Protect BC Steelhead – Reinstate a Steelhead Hatchery on the Cowichan River Now!

Sign the Petition to Save Steelhead Populations in the Cowichan River.

We just did a survey recently for the first nations and this is something that we need to get out there too for BC and start lobbying for the Cowichan.

Steelhead numbers in British Columbia are plummeting, and without urgent action, these iconic fish could face extinction. The Cowichan River Elders Drift, led by Indigenous leaders and conservation allies, has highlighted the severe decline in steelhead populations and the urgent need for a hatchery program.

We call on the Provincial and Federal Ministers of Fisheriesto fund and reinstate a steelhead hatchery to ensure:
✅ Restoration of steelhead stocks through modern, science-based hatchery management.
✅ Use of genomics technology to protect wild populations while supplementing numbers.
✅ Long-term sustainability for BC’s recreational fishing industry and local economies.
✅ Collaboration with Indigenous leaders, conservation groups, and scientific experts to ensure responsible stewardship.

Why It Matters

Steelhead are an essential part of BC’s ecosystem, culture, and economy. Without intervention, populations will continue to decline, negatively impacting biodiversity and coastal communities that rely on recreational fishing.

The Cowichan Tribes—stewards of the Cowichan River for millennia—have already recognized that natural recovery alone is no longer attainable. The proposed hatchery would leverage existing salmon hatchery infrastructure, reducing operational costs while urgently replenishing steelhead numbers.

Scientific studies and the 2024 Pacific Salmon Foundation Snapshot Report have shown consistent declines in steelhead numbers, lack of sufficient data, and the pressing need for enhanced monitoring and conservation strategies. With genomic-based hatchery management seen in Washington State, BC can ensure the genetic integrity of wild stocks while supplementing declining populations.

Take Action Now!

By signing this petition, you support urgent conservation efforts to:
🔹 Prevent steelhead extinction in BC rivers.
🔹 Provide economic sustainability for fishing communities.
🔹 Strengthen Indigenous-led conservation efforts.
🔹 Ensure future generations can enjoy recreational fishing.

📢 Sign and share this petition today! Every signature helps protect BC’s waterways and wildlife.