Salmon in the News
Bon Voyage Coho!
Salmon in the News
Wednesday, 22 May 2013 15:07
Picture of a Coho salmon smolt. Photos courtesy of Durmphoto at Oregon Wild
There’s a lot of activity in the streams right now as millions of wild Coho salmon smolts (Oncorhynchus kisutch) head out on their seaward migration. This peaks in late May during the period of maximum low tides when the moon is full. An interesting fact is that seaward movement of coho smolts does not appear to be related to either stream water levels or temperature. Streamkeepers and scientists have confirmed that movement is actually connected to the lunar cycle!
Coho and other Pacific salmon undergo transformation from stream-dwelling fish with vertically oval blobs of dark brown pigment (parr marks) to silver seaward-migrating smolts.
Smolting is a physiological and bio-chemical change that enables smolts to prepare for marine life. Once in tidal waters, the smolts move between the top freshwater layer and lower saltwater layer to stimulate three main changes that they will need to adapt to a marine life in the ocean.
The first and most amazing change is osmoreregulation, meaning changes in gill, kidney, gut, and bladder function to help increase the salmon’s salt tolerance. Moving from freshwater to salt water is very hard to do and few other species of animals can do this.
As the salmon smolt, they lose their parr marks and become silver in colour to help camouflage them in the brighter ocean water.
Salmon smolts learning to school
In addition salmon learn to school, that is staying in large groups for protection in a more open environment. In the stream when startled,they all swim indifferent directions looking for cover- which is the best defense from predators. In the ocean they school, moving together, as their defense against predators.
Statement of Pacific Salmon Foundation President and CEO Dr. Brian Riddell
Salmon in the News
Monday, 18 March 2013 08:23
March 18,2013
Commenting on Royal Assent Making Pacific Salmon an Official B.C. Emblem
VANCOUVER - Brian Riddell, president and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, made the following statement following news that Royal Assent has been given to the designation of Pacific salmon as an official provincial emblem. The proposed designation was included in Bill 8, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act of 2013.
Dr. Riddell said: “Naming Pacific salmon as a provincial emblem is much more than a symbolic act. It is a reminder to us all of the tremendous values associated with Pacific salmon in B.C. and that we all have responsibility for conserving and restoring this incredibly important natural resource. As the head of a foundation that is singularly focused on Pacific salmon restoration, I commend the provincial government, especially Environment Minister Terry Lake, for its leadership and for the $22 million that the provincial government has invested in Pacific salmon conservation since 2006.”
Since 2006, the provincial government has invested $22 million through the B.C. Living Rivers Trust, which has funded more than 330 projects to support habitat restoration, increased capacity for management and First Nations, and localized watershed planning. Funds directed to the Fraser River basin were partially matched by the Government of Canada to support Pacific Salmon conservation in an area that encompasses roughly one-third of the province. The Pacific Salmon Foundation partnered with two other environmental organizations, the Fraser Basin Council and Living Rivers Georgia Basin/Vancouver Island, to implement the mandate of the Living Rivers Trust, as well as to call for the designation of Pacific salmon as an official B.C. symbol.
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Contact: Elayne Sun, Pacific Salmon Foundation, (604) 664-7664 X 123, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
In Memory of Judge Alfred Scow
Salmon in the News
Friday, 08 March 2013 10:19
The Pacific Salmon Foundation would like to acknowledge with great sadness the passing of our former board member Judge (Alfred) Scow. Scow was a pioneer in the First Nations community through many inspirational “firsts.” He was the first First Nations to graduate from UBC Law, to be appointed in BC as a legally trained judge and to sit on the Foundation board.
Scow nurtured his love of fishing in his hometown of Alert Bay. Born the eldest of 16 children to then-Kwicksutaineuk chief William Scow and his wife Alice, Scow began fishing with his father at the age of six. By 15 he was fishing for salmon with his own boat and later financed his university education as a crewman on halibut and salmon boats. His education lead to a prolific career focused on advancing the position of aboriginal people in Canada, that was recognized by a gamut of commendations including the Order of Canada. He will be greatly missed by the many that benefited from his service, and several of the Foundation’s current board members who counted him as a close friend.
In respect to the Scow family’s request, the Foundation is pleased to make a donation to the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society in lieu of flowers. Please take a moment to read more about Judges Scow’s remarkable life and accomplishments on the UBC alumni page or view a great photo of Scow with his wife Joan.
In Memory of Judge Alfred Scow
Salmon in the News
Friday, 08 March 2013 10:19
The Pacific Salmon Foundation would like to acknowledge with great sadness the passing of our former board member Judge (Alfred) Scow. Scow was a pioneer in the First Nations community through many inspirational “firsts.” He was the first First Nations to graduate from UBC Law, to be appointed in BC as a legally trained judge and to sit on the Foundation board.
Scow nurtured his love of fishing in his hometown of Alert Bay. Born the eldest of 16 children to then-Kwicksutaineuk chief William Scow and his wife Alice, Scow began fishing with his father at the age of six. By 15 he was fishing for salmon with his own boat and later financed his university education as a crewman on halibut and salmon boats. His education lead to a prolific career focused on advancing the position of aboriginal people in Canada, that was recognized by a gamut of commendations including the Order of Canada. He will be greatly missed by the many that benefited from his service, and several of the Foundation’s current board members who counted him as a close friend.
In respect to the Scow family’s request, the Foundation is pleased to make a donation to the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society in lieu of flowers. Please take a moment to read more about Judges Scow’s remarkable life and accomplishments on the UBC alumni page or view a great photo of Scow with his wife Joan.
Volunteer Spotlight: Watership Stewardship Award Recognizes Jim Torry and Victor Elderton
Salmon in the News
Tuesday, 12 July 2011 11:05
(Above) Coho Society Co-Chair, Tom Boppart, presenting The Watershed Stewardship Award to Jim Torry.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation would like to join the Coho Society in recognizing Jim Torry of West Vancouver Streamkeepers and Victor Elderton of North Vancouver Outdoor School for thier contributions to salmon enhancement.
From time to time the Coho Society recognizes individuals who make a special contribution to North Shore’s salmonid enhancement cause.The two men were recipients of the 2011 Watershed Stewardship Awards presented at the Coho Society of the North Shore's 2011 Annual General Meeting on June 27, 2011.
Read more: Volunteer Spotlight: Watership Stewardship Award Recognizes Jim Torry and Victor Elderton
70 pound salmon caught off coast of Queen Charlotte Islands
Salmon in the News
Monday, 06 June 2011 11:45
One lucky angler, Steve Fancsy from Ontario, Canada hooked a 70.8 pound salmon over the weekend at Englefield Bay Lodge on the West side of Queen Charlotte Islands, taking home a $115,000 cash prize. Caught on the first day of the Annual Salmon Masters Tournament, the king salmon was the largest ever caught in the nine years the tournament has been running.
The tournament was run by West Coast Resorts and operates from June 2-4 at three of thier B.C. lodges: The Lodge at Hippa Island, The Lodge at Englefield Bay and The Lodge at Whale Channel on the central coastline of British Columbia just north of Bella Bella.
Read more: 70 pound salmon caught off coast of Queen Charlotte Islands
Show your fishing license this weekend and support salmon
Salmon in the News
Thursday, 19 May 2011 12:46
If you are hitting the road this weekend, you should know about a great way to support the Pacific Salmon Foundation. When you check in at any Accent Inn in B.C. and show your fishing license, you will trigger a donation to Pacific salmon restoration. The Foundation’s Mike Meneer sat down this week with Accent Inn’s John Espley to talk about ‘Fish for the Future”.
The Strait of Georgia: A neglected jewel in our own backyards
Salmon in the News
Thursday, 12 May 2011 11:43
An article in the May 5 online edition of Scientific American, discusses a recent theory that suggests salmon leukemia may be a major culprit for declines in returning Fraser sockeye populations. According to a quote from Foundation president Dr. Brian Riddell, “changing the environmental quality in the Strait of Georgia” could provide a major solution to the problem.
The article “Upstream Battle: What Is Killing Off the Fraser River's Sockeye Salmon?” is based on a study by a team of scientists led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Lead study author was Kristi Miller-Saunders, a molecular geneticist at Fisheries and Oceans Canada.Read more: The Strait of Georgia: A neglected jewel in our own backyards
Bear Creek Nature Park Unveiled
Salmon in the News
Thursday, 05 May 2011 13:13
This February, the Pacific Salmon Foundation granted $100,000 to Ducks Unlimited for a 161 acre protected wildlife land purchase on the Oyster River called Bear Creek Nature Park. Land title was jointly registered under Ducks Unlimited and the Comox Valley Regional District. The Oyster River Enhancement Society will be working closely with the district to provide recreational and public education opportunities through operation of their volunteer-run hatchery located in the park. The society provides opportunities for involvement through events, volunteerism, sponsorship and educational programs.
Foundation salmon director honored for volunteerism
Salmon in the News
Wednesday, 27 April 2011 15:49
Volunteer Streamkeepers are truly the backbone of Pacific Salmon Foundation programs and its ability to make an impact for Pacific salmon in British Columbia. These volunteers toil for countless hours in B.C. streams and creeks – ensuring that Pacific salmon have a clean place to return to and spawn. Needless to say, the Foundation was very proud to learn that one of its own was honored through the Coquitlam 2011 Volunteer Recognition Awards. Last week , director of salmon programs Dianne Ramage was mentioned in an article “Port Coquitlam honors its volunteers,” for her thousands of hours of volunteerism dedicated to environment protection and enhancement.
Read more: Foundation salmon director honored for volunteerism
Salmon Leukemia: Key to Salmon Declines?
Salmon in the News
Wednesday, 20 April 2011 09:12
Devastating Pacific salmon losses over the last decade have provoked wide-spread public concern, and more recently the Cohen Commission to investigate possible causes. As a "keystone species" in British Columbia, Pacific salmon support more than 130 other species as a vital nutrient source. To the people of British Columbia, they are an economic driver creating more than two billion dollars in recreational fishing spin-offs and serving as cultural cornerstones to the First Nations and many fishing communities that dot the West Coast. Their disappearance would cause a negative cascading effect for our environment, economy and culture.
Now a new theory has emerged hypothesizing that wild salmon are suffering from a viral infection that could be linked to genes associated with leukemia and lymphoma. Foundation CEO and president Dr. Brian Riddell commented in an article in the March 20 edition of the province "Leukemia-type virus may be killing Fraser River salmon: Dead fish swimming' up river after infected in open Pacific." that discusses the new theory.
Outstanding Volunteer May Get Named Building
Salmon in the News
Monday, 18 April 2011 09:14
Last week the Burnaby Newsleader ran a story about Jennifer Atchison, an extraordinary volunteer and streamkeeper that the Foundation had the honor of getting to know through her years of dedication with the Stoney Creek Streamkeeper Group. According to the story “Building could be named for Jennifer Atchison,” a portable located on the grounds of Stoney Creek Community School is being considered for a name change in recognition of her legacy of dedication to protecting and improving the salmon resource.
Atchison passed away after a brave battle with cancer on August 20, 2010 leaving behind many friends, family, admirers and a legacy of accomplishments. The Foundation had the honor of awarding Atchison’s service to salmon conservation in British Columbia at the Vancouver Dinner last year. The award was named for the Foundation’s first chairman George Hungerford, and was created to recognize an outstanding community volunteer with a long record of service to B.C. salmon conservation. As part of the award, Atchison was able to direct a $10,000 grant to her streamkeeping group for future projects.
Salmon in the News
Salmon in the News
Thursday, 31 March 2011 12:26
Foundation CEO and president Dr. Brian Riddell lent his support and commentary in an article on CBC News on March 31. The article Strong salmon hearts may hedge against climate change, discusses a unique adaptation of sockeye salmon and underlines the mystery still surrounding them.
The article comes at at time when public interest regarding Fraser sockeye has been fueled by two consecutive years of vastly polarized returns and the current Cohen commission. The article also discusses the survival of sockeye from Chilko Lake. Last year, the Pacific Salmon Foundation in partnership with Rocky Mountaineer Vacations spearheaded a groundbreaking study to determine where and when Chilko Lake Fraser sockeye were dying along the migration route.
Salmon Are In Everything
Salmon in the News
Friday, 25 March 2011 12:45
Excellent article on the front page of the Vancouver Sun today called "Salmon play hidden role in forest growth, researchers find."
Did you know that more than 130 species depend on salmon? That's why supporting the Pacific Salmon Foundation is supporting the overall environment. You can show support for Pacific salmon and the environment today with a secure online donation.
One of the most important things Pacific salmon do is die. When they return to spawn, salmon become a conveyor belt of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, protein and fat. As the bodies of spawning salmon break down, nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients become available to streamside vegetation. According to Dr. Tom Reimchen of the University of Victoria, the nitrogen in salmon carcasses is a critical tree fertilizer and trees on the banks of salmon-rich rivers grow faster than their counterparts.
Salmon and Climate Change
Salmon in the News
Wednesday, 09 March 2011 16:48
Pacific salmon are a “keystone” species in British Columbia that need to be protected. Their homes stretch from mountain streams to the middle of the ocean and more than 130 species are dependent on salmon abundance for survival. This is why organizations like the Pacific Salmon Foundation are necessary to galvanize support for this invaluable resource and continue educating people and organizations on what needs to be done for their continued survival. We often speak of the threats of overfishing, commercial development and disease to salmon survival. But an article in the Vancouver Sun yesterday Shrinking ice threatens to disrupt Artic ecosystem, reminded us about one seldom discussed but equally dangerous threat – climate change.
Salmon in the News
Salmon in the News
Friday, 25 February 2011 16:14
We thought you might be interested in our perspective on articles in the February 24 editions of the Vancouver Sun and Globe and Mail respectively called, Eagles haunt the dump after chum run fails and Starving eagles 'falling out of the sky'.
Our thoughts…
Chum salmon are typically a low economic value salmon species with little government investment being committed to their management or assessment. But, we think yesterday's articles showed that salmon provide vital contributions that are often more difficult to measure and sometimes overlooked – namely cultural and environmental.Salmon in the News
Salmon in the News
Tuesday, 15 February 2011 11:09
We thought you might be interested in our perspective on a front-page story from today’s Vancouver Sun, Fertilizers boost declining B.C. fish populations.
Our thoughts…
Streams, rivers and their ecosystems need healthy and abundant salmon populations to thrive and some community salmon projects supported by the Foundation have used fertilizers to augment the nutrients provided to their watersheds by salmon carcasses. We think today’s article in the Sun is certainly “good news” on this front because it highlights a new fertilizer made from recycled municipal waste that is more cost-efficient and cleaner to produce – less carbon emissions and fewer contaminants.
Economic Dimensions of Skeena Watershed Salmonid Fisheries Study Released
Salmon in the News
Wednesday, 03 December 2008 06:37
The Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) is pleased to release the Economic Dimensions of Skeena Watershed Salmonid Fisheries study – an associate report to the Skeena Independent Science Review Panel Report released in May 2008.
The Skeena River watershed is one of the most highly productive river systems on earth. Skeena River salmonids provide food, ceremonial and economic benefit to First Nations of the Skeena as well as provide significant, globally recognized opportunities for commercial fisheries and sport angling. There is considerable desire to maximize conservation goals for the Skeena salmonids while realizing potential economic benefits for Northern BC communities from improved fisheries management in the watershed.
Read more: Economic Dimensions of Skeena Watershed Salmonid Fisheries Study Released
Skeena Independent Science Review Panel Releases Salmon Management Recommendations
Salmon in the News
Monday, 20 October 2008 03:26
The Pacific Salmon Foundation is pleased to release the findings and recommendations of the Skeena Independent Science Review Panel (SISRP). The Panel used the best available data to review current scientific knowledge and management of salmon and steelhead in the Skeena River watershed, one of the most diverse and productive salmon-bearing ecosystems in the world. The Panel identified additional monitoring and data collection that would be needed to improve fisheries management and implement Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy (WSP).
Read more: Skeena Independent Science Review Panel Releases Salmon Management Recommendations
Rivers Inlet mystery: What happened to the sockeye?
Salmon in the News
Monday, 20 October 2008 03:25
Desiree Tommasi, Special to the Sun
Published: Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Imagine millions of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) coming back to spawn, sustaining first nations people and supporting a thriving fishing industry.
Welcome to Rivers Inlet in the 1920s, and what used to be the third-largest sockeye salmon run on the coast of British Columbia after the Skeena and the Fraser. More than a million fish are heading towards the head of the inlet, up the Wannock River and into Oweekeno Lake to spawn. Many canneries dot the inlet, employing people from all over the province and the world -- Chinese workers looking for jobs after the railway completion, Japanese fishermen, and even Scandinavians, after whom Scandinavia Bay in the inlet is named.
Read more: Rivers Inlet mystery: What happened to the sockeye?
Salmon River on at-risk list
Salmon in the News
Monday, 20 October 2008 03:24
The Salmon River has earned the dubious distinction of being named one of the most at-risk rivers in the province.
It scored 11th out of 13 rivers included in the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.'s most endangered rivers for 2008.
The Recreation Council solicits nominations for its annual list from its member groups, which total 120,000 members, as well as from the general public and resource managers from across the province. Submissions are reviewed by a panel of some of B.C.'s best-known river conservationists.
Attention to Detail
Salmon in the News
Monday, 20 October 2008 03:23
TPaul J. Henderson, The Times
Published: Friday, January 18, 2008
For Laura Levitsky there are no broad strokes.From the folds of a frost-covered leaf to the tiny beak of a spring chickadee to the rusting metal of an abandoned truck, the Chilliwack artist's attention to detail gives her vivid nature paintings a lifelike, almost photographic quality.And for someone who has been painting seriously for less than 10 years, Levitsky's work is of a very high quality, and is captivating to anyone who has enjoyed nature. Her paintings of salmon are a particular hit with fishermen, and one of a chinook won second place in the 2007 Pacific Salmon Foundation National Stamp Competition."I've sold across Canada and the U.S.," she said. "I'm trying to make a name for myself, but it's really competitive."
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