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Should wild Pacific salmon be an official symbol of British Columbia?

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The Pacific Salmon Foundation, Fraser Basin Council and Living Rivers - Georgia Basin / Vancouver Island consulted with people from across British Columbia on their views about the proposal to designate wild Pacific salmon* as an official provincial symbol under the Provincial Honours and Symbols Act.. Their report on this consultation recommends the province move forward with the designation. The report is available here.

• Download the report to read electronically.
• Download the report to print.

 

Our consultation indicates that the BC public supports the designation of wild Pacific salmon as an official symbol of the province.

Pacific salmon are a precious natural inheritance and valuable economic resource. If we are careful, they will be an important legacy to pass to future generations of British Columbians.

Consider:

• Salmon tell an inspiring story. Their epic journey from natal stream to the ocean and back is a natural drama of survival in the face of almost overwhelming odds.
• Salmon support communities. They have long been connected to the cultural traditions, food supply and economic well-being of First Nations and of all British Columbians.
• Salmon are integral to ecosystem health. As salmon make their journey through BC's waterways, their bodies spread nutrients and feed a wide variety of other species. Salmon abundance is also a sign of environmental health. Like the canary in the coal mine, salmon show us if aquatic ecosystems are in or out of balance.

*Note on Pacific Salmon: The starting point for this discussion is that all species of Pacific salmon would be considered collectively as "Pacific Salmon."