Currents: Big Day for Wild Salmon at Surge Narrows

No, this is not just another fish story about the one that "got away". This is about a grass roots effort initiated by thousands of "locals" interested in preserving one of our earth's great gifts ... the wild salmon. Spearheaded by Alexandra Morton, a biologist from the Broughton Archipelago area, a direct challenge has been made in the court system to the way wild salmon are currently treated by Fisheries and Oceans, the BC Provincial Government, and the Federal Government.

The concern is the future of the wild salmon and the habitat they occupy. Wild salmon are in jeopardy as indicated by the serious reduction in the annual counts conducted by F&O. Many things have played into their demise, but almost all relate to the manner in which government has allowed poor resource management primarily in the fish farming and timber industries. It has been all about the money with only a cursory concern over the impact to the local environment.

Alexandra and her supporters believe this habitat destruction and loss of salmon must come to an end. She is in the process of traveling over land and through the salmon waters from the northern part of Vancouver Island all the way to Victoria in an effort to continue the fight. Along the way people are turning out in large numbers to show support for the cause. If you would like to know more please check out Salmon are Sacred , Alexandra Morton's blog , and Adopt a Fry .

Today, the Get Out Migration came to Surge Narrows on its way to Heriot Bay. Preparations have been underway in the community for weeks. The school children made signs, flags and banners (with Lannie Keller's help). Organizers wanted a flotilla of boats to meet the Migration as it came through Beasley Passage. They wanted a big turnout. I'm happy to say they got it! People came from the entire area. Lots of them. My guess is that there were at least 25 boats to greet her and well over 150 people ... all in the mouth of Beasley Passage at flood tide.