Remembering Champions of Pacific Salmon: Peter McCully and Pat George
The salmon conservation community in British Columbia recently lost two remarkable individuals: Peter McCully and Pat George. Their passion for salmon, stewardship, and education touched countless people and contributed to healthier salmon populations for generations to come.
As the Pacific Salmon Foundation reflects on their impact, we are reminded of a well-known quote in conservation circles:
“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” – Baba Dioum.
Peter McCully’s connection to salmon began on the Goldstream River in his youth and continued after his distinguished military service through decades of leadership with the Howard English Hatchery, the Goldstream Volunteer Salmonid Enhancement Association, and other stewardship groups across Vancouver Island. As a biologist, mentor, and technical advisor, Peter inspired countless emerging leaders and left a lasting mark on salmon stewardship. PSF was proud to recognize Peter as our Annual Patron at this year’s 30th annual South Vancouver Island Gala.
To honour Peter’s wishes, donations can be made to the Peter McCully Salmon Education and Research Fund, which supports education and research related to Pacific salmon and the ecosystems that sustain them.
Pat George was a creative, meticulous, and well-known artist and a retired professor from the art program at the University of Victoria, of which he was a part of for more than 30 years. Pat was also an avid angler and salmon conservationist. He generously gave his time to PSF, volunteering on the South Vancouver Island Gala organizing committee since its inception and as a judge for the Salmon Conservation Stamp art competition. Pat also supported PSF fundraising efforts with many donations of his art. Featured above is Pat’s most recent salmon-themed poster supporting our 30th South Vancouver Island gala.
“I had the pleasure of knowing both Pat and Peter early in my tenure with PSF, going back 16 years now. After speaking at an event in honour of Peter in March 2025, he asked me and PSF to always support the salmon stewardship community, and to build stronger bridges with Indigenous communities for the good of Pacific salmon. Knowing Pat as we did, I am sure he would have agreed with Peter,” says Michael Meneer, President & CEO, Pacific Salmon Foundation.
“Thank you, Peter and Pat. Tight lines where you are.”
We are deeply grateful for the passion and knowledge that Peter and Pat shared for Pacific salmon. Their legacies live on in the work of the stewardship community, and in PSF’s commitment to protect and restore wild salmon for future generations.
