Thousands of people gathered for the “Salmon are Sacred Rally” at the Legislature today to demand that industrial fish farms be immediately removed from Canada’s West Coast waters.

Communities for Wild Salmon, The Wild Salmon Circle and the Wilderness Committee have joined together to organize the event which is the largest rally in support of wild salmon ever, and the grand finale of a walk for wild salmon known as the “Get Out Migration”. 

“Time is running out for our wild salmon. It is time that our governments put wild salmon before corporate profit,” said noted biologist and author Alexandra Morton from salmonaresacred.org

Over the last two weeks, Morton and a handful of supporters have walked from Sointula in the fish farm infested Broughton Archipelago to Victoria. Their “Get Out Migration” has involved thousands of people with diverse interests and backgrounds who have taken a stand against industrial fish farms. First Nations, artists, political leaders, environment groups and commercial fishermen have all walked with Morton.

"Without the wild salmon, the entire West Coast ecosystem is endangered: this affects everyone, from First Nations fishers to commercial fishers, the bears, eagles, and the forests. The well-being of wild salmon is everyone’s concern,” says local Victoria artist Kimberly Croswell from Communities for Wild Salmon.

"The momentum to move the salmon farming industry out of coastal waters is building. It is becoming more difficult for the government to ignore the collective voices of British Columbians, which are clearly saying that open net salmon farms need to go," Rick Glumac, spokesperson for Wild Salmon Circle.

“The people here today, and thousand more across the country, are demanding our government take action to protect wild salmon. The message is clear: it’s time for government to listen to the people and protect our wild salmon from the scourge of industrial fish farms,” said Tria Donaldson, spokesperson for the Wilderness Committee.

For more information please contact:

Tria Donaldson, Wilderness Committee Vancouver Island Outreach Coordinator (250) 686-9249