Few things unite the Pacific Northwest’s culture, economy and ecology like food. But sometimes the ingredients we eat are also divisive. Take salmon as an example. These fish used to be very common in the area, but overfishing and dams built by western settlers have hurt them. Now, despite monumental efforts, some salmon species are endangered. Still, these fish are very important to the Indigenous cultures that have known for thousands of years how to manage the resource in a way that doesn’t harm it.
“Superabundant” is OPB’s video series dedicated to the stories behind the foods you love. As we study salmon, we talk to Indigenous fishermen, traders, and scientists who have learned to adapt to a world that is changing and who are working to get these fish back to a time when there are plenty of them. THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
Zach Penney, who runs the fisheries science department at the Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, tells a story from the treaty tribes of the Columbia about how people came to be. It said that the Creator asked all the animals what they could do to help people stay alive since people didn’t know how to eat. According to the legend, the salmon volunteered to help.
“Salmon was the first animal to stand up. It said, ‘I offer my body for sustenance for these new people,’” Penney said.
“‘I’ll go to far-off places and I’ll bring back gifts to the people. They should let me go back to where I was born, and I should also lose my voice while I do these good things for people. Their role is to speak up for me in the times that I can’t speak for myself. ”.
The fish are used in important tribal ceremonies, and many Native American tribes base their way of life on knowing how to catch and take care of salmon. Many tribes also continue to eat salmon as a major part of their diets.
In September, Sean McConville (Nez Perce, Yakama) and two other fishermen helped catch a salmon in a net at the Avery treaty fishing site in the Columbia River Gorge. 17, 2021.
“There is a lot of Indigenous knowledge within the landscape here in the Columbia River,” Penney explained.
He said, “You don’t live somewhere for 16,000 years and not learn something or mess it up.”
With sparkling rivers winding past mountain peaks and along rocky coastlines, the great Canadian province of British Columbia provides the ideal habitat for salmon As a result, British Columbia has become synonymous with salmon, producing more wild salmon than any other region in the world. For salmon lovers and fishing enthusiasts, BC is a paradise Let’s explore what makes this westernmost province famous for its incredible salmon fishery.
Why British Columbia is Ideal for Salmon
Several key factors make British Columbia the salmon capital of the world:
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Abundant cold, clean rivers and lakes – Salmon thrive in BC’s freshwater ecosystems fed by snowmelt and rainfall flowing from the mountains. Major salmon rivers include the Fraser, Skeena, Nass and Thompson.
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Extensive coastline and ocean access – BC boasts 27,000 km of coastline and thousands of islands perfect for salmon migrating from freshwater to the sea and back.
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High rainfall and snowpack – BC gets over 55 inches of rain yearly and has heavy winter snows, especially in the mountains This meltwater nourishes salmon habitat.
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Protected wildlife areas – Large tracts of BC landscape are protected parks and wilderness preserves, keeping habitats pristine.
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Strict fishing regulations – British Columbia closely regulates fishing with limits, quotas and seasonal restrictions to ensure healthy, sustainable salmon populations.
These prime natural conditions allow Pacific salmon species like sockeye, coho, chinook, pink and chum to thrive in BC waters.
BC Salmon Species and Runs
BC has healthy populations of all five Pacific salmon species, each with its own migration patterns:
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Sockeye – The most abundant salmon in BC makes an incredible journey from the ocean up the Fraser River to spawn in the Fraser’s tributary lakes and channels. The Adams River run is the largest.
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Coho – These silver-blue salmon head up coastal rivers like the Campbell and Salmon Rivers from October to December to reach their spawning grounds.
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Chinook – Also called king salmon, these beasts swim north along the coast from California and Oregon to the mighty Skeena and Nass Rivers to spawn.
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Pink – The most petite salmon species fills rivers like the Fraser, Thompson and Nass with their runs between August and September.
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Chum – These salmon make their fall run up north and central coast rivers as far as the Nass and Skeena from October to November.
From the first sockeye runs in the summer to the last chum runs of late fall, salmon provide a year-round spectacle in BC.
Iconic BC Salmon Fisheries and Destinations
From coastal communities to crystal rivers, here are some top places to experience BC’s salmon:
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Adams River – The “salmon capital of the world” sees millions of sockeye salmon swimming upstream near Kamloops and Shuswap Lake in the fall.
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Babine River – Famous for its chinook salmon, this Bulkley Valley river offers superb summer and fall fishing.
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Campbell River – Located on Vancouver Island north of Nanaimo, the Campbell is acclaimed for coho and chinook salmon fishing.
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Knight Inlet – One of BC’s many bountiful coastal inlets, Knight Inlet attracts grizzlies feasting on the nutrient-rich salmon runs.
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Haida Gwaii – The islands off BC’s north coast contain superb salmon rivers like the Yakoun, where massive chinook salmon return to spawn.
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Skeena River – This northern BC river sees huge sockeye, pink, chum and coho runs that bears rely on.
The Vital Role of Salmon
Beyond sustaining world-class fisheries, salmon are a lifeblood species in British Columbia:
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Over 140 indigenous First Nations rely on salmon for food, culture and livelihood. Salmon are integrated into indigenous art, ceremonies and traditions.
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Salmon directly support economic activity from fishing, processing, tourism and more totalling over $1 billion yearly.
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As a nutrient-rich food source, salmon nourishes people and provides protein, healthy fats and essential vitamins.
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When salmon migrate from ocean to rivers to spawn, they transport key nutrients to bears, eagles and other wildlife that feast on the bounty.
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After spawning and dying, salmon decompose and supply nutrients to river ecosystems, feeding the river food web.
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Hatcheries across BC help propagate millions of juvenile salmon to support wild populations.
Salmon’s cultural, economic and ecological importance cements its status as a provincial icon and BC’s most treasured natural resource.
Challenges Facing BC’s Salmon
While salmon remain strong in BC, concerning long-term threats loom:
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Climate change – Rising water temperatures and changing ocean conditions may impact salmon survival and ecosystems.
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Habitat loss – Activities like logging, mining, agriculture, and development destroy or degrade salmon habitat.
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Overfishing – Monitoring and managing commercial, sport and First Nations fishing is crucial to prevent overexploitation of salmon runs.
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Predation – Growing seal and sea lion populations eat more salmon, magnifying the need for balanced marine ecosystem management.
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Fish farming – Farmed Atlantic salmon competes with wild Pacific salmon for habitat and resources and spreads disease.
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Pollution – Contaminants from agricultural runoff, wastewater and industrial activity can damage salmon health.
Protecting salmon habitat, limiting fishing pressures, controlling predators, restricting fish farming, reducing pollution and mitigating climate impacts are key to safeguarding BC’s salmon legacy.
Celebrating BC Salmon Culture
BC’s salmon heritage remains an integral part of life in the province. Annual salmon festivals and community events showcase regional pride:
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Adams River Salmon Society Festival – Celebrating sockeye salmon returns with a salmon barbecue, entertainment, education and cultural displays.
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Salmon Fest in Campbell River – Family activities and salmon tastings honour the legacy of salmon in this sport fishing paradise.
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Pacific Salmon Foundation Dinner and Auction – A high-profile event in Vancouver raising funds for salmon conservation programs.
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Haida Gwaii Salmon Homecoming Festival – Raising awareness of sustainable salmon fisheries and Haida traditions.
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BC Salmon Farmers Association Info Salmon BBQs – Promoting BC’s sustainable salmon farms through free community BBQs with wild and farmed salmon.
Through these celebrations, British Columbia pays homage to the salmon that built the province and continue to sustain its people, wildlife and economy.
So next time you enjoy wild salmon, be sure to recognize the pristine rivers, coastlines and communities of British Columbia that allow these mighty fish to thrive as a world-class sustainable fishery.
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Few things unite the Pacific Northwest’s culture, economy and ecology like food. But sometimes the ingredients we eat are also divisive. Take salmon as an example. These fish used to be very common in the area, but overfishing and dams built by western settlers have hurt them. Now, despite monumental efforts, some salmon species are endangered. Still, these fish are very important to the Indigenous cultures that have known for thousands of years how to manage the resource in a way that doesn’t harm it.
“Superabundant” is OPB’s video series dedicated to the stories behind the foods you love. As we study salmon, we talk to Indigenous fishermen, traders, and scientists who have learned to adapt to a world that is changing and who are working to get these fish back to a time when there are plenty of them. THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
Zach Penney, who runs the fisheries science department at the Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, tells a story from the treaty tribes of the Columbia about how people came to be. It said that the Creator asked all the animals what they could do to help people stay alive since people didn’t know how to eat. According to the legend, the salmon volunteered to help.
“Salmon was the first animal to stand up. It said, ‘I offer my body for sustenance for these new people,’” Penney said.
“‘I’ll go to far-off places and I’ll bring back gifts to the people. They should let me go back to where I was born, and I should also lose my voice while I do these good things for people. Their role is to speak up for me in the times that I can’t speak for myself. ”.
The fish are used in important tribal ceremonies, and many Native American tribes base their way of life on knowing how to catch and take care of salmon. Many tribes also continue to eat salmon as a major part of their diets.
In September, Sean McConville (Nez Perce, Yakama) and two other fishermen helped catch a salmon in a net at the Avery treaty fishing site in the Columbia River Gorge. 17, 2021.
Arya Surowidjojo / OPB
“There is a lot of Indigenous knowledge within the landscape here in the Columbia River,” Penney explained.
He said, “You don’t live somewhere for 16,000 years and not learn something or mess it up.”
Family and tribal traditions today
Brigette McConville owns Salmon King on the Warm Springs Reservation in Warm Springs, Oregon. The store specializes in salmon and beads. Husband Sean McConville is a fisherman who provides fish for the store.
“The sale of fish is something that our people have always done,” Brigette McConville said. She trades salmon and is a member of the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Northern Paiute tribes. She is also vice chair of the Warm Springs Tribal Council.
“I always look for the fish that have no blemishes or bruises. So there’s a clean cut and it’s pretty,” she said. “Our wind-dried salmon: It’s the oldest processing that we have. It hasn’t changed from forever. Salmon King also has an online store with delivery, a catering service, cultural experiences, and schooling.
Brigette McConville (Warm Springs, Wasco, and Northern Paiute), a fish cutter and business owner, cooks salmon the traditional way, on September 18, 2021. Take off the meat’s head and bones. Cut it into strips, salt them, and hang them to dry for a few days.
Arya Surowidjojo / OPB
“Whoever works with fish, it’s important to be happy. The old saying, ‘don’t cook when you’re mad,’ that’s true in every culture,” Brigette McConville said.
“When I’m catching every fish, my mind is filled with happy thoughts of a young boy who is happy when he eats candy for the first time,” Sean McConville agreed.
“My dad was Nez Perce. My mom was Nez Perce/Yakama, but I consider myself from the Columbia River,” he said.
“I’m a fisherman. Born and raised a fisherman,” he said. “We’re fighting for our food. We’re not fighting just for a commercial fishery. We’re fighting for families to have food at home. ”THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
As Penney of the Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission put it, “The tribes have relied on this species, these animals, since the beginning of time.” A lot of our wealth was accumulated from having abundant salmon runs,” he said.
All 10 PROVINCES in CANADA Ranked WORST to BEST
Where are the best salmon runs in Canada?
Exploits River, Newfoundland While the west coast of Canada is rightly famous for its salmon runs, the east coast has its fair share of spectacularly migrations too. Exploits River in Newfoundland is arguably the best, especially around Grand Falls. The salmon run starts a little earlier here, with fish first appearing at the end of August.
Where is the best salmon run in Newfoundland?
Exploits River in Newfoundland is arguably the best, especially around Grand Falls. The salmon run starts a little earlier here, with fish first appearing at the end of August. There’s a Salmon Interpretive Centre here too, with an underwater observatory where you can watch the salmon jumping up a salmon ladder. 6. Campbell River, British Columbia
How much is BC salmon worth?
The waters around British Columbia run with wild salmon. Pacific salmon have played a central role in many First Nations cultures, and today, the BC wild salmon industry is worth somewhere between $150 and $250 million, according to the advocacy group BC Salmon.
Why is salmon important in BC?
The return of salmon to BC’s rivers is an important event not only for the salmon but also for other wildlife. Salmon are a vital source of food for bears, eagles, wolves, bald eagles and many other animals. Salmon are also part of the spiritual and cultural identity of many First Nations in BC.