Press Release

Save our Salmon Coalition launched to prevent the extinction of wild Pacific salmon

Extinction is not an option. This is the first of many steps toward saving salmon.

VANCOUVER, CANADA; 6 February 2023: A group of key leaders and organizations concerned about the impending extinction of salmon have launched the Save our Salmon (SOS) Coalition – a new, collaborative initiative created to ensure wild Pacific salmon remain part of our world for generations to come.

Wild Pacific salmon are central to who we are as British Columbians and iconic to anyone thinking about B.C., and essential to First Nations, who have depended on it as a food and cultural resource since time immemorial. However, British Columbia’s salmon populations have been declining for decades – by over 90 per cent since the 1970s – due to overfishing, changing climate and inaction on conservation and restoration plans. By bringing together passionate and dedicated organizations and individuals, the SOS Coalition is determined to work collaboratively with numerous groups and decision-makers on this complex problem, with the goal of saving salmon from extinction.

“Salmon populations are collapsing and the current outlook is extremely dire,” said Jordan Point, Executive Director of the First Nations Fisheries Council of B.C., Musqueam Nation Councillor and spokesperson for the SOS Coalition. “Extinction is not an option. While the SOS Coalition is just launching, this important work started long ago by many and will not be finished until wild Pacific salmon are saved.”

“The Save our Salmon Coalition’s role will be to raise awareness of the declining wild Pacific salmon population and work together to find solutions to prevent the extinction of salmon.” said Dr. Michelle Corfield, Entrepreneur, Consultant, Founding Member of the First Nations Fisheries Council of B.C. and spokesperson for the SOS Coalition. “Together, with other organizations and individuals throughout the province, we can save wild Pacific salmon for future generations.”

The SOS Coalition has launched a social media campaign to raise awareness of the declining wild Pacific salmon population and will be working together with other groups to find solutions to prevent the extinction of salmon. It has also launched wide distribution of its SOS pin that people can order for free from the SOS Coalition website and wear to show their support for wild Pacific Salmon.

The SOS Coalition’s first sponsor, HeliCat Canada, was also in attendance at the launch event. HeliCat’s members are passionate stewards of the lands they operate on and are committed to taking meaningful steps towards reconciliation, making the association a great fit for the SOS Coalition.  

Additional quotes from SOS Coalition members:

• “Wild salmon stocks need to be conserved and rebuilt to help First Nations maintain their cultural connections to salmon,” said Murray Ned, Executive Director of the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance and member of the Sumas Nation. “We need to have everyone on board because salmon are iconic to B.C.’s identity, not only First Nations culture.”

• “We are at an historic point where many wild Pacific salmon populations are threatened or endangered,” said Mike Meneer, President and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. “Urgent action is needed. The first step is to develop a collaborative plan to prioritize actions to rebuild wild Pacific salmon stocks and to help them adapt to climate change. The Pacific Salmon Foundation is proud to be part of the SOS Coalition from the beginning. We look forward to continuing to work with First Nations Fisheries Council, other Indigenous leaders and the broader salmon stewardship community. It’s going to take all of us working together to save wild Pacific salmon.”

• “The impact of climate change on wild Pacific salmon cannot be overstated,” said Gord Sterritt, Executive Director of the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance and member of the Gitxsan Nation. “Our water temperatures are rising, resulting in catastrophic risk for salmon, including death. The Save our Salmon Coalition is needed to ensure we all know what is at stake and urge action so that we can prevent the extinction of salmon.”
• “I am honoured to join my fellow Coalition members today to launch this important initiative,” said Hugh Braker, the Political Executive of the First Nations Summit and the President of the First Nations Fisheries Council of B.C. “The SOS Coalition, together and with a sense of urgency and collaboration, will help us achieve our goal of preventing the extinction of wild Pacific salmon.”

-30-

The Save our Salmon (SOS) Coalition is a group of organizations and individuals that are concerned about the future of wild Pacific salmon and its impact on British Columbia. The SOS Coalition aims to raise awareness of the declining wild Pacific salmon population and work together to find solutions to prevent the extinction of salmon. Organizations and individuals who are interested in joining and supporting the Save our Salmon Coalition are encouraged to visit https://www.fnfisheriescouncil.ca/save-our-salmon-coalition/ or contact us at info@soscoalition.ca.


Media Contact: Please direct any media enquiries and interactions to:
Michaela Konken
Consultant, Coast Communications and Public Affairs
Email: michaela@coastcomms.ca