Words and photos by Tricia Thomas

When salmon struggle, we struggle.  Around the Salish Sea, salmon represent our traditions, our food and ceremonies. Their survival in the face of daunting change is an inspiration for Coast Salish people as we find our way back to who we are.

Low snowpack followed by extreme hot, dry weather has created a life-and-death struggle for salmon returning to their spawning grounds. Record low water levels and high water temperatures have threatened salmon survival. Eggs that hatched early died; adults have been unable to complete the cycle of returning to the streams where they hatched after years in the ocean.

At Halalt First Nation, the Chemainus River side channel saw salmon eggs hatching in early March due to warmer water temperatures. Chief James Thomas said, “This is an anomaly! I have never seen such low water levels during this time of year.” Despite efforts to boost water levels in the spawning channel, he said the likelihood of the natural spawn surviving and making it to the ocean is slim.

Low water levels delayed the start of the run this year. Fish arriving at the mouth of the river were forced to linger in the estuary where sea lions were quick to feast. “Once the fish enter fresh water, they cannot return back to the sea,” Thomas said.

In T’Sou-ke territory, the Charters River has noticeably fewer salmon returning upstream compared to previous years. Low levels could disturb spawn from previous salmon deposits.

Volunteers at Charters River salmon interpretive centre have been capturing returning fish and collecting their eggs. T’sou-ke fisheries manager Joe Planes said that recent downpours turned the Sooke River into muddy, heavy currents.

Fish hatcheries may offer the best chance for salmon’s freshwater survival.

In Snuneymuxw territory, Brian Banks, manager at Nanaimo hatchery said water released from the Fourth Lake dam by the Harmac pulp mill “helped to maintain a safe water level in the Nanaimo River this summer, but the temperatures got high and we had a lot of pre-spawn mortality.”  Since the hatchery will be doing egg takes until December, Banks expects to meet its quota, but expressed concern for natural spawn.