BC-born Wild Salmon Day celebrated worldwide for first time
BC-born Wild Salmon Day celebrated worldwide for first time
May 26, 2025
Vancouver, B.C. – First launched six years ago in British Columbia, Wild Salmon Day has grown into an international movement.
Established by the Province of British Columbia in 2019, Wild Salmon Day began as a day of recognition to celebrate the vital cultural and ecological role of salmon in B.C. and the Yukon. In 2025, Wild Salmon Day is crossing borders.
On June 1, 2025, organizations from both coasts, including the Pacific Salmon Foundation (B.C.), First Nations Fisheries Council of B.C., Atlantic Salmon Trust (U.K.), and Atlantic Salmon Federation (Atlantic Canada) are joining forces to build international momentum for wild salmon recovery.
Wild Salmon Day 2025 is a powerful international call to protect salmon before it’s too late. Pacific and Atlantic wild salmon may inhabit opposite coasts, but they face many shared challenges, including climate change, overfishing, disease, and habitat loss.
Across the globe, individuals and organizations are invited to ‘raise the flag’ on June 1 by sharing a new Wild Salmon Day flag symbol on social media and signing a public declaration that calls for urgent action to protect wild salmon and their habitats.
The Wild Salmon Declaration, available online and accepting signatures, is an international call to action to prioritize policies and investments to support wild salmon recovery and resilience to ensure wild salmon have access to cold, clean water and healthy rivers and oceans.
Locally, Canada’s West Coast proudly celebrates Wild Salmon Day. The Province of British Columbia and the Yukon have both officially proclaimed June 1 as Wild Salmon Day. Several municipalities, including Squamish, Surrey, Nanaimo, Victoria, Port Alberni, and Prince Rupert, have also joined the movement.
To mark the day, well-known landmarks will light up in recognition of Wild Salmon Day, including BC Place, Science World, and Canada Place in Vancouver, the Bastion in Nanaimo, and the fountain at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation has also launched two limited-edition Wild Salmon Day t-shirts available for pre-order, celebrating salmon and the people working to protect them.
For resources, graphics, and ways to get involved, visit wildsalmonday.com.
QUOTES
“An Indigenous worldview exists everywhere water flows. Stories, songs, and art attached to these places speak to the high respect humans held for the water and the wealth it provided. There was a huge sense of security knowing that these waters would produce salmon each year and provide sustenance forever. On June 1, let us acknowledge our relatives, wild salmon, while striving to build a relationship again so we can introduce them to our grandchildren.” – Stu Barnes, Executive Director, First Nations Fisheries Council of British Columbia
“Around the world, people are working hard to save and restore wild salmon. On June 1, British Columbia, Atlantic Canada, the United Kingdom, and others are coming together to raise the flag for Wild Salmon Day. These fish – both Pacific and Atlantic – need our help. By working together, we can raise awareness for the challenges wild salmon face and help drive meaningful change for salmon.” – Michael Meneer, CEO and President, Pacific Salmon Foundation
“In B.C., wild salmon are significant to both our cultural well-being and healthy ecosystems. They’re also facing big challenges, which is why we’re committed to restoring critical habitats and helping with the recovery of wild salmon in our rivers, lakes and streams. Wild Salmon Day began as a B.C.-led initiative to raise awareness, and it’s great to have our Atlantic partners join us in this important work. Wild salmon know no borders, and I’m happy to see this recognition spread across Canada and the world.”— Hon. Randene Neill, B.C. Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
MEDIA CONTACT
Braela Kwan
Communications Specialist
604-664-7664 ext. 1025
