Wild salmon return to Broughton Archipelago after salmon farms removed
Wild salmon returns continue to strengthen after the removal of ocean-polluting Atlantic salmon farms in the Broughton Archipelago.
In 2018, the provincial government signed an agreement with the ‘Namgis, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis, and Mamalilikulla First Nations—known as the Broughton Archipelago Transition Initiative (BATI)—to shut down salmon farms in their territories to protect wild Pacific salmon. Just four years ago, the salmon run was as low as 400 fish. Now, the creeks are teeming with salmon returning to the Hada River.
“We are super excited to have the ability to pass on that traditional knowledge to our younger kids, our younger people, on how to smoke our salmon and all of the beautiful teachings that come with that,” says K’odi Nelson, Executive Director, Nawalakw Healing Society.
The strong return of wild salmon this year is bringing hope to First Nations in the area.