year, though with some changes to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Salmon spawn in the Tahsis River. Photo courtesy Nootka Sound Watershed Society

$904,000 riparian and habitat restoration project nears completion in Nootka Sound

A three-year riparian restoration project conducted by the Nootka Sound Watershed Society…

  • Mar 3, 2022
Salmon spawn in the Tahsis River. Photo courtesy Nootka Sound Watershed Society
Christoph Deeg, Pacific Salmon Foundation researcher. Photo by Alanna D Photography.

New Pacific Salmon Foundation research sheds new light on open ocean survival

Study examines relationship between environmental conditions, pathogens, and gene expression

Christoph Deeg, Pacific Salmon Foundation researcher. Photo by Alanna D Photography.
A B.C. aquaculture facility. Black Press file photo

Industry report: not renewing B.C. salmon farm licenses comes with $1.2 billion cost

Economic analysis says 4,700 jobs depend on 79 licenses set to expire at the end of June

A B.C. aquaculture facility. Black Press file photo
Spawning sockeye salmon, a species of pacific salmon, are seen making their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C., on Oct. 14, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Advocates say Canada can’t save struggling B.C. salmon stocks without Alaska’s help

Pacific Salmon Treaty failing to address harvest of B.C. fish by American fishers, observers say

Spawning sockeye salmon, a species of pacific salmon, are seen making their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C., on Oct. 14, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A diagram of the semi-closed containment system Grieg Seafood BC Ltd. has trialed, showing tarp barriers extended (cropped for web). Figure courtesy Grieg.

Grieg expanding use of semi-closed salmon farm system off Island’s West Coast

Made-in-BC technology resulted in lower sea lice levels in trial, company says

A diagram of the semi-closed containment system Grieg Seafood BC Ltd. has trialed, showing tarp barriers extended (cropped for web). Figure courtesy Grieg.
St. Magaret’s School Grade 5 student, Sofie Owen, prepares to throw a salmon carcass into Douglas Creek as part of restoration efforts. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich students enhance science studies with annual salmon toss at Mount Doug

More than 100 frozen salmon launched into Douglas Creek to enrich stream’s ecosystem

St. Magaret’s School Grade 5 student, Sofie Owen, prepares to throw a salmon carcass into Douglas Creek as part of restoration efforts. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada closes recreational salmon fishing in the Skeena River watershed, including the Bulkley River. (Contributed Photo)

Northwest B.C. First Nations outraged by Alaskan interception of salmon

Gitxsan, Gitanyow, and Wet’suwet’en call on government to protect constitutional fishing rights

Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada closes recreational salmon fishing in the Skeena River watershed, including the Bulkley River. (Contributed Photo)
A king salmon is laid out for inspection by Alaska Department of Fish and Game at the Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor officials during the Golden North Salmon Derby on Aug. 25, 2019. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

New report suggests Alaskan fisheries are overharvesting plummeting B.C. salmon stocks

Alaska criticized report, calling it was an “unfair and biased attack on Alaska salmon fisheries

A king salmon is laid out for inspection by Alaska Department of Fish and Game at the Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor officials during the Golden North Salmon Derby on Aug. 25, 2019. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Approximately 30,000 chum salmon eggs were planted in Bowker Creek on Jan. 22. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Approximately 30,000 chum salmon eggs were planted in Bowker Creek on Jan. 22. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Friends of Bowker Creek Society members visit the Goldstream Hatchery to participate in a chinook salmon egg harvest. (Courtesy Gerald Harris)

Incubating salmon eggs may make early entry to Oak Bay creek bed

Volunteers hustle to repair November damage to Bowker Creek

Friends of Bowker Creek Society members visit the Goldstream Hatchery to participate in a chinook salmon egg harvest. (Courtesy Gerald Harris)
Spawning sockeye salmon are seen making their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Logging in watersheds among stressors for declining Pacific salmon, experts say

Clear-cuts have disrupted the landscape’s natural mechanisms for mitigating floods and landslides

Spawning sockeye salmon are seen making their way up the Adams River in Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park near Chase, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Coastal Server, a vessel with a mechanical sea lice removal system. Photo courtesy Grieg Seafood BC.

Grieg launching new vessel to tackle sea lice at its Vancouver Island fish farms

Mechanical system reduces need for medicinal or chemical treatment, company says

Coastal Server, a vessel with a mechanical sea lice removal system. Photo courtesy Grieg Seafood BC.