2025 Progress Update

2025 Progress Update

2025 Progress Update

Wild salmon are showing us what strength looks like.

AARON HILL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

This year, Fraser River sockeye returned in numbers far beyond expectations, with strong runs of pink salmon to both the Fraser and Skeena Rivers, and a coho resurgence in the Salish Sea. At a time when many salmon and steelhead runs are still fighting for survival, these surges of abundance remind us that with care and protection, these magnificent animals can bounce back.

Not only do our wild salmon feed our families and wildlife with the most delicious and healthy protein on the planet, they also remind us who we are and why we fight. Here are the highlights from our work so far this year.

Wild salmon are showing us what strength looks like.

AARON HILL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

This year, Fraser River sockeye returned in numbers far beyond expectations, with strong runs of pink salmon to both the Fraser and Skeena Rivers, and a coho resurgence in the Salish Sea. At a time when many salmon and steelhead runs are still fighting for survival, these surges of abundance remind us that with care and protection, these magnificent animals can bounce back.

Not only do our wild salmon feed our families and wildlife with the most delicious and healthy protein on the planet, they also remind us who we are and why we fight. Here are the highlights from our work so far this year.

Wild salmon are showing us what strength looks like.

This year, Fraser River sockeye returned in numbers far beyond expectations, with strong runs of pink salmon to both the Fraser and Skeena Rivers, and a coho resurgence in the Salish Sea. At a time when many salmon and steelhead runs are still fighting for survival, these surges of abundance remind us that with care and protection, these magnificent animals can bounce back.

Not only do our wild salmon feed our families and wildlife with the most delicious and healthy protein on the planet, they also remind us who we are and why we fight. Here are the highlights from our work so far this year.

AARON HILL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Salmon Farming

Getting factory fish farms out of our coastal waters

What’s Next

  • Forced DFO to release suppressed data on parasitic sea lice. They later revised their previous conclusions and confirmed what we’ve long known: lice on salmon farms are linked to lice levels on wild juvenile salmon.
  • Investigated and exposed a “semi-closed” farm near Tofino with our friends at Clayoquot Action. Footage we obtained from the government showed feces and feed coating the seafloor—evidence of pollution and failure.
  • Went back to court with allies to defend Ottawa’s decision to phase out Discovery Islands salmon farms.

What’s Next

Push government: Step up pressure on our federal government to keep their commitments and set clear timelines for removing the remaining open-net pen salmon farms from B.C. waters.

Expose failures: Keep investigating and sharing evidence of farm pollution, parasite outbreaks, and weak enforcement to hold both industry and regulators accountable to the public.

Mobilize supporters: Activate our network of thousands of salmon defenders through petitions, social media, and direct engagement to demand a complete, legislated phase-out of open-net farming and lasting protection for wild salmon.

Fisheries

Making B.C.’s salmon fisheries more sustainable

What’s Next

Defended the backbone of our fisheries management system after DFO failed to secure 2025 contracts for charter patrol officers and creekwalkers. Our action prevented critical gaps in salmon monitoring on dozens of streams and rivers across B.C.

Brought science-based conservation to DFO’s planning and in-season management of salmon fisheries, holding decision-makers accountable through the Marine Conservation Caucus.

Challenged Alaska’s interception of B.C. salmon and steelhead with ads, media pressure, and direct advocacy at the Pacific Salmon Commission, demanding a conservation-focused Treaty.

What’s Next

Hold Alaska accountable: Continue tracking and publicizing the impacts of Alaskan interception fisheries on B.C. salmon and steelhead, pushing for reforms to the Pacific Salmon Treaty that prioritize conservation and fairness for our fish and fishing communities.

Advance selective fishing: Collaborate with First Nations, conservation partners, and government agencies to expand stock-selective and other low-impact fishing methods that reduce bycatch and protect vulnerable species.

Improve fisheries management: Keep monitoring DFO’s decisions and management plans, advocating for stronger conservation measures, transparent science, and responsible practices across commercial, recreational, and Indigenous fisheries.

Defending Habitat

Securing healthy watersheds with clean, cool, connected waters for wild salmon

What’s Next

Advanced fish-friendly solutions to bolster flood defences and restore vast areas of prime salmon habitat. We took the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship on two site tours, secured support from local governments across the province for the B.C. Flood Strategy, and brought farmers and First Nations together through the Lower Fraser Floodplains Coalition. 

Launched a campaign with allies against destructive gravel mining in Norrish Creek, mobilizing citizens and filing legal submissions that led DFO to issue a stop-work order and require a remediation plan. We are also advancing research on gravel extraction in the Chilliwack/Vedder River to protect salmon while pursuing smarter flood solutions.

Spoke out about water mismanagement, pushed the B.C. government to end its water giveaway by raising industrial water rates and reinvesting the revenue in conservation, and grew our CodeBlueBC campaign to 47,000+ supporters.

What’s Next

Advance solutions: Continue engaging communities on fish-friendly flood control that improves public safety, mobilize public pressure on governments to safeguard habitat and communities, and strengthen partnerships with farmers and First Nations to deliver collaborative, on-the-ground solutions.

Confront destructive gravel mining and floodplain development: Expose how gravel extraction harms salmon and habitats, keep collaborating with allies to defend and protect floodplain habitats from harmful development, and support this work with solid science.

Secure and Defend B.C.’s Water Future: End B.C.’s $2.25 per million litre water giveaway to big industry, channel new revenue into the Watershed Security Fund, hold polluters and water wasters accountable, and keep growing the CodeBlue BC movement of watershed defenders.

Help us stand up strong for our wild salmon and watersheds.

Help us stand up strong for our wild salmon and watersheds.

Help us stand up strong for our wild salmon and watersheds.