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Watershed Watch Salmon Society

@watershedwatchbc.bsky.social
242 followers 202 following 130 posts

Watershed Watch Salmon Society is a science-based charity working to defend and rebuild B.C.’s wild salmon. Our vision: thriving wild salmon runs across B.C. forever.

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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Wild salmon belong to all of us. We stand with the Hupacasath, the growing call from First Nations, and everyone who wants wild salmon back in our rivers. Factory salmon farms out of BC now.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Yet DFO's own recent assessment of West Coast of Vancouver Island chinook recommends that the government "adjust aquaculture operations to reduce exposure of local juveniles to parasites and pathogens."
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Hesquiaht First Nation leaders are also calling for open net-pen farms to be removed from the coast to protect wild salmon. Industry claims DFO's science shows farms aren't a risk.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
'Namgis Chief Don Svanvik, who helped clear farms from the Broughton Archipelago where he says wild runs are rebounding, puts it simply: "It's like if your neighbour had an outhouse that was leaking into your yard. Is it ok because the outhouse is in his yard for the sh*t to come into your yard?"
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Support is growing for Hupačasath Hereditary Chief Alton Watts as he stands up for the rivers of the Alberni Valley and wild salmon that feed families and support anglers and local businesses across the region. cheknews.ca/hupacasath-h...
cheknews.ca
Hupačasath hereditary chief orders Cermaq to close Boot Lagoon hatchery
Tsu-tsii-in(Alton Watts), tyee ha'wilth (hereditary chief) of Hupačasath First Nation in the Alberni Valley, publicly demanded on Sept. 23 that Atlantic salmon farming company Cermaq close their Boot ...
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
These projects offer practical lessons for keeping our communities safer and restoring salmon habitat here in B.C. Read our latest blog to learn more: watershedwatch.ca/stories/floo...
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
In the Netherlands, communities are giving rivers more room to flood safely. In the UK, they’re slowing water down before it reaches town. Both approaches reduce flood risk while restoring wildlife habitat.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Flood season is nearly here in B.C. What can we learn from flood solutions that are already working abroad? watershedwatch.ca/stories/floo... Photo: Pickering, Yorkshire, UK. Showing the extent of the floods in June 2007. Photo: Harkey Lodger CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-...
watershedwatch.ca
Flooding Safer: Lessons From Around the World That Actually Work | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Nature-based flood solutions in the Netherlands and the UK offer lessons for BC on reducing flood risk and restoring fish and wildlife habitat.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The hatchery supplies Atlantic salmon to Cermaq’s fish farms in Clayoquot Sound. Our friend and ally, Alexandra Morton, has a growing petition supporting the call. Take action: www.change.org/p/will-you-s...
change.org
Sign the Petition
Will you stand with Chief Tsu-tsii-in for salmon?
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Hereditary Chief Tsu-tsii-in Alton Watts is calling for factory fish farm giant, Cermaq, to close its Atlantic salmon hatchery near Port Alberni by the end of the year, citing concerns about disease spreading to wild salmon. Add your name & stand up for wild salmon. www.change.org/p/will-you-s...
change.org
Sign the Petition
Will you stand with Chief Tsu-tsii-in for salmon?
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Wild salmon already face enough pressures. Ottawa has promised to remove open-net pen salmon farms from B.C. waters by 2029. Keep the promise. Finish the job. Read the full story below. 👇 thetyee.ca/News/2026/09...
thetyee.ca
Hupačasath Nation Boots Salmon Farm Hatchery off Its Territory | The Tyee
Citing wild fish health concerns, Hereditary Chief Alton Watts wants industry giant Cermaq to ‘vacate the area.’
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Watts is demanding Cermaq stop transferring smolts and shut down the hatchery by the end of the year. He told The Tyee that wild salmon returning to Hupačasath territory have been showing troubling signs, including damaged skin, sores, diseased mouths, parasites and sea lice.
thetyee.ca
Hupačasath Nation Boots Salmon Farm Hatchery off Its Territory | The Tyee
Citing wild fish health concerns, Hereditary Chief Alton Watts wants industry giant Cermaq to ‘vacate the area.’
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
🚨 Eviction notice served on Cermaq's fish farm hatchery amid disease concerns Hupačasath Hereditary Chief Alton Watts served an eviction notice to Cermaq’s Atlantic salmon hatchery near Port Alberni, which supplies smolts to 14 factory salmon farms in Clayoquot Sound. thetyee.ca/News/2026/09...
thetyee.ca
Hupačasath Nation Boots Salmon Farm Hatchery off Its Territory | The Tyee
Citing wild fish health concerns, Hereditary Chief Alton Watts wants industry giant Cermaq to ‘vacate the area.’
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Wild coho are rebounding on BC’s South Coast. But policies meant to save them are helping kill them. We can cut the waste: safer gear, smarter rules and fishing nearer their home rivers. Read out latest blog to learn more: watershedwatch.ca/stories/why-...
watershedwatch.ca
Why are so many wild coho dying in marine recreational fisheries? | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
B.C.’s South Coast recreational fishery has Canada’s highest salmon bycatch mortality. Ending wasteful release rules and using safer gear could save wild coho.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Sign up for the Salmon News and get the week’s top stories about salmon and their habitats delivered to your inbox every Wednesday.👇 watershedwatch.ca/salmon-news-...
watershedwatch.ca
Sign up for the Salmon News | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Sign up for Watershed Watch Salmon Society's weekly media round-up of stories about salmon and their habitats.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
When we asked DFO for records about the remediation, we received just two hydrology reports—and 177 completely blank pages because their contents had been withheld. Now we need your help keeping up the pressure. Send your message: watershedwatch.ca/halt-the-des...
watershedwatch.ca
Norrish Creek Needs Real Restoration | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Gravel mining at Norrish Creek is killing salmon eggs and destroying vital habitat. Tell governments to stop the damage and enforce the law.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The extraction lowered parts of the streambed & disrupted the groundwater flows that once fed Worth Creek. After nearly 1,000 people spoke up, DFO ordered CPKC to conduct remediation. But that work fell short, and there is still no credible, binding plan to fully restore the damaged habitat.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Take action for Norrish Creek: watershedwatch.ca/halt-the-des... In Dec 2024, Worth Creek, a salmon stream near Mission, went completely dry, destroying fertilized salmon eggs. Experts identified industrial-scale gravel mining by CPKC Rail at nearby Norrish Creek as the likely cause.
watershedwatch.ca
Norrish Creek Needs Real Restoration | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Gravel mining at Norrish Creek is killing salmon eggs and destroying vital habitat. Tell governments to stop the damage and enforce the law.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
But unless we're actively improving fisheries management, & getting much better info about where Fraser chinook are being caught, we may be spending millions of taxpayer dollars on expensive band-aids while the knives of bad fishery management continue to slash away at our endangered salmon runs.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
As wild chinook populations in the Cowichan & South Thompson & wild Interior Fraser coho rebound after dialing back harvest pressure, the evidence for what actually moves the needle is already in front of us. Conservation hatcheries have their place, & it might be time to build one on the Fraser...
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
another 50k killed in Alaska’s predatory outside troll fishery, thousands more killed as bycatch in trawl fisheries in BC & Alaska, & an unknown number are killed as bycatch in Southeast Alaska seine and gillnet fisheries which intercept south-migrating B.C. salmon.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
However, if the best practices are followed, & ocean conditions are favourable, we'll be lucky if 8k chinook returned to the upper Fraser. Meanwhile, in the fisheries managed by Canada or via the Pacific Salmon Treaty, 100k returning chinook are killed as bycatch in BC marine rec fisheries...
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The Federal Fisheries Minister announced yesterday a $50 million investment in 3 new hatcheries producing 1 million juvenile chinook & sockeye salmon per year. 2 of those are intended to improve outcomes in the Fraser, where populations are in steep decline. www.mycariboonow.com/315833/news/...
watershedwatch.ca
Media links for stories about salmon and their habitats
Facebook has blocked our ability to share Canadian news stories about salmon and their habitats. Click here to get the link to the full news story mentioned in this post.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
BC’s South Coast recreational salmon fishery is having a banner year—but behind the record catches is a growing, largely unmeasured toll on chinook & coho. Read about 3 solutions that can safeguard wild salmon & future fishing opportunities 👇 watershedwatch.ca/stories/its-... Photo: Eiko Jones
watershedwatch.ca
To remain sustainable, it’s time to rethink marine recreational salmon fishery management
B.C.’s South Coast recreational salmon fishery is booming—but too many chinook and coho are dying after release. It’s time to rethink how it’s managed.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Join Watershed Watch for an easy, 14-km guided bike ride along the Pitt River in Port Coquitlam on Saturday, Aug. 8! We’ll explore local waterways, salmon habitat & flood infrastructure, then return to Peace Park for lunch & prize draws. 🕙 10 am –2 pm 🎟️ Free www.eventbrite.ca/e/poco-bike-...
eventbrite.ca
PoCo Bike the Dike | Guided Tour
Join Watershed Watch for a guided bike tour along the Pitt River on Saturday, August 8!
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Researchers have now documented the disease in wild chinook from Barkley Sound, identifying the bacteria as the likely cause of skin lesions & high death rates in affected fish. Though the study does not determine where the infection originated, this pathogen is extremely common on salmon farms.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
New research has confirmed tenacibaculosis in wild Pacific salmon for the first time. Tenacibaculosis is a bacterial disease that is associated with salmon farming around the world. It can cause a disease known as Mouth Rot in farmed Atlantic salmon. psf.ca/news-media/f... @psfca.bsky.social
psf.ca
First report of bacterial disease 'tenacibaculosis' in wild Chinook salmon documented by B.C. researchers | Pacific Salmon Foundation
New research led by the University of British Columbia, Pacific Salmon Foundation, and others identifies mortality-causing disease in wild Chinook salmon.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
The 2026 salmon forecast is here. From Haida Gwaii to the Fraser River, fisheries expert Greg Taylor shares his predictions for this year's salmon returns. Read the forecast: watershedwatch.ca/stories/2026... #fisheries #britishcolumbia #wildsalmon
watershedwatch.ca
2026 Salmon Forecast | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Watershed Watch's fisheries expert Greg Taylor provides a forecast for 2026 salmon returns.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Flood management cannot be left to individual communities to solve alone. We need a coordinated regional approach that protects salmon, communities and the floodplain we all share. tricitiesdispatch.com/flood-risk-c...
tricitiesdispatch.com
Staving off major flood requires funding from province, coalition argues – Tri-Cities Dispatch
Rajpaul Dhaliwal Facebook photo Amid the growing risks of a devastating flood, Coquitlam should join the growing chorus across the region advocating for
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Regional districts, cities and Nations are signing on to this commitment, adding their voices to a shared request for a regional approach and long-term federal and provincial funding. This week, we asked the City of Coquitlam to join them, and the ask was well received.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Floods do not stop at city limits. That is why Watershed Watch, as a member of the Lower Fraser Floodplains Coalition, is working with local governments and First Nations to secure long-term, dedicated funding for the work needed to protect salmon and communities from increasing flood threats.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Watershed Watch's fisheries expert Greg Taylor explains why 2026 salmon returns are so hard to predict and why managing “blind” is a risk salmon cannot afford. Read the blog: watershedwatch.ca/stories/befo... #fisheries #britishcolumbia #wildsalmon
watershedwatch.ca
Before the Forecast: Why 2026 Salmon Returns Are So Hard to Predict
Before sharing his 2026 salmon forecast, fisheries expert Greg Taylor explains why climate change, freshwater conditions and DFO monitoring cuts make this season especially uncertain.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Watch Global TV's coverage 👇 and stay tuned for more details as we get them. globalnews.ca/video/118929...
globalnews.ca
Salmon watchdogs claim DFO is cutting back on monitoring | Watch News Videos Online
Watch Salmon watchdogs claim DFO is cutting back on monitoring Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
You can't rebuild a population you refuse to count. We are also staring down the barrel of a strong El Niño that is expected to bring low flows & the risk of major fish-kills in those same streams that will no longer have anyone checking on them.
globalnews.ca
Salmon watchdogs claim DFO is cutting back on monitoring | Watch News Videos Online
Watch Salmon watchdogs claim DFO is cutting back on monitoring Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
While Ottawa is pulling the eyes off of rivers, they are fast-tracking mines, pipelines, & other projects that threaten salmon. The kicker? They just renewed the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative: $412 MILLION to rebuild salmon... while gutting the very monitoring that tells us if it's working.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Monitoring has already been cut by ~50% since the 80s. These on-the-ground counts are the backbone of sustainable fisheries. Without them, managers have to either fish blind & risk overfishing or shut down fisheries & risk losing sustainable fishing opportunities.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
This is REALLY bad. We’ve learned that DFO has slashed salmon-counting days in its contracts for charter patrol guardians by nearly 70%. Some haven't had their contracts renewed at all. And that's just what we know about. globalnews.ca/video/118929...
globalnews.ca
Salmon watchdogs claim DFO is cutting back on monitoring | Watch News Videos Online
Watch Salmon watchdogs claim DFO is cutting back on monitoring Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Thank you so much for your support! ♥ 🐟🐟
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Thanks to a generous donor, every donation made before June 8 will be tripled, up to $10,000! Help us defend wild salmon. Donate today 👇 watershedwatch.ca/triple-your-... 📸 Tavish Campbell
watershedwatch.ca
Triple Your Impact | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Thanks to a generous supporter, donations will be tripled until June 8, up to $10,000. At a time when threats to wild salmon are mounting, donate today to maximize your impact.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
After several years of encouraging returns, two warning signs are emerging that could reshape this year's fisheries outlook. Read more: watershedwatch.ca/stories/two-... #fisheries #wildsalmon #britishcolumbia
watershedwatch.ca
Two Shots Across the Bow of This Year’s Fisheries Forecasts | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
New warnings on El Niño and hatchery production suggest tougher times ahead for Pacific salmon, despite recent years of strong returns.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
The clock is ticking for wild salmon. Let’s keep the pressure on! Take a minute to write your MP today. They need to ramp up their work and make sure Prime Minister Carney keeps the promise to remove ALL factory fish farms from our coastal waters. 👉 watershedwatch.ca/keep-your-pr...
watershedwatch.ca
Tell the feds to SPEED UP the fish farm ban
Factory fish farms are a threat to wild salmon. Email the feds and let them know you want all factory fish farms out of B.C. waters and away from wild salmon before 2029.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
📸 The above image is a poignant photo taken with former Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault. This was taken just a couple of days before he announced his resignation from parliament, citing concerns over the government’s current environmental approach.
watershedwatch.ca
Tell the feds to SPEED UP the fish farm ban
Factory fish farms are a threat to wild salmon. Email the feds and let them know you want all factory fish farms out of B.C. waters and away from wild salmon before 2029.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Stan from Watershed Watch was on Parliament Hill this week alongside allies at the Pacific Salmon Foundation, David Suzuki Foundation & Living Oceans Society. The contingent met with MPs & gov't officials to push Ottawa to keep its promise to remove remaining marine salmon farms from coastal B.C.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
In Fall 2024, Worth Creek should have been full of salmon. Instead, it ran dry. Investigations found industrial-scale gravel mining in Norrish Creek disrupted groundwater flows. DFO halted extraction & required remediation work — that is showing signs of failure. watershedwatch.ca/stories/norr...
watershedwatch.ca
Norrish Creek Update: Salmon Still Need Real Restoration | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
An update on gravel mining at Norrish Creek, attempted restoration work to improve flows at Worth Creek, and what still needs to happen to defend wild salmon.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Foreign salmon farming corporations are lobbying Prime Minister Carney to reverse the ban on open-net pen fish farms in B.C. Canada must follow the science, not foreign industry pressure, and get these parasite- & disease-spreading farms away from our wild salmon. watershedwatch.ca/stories/fore...
watershedwatch.ca
Foreign salmon farm industry groups lobby Carney to drop B.C. fish farm ban
Foreign-owned salmon farm giants are lobbying Ottawa to reverse B.C.’s open-net fish farm ban despite parasite and disease risks to wild Pacific salmon.
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Reposted by Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Nathan Howes TWN @natetwnclimate.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Scientists say lower B.C. snowpack levels mean that accumulated snow will melt fast this spring, leading to lower water levels and drying pools when adult salmon try to make their way back up rivers in fall from spawning grounds @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/natu...
theweathernetwork.com
Vancouver Island's low snowpack likely to affect salmon populations: Researchers - The Weather Network
Vancouver Island's snowpack stood at only 44 per cent of normal in the latest report from the province
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
There’s a growing shift toward flood solutions that work with water. Think reconnected wetlands & floodplains, with infrastructure like rain gardens & fish-friendly floodgates. Together, they reduce flood risk while restoring salmon habitat. watershedwatch.ca/stories/floo... 📷 Eiko Jones
watershedwatch.ca
Flood Solutions in B.C.: From Grey to Green | Watershed Watch Salmon Society
How B.C. can manage floods differently—using fish-friendly infrastructure and nature-based solutions to protect communities and restore salmon.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
His advocacy helped spark a movement, & his legacy lives on in the continued efforts to restore and reconnect these important waters. We extend our deepest condolences to Scott’s family, friends, and all who were touched by his dedication and spirit.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Over the past six years, this work has advanced fish-friendly flood infrastructure, research, and collaboration across the region. Though it has been some time since we last worked together, Scott’s influence is enduring.
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Watershed Watch Salmon Society @watershedwatchbc.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Alongside Scott & a dedicated group of local stewards, we helped raise the profile of this vital ecosystem. That early momentum contributed to the launch of our Connected Waters campaign & ultimately to securing a multi-million-dollar investment for the Resilient Waters project at MakeWay Canada.
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