We, the citizens of Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations communities on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, stand united in our commitment to protect our wild salmon fishery. By 2025, we urge all relevant authorities to remove all fish farms from B.C. waters. 

Since the beginning, wild Pacific salmon have been essential in the original instructions and agreements to Nuu-chah-nulth connections in this world, traditions and food security. However, it is not just about us. Hishuk ish Tsawaak, everything is one.  It is about preserving biodiversity, celebrating culture, and maintaining healthy ecosystems for our future generations. We have a responsibility to ensure our grandchildren have access to a wild salmon fishery too!

We are witnessing coastal wild salmon populations plummeting to historic lows. Fish farms in British Columbia waters pose significant threats to wild salmon through disease transfer and parasite infestation. According to  a study by the Pacific Salmon Foundation (2018), sea lice from open-net pen fish farms can significantly increase death rates among migrating juvenile salmon. Sea lice also kill herring and oolichans which are too small to defend against the lice-infested waters. They are eaten alive. Since the fish swim in all coastal nation territories they spread the disease and parasites with them.

The removal of the fish farms will not only benefit us, but also other important species/animals/creatures and even trees! After the removal of fish farms, salmon are returning to Kwakwakaʼwakw waters and shorelines. By closing the northern corridor the population increased from 100 pinks to 10,000 and it's only been four years! Their waters are healing and producing healthy salmon again. 

Why not remove fish farms from Nuu-chah-nulth hahoulthee (territory) so that Nature can heal itself here too? An abundant wild salmon fishery is possible again.

One immediate action the Canadian government can take to protect Wild Pacific Salmon is to follow through on their mandate to transition open-net pen salmon farms out of BC waters by 2025.

Please sign this petition today to stand with other Nuu-chah-nulth people, in protecting these vital finned relatives and ensuring a sustainable future for all inhabitants of Nuu-chah-nulth hahoulthee. Together we represent the people and the people are the rights holders. ƛ’eko ƛ’eko