The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans predicted a run of 10-million sockeye for the Fraser River this summer - to date, only about a million have returned. The absence of a fish that is a  vital part of the ocean ecosystem decimates commercial fishermen's livelihoods - and leaves many First Nations without one of their most important foods, and bereft of a powerful cultural connection to nature.

There are many impacts on B.C.'s wild salmon - including climate change-induced warming of the ocean, the Fraser River and other rivers in southern BC - but one impact stands out: the infestation of sea lice from over 70 fish farms that dot the salmon's migration route.

Sealice on Chum salmon from the Fraser River

As has been repeatedly demonstrated by research from BC and around the world, sea lice from fish farms are a key factor in killing off young fry on their migration to the ocean. As fry run the gauntlet of Atlantic salmon farms along Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago, they are decimated by millions of lice breeding in the farms. The collapse of the Fraser sockeye run is all the more significant since other salmon runs that do not traverse the Johnstone Strait returned in record numbers.

As a result of a court challenge, on February 9, 2009 BC Supreme Court ruled that salmon farms are a fishery and a federal responsibility.  Recently, the court allowed the federal government more time to assume this responsibility from the province, postponing the takeover from February until mid-December 2010.  In the meantime, there will be a moratorium on fish farm expansion which is welcomed by environmentalists despite being a temporary measure.

Renowned BC marine biologist Alexandra Morton is calling on British Columbians to continue to make their voices heard on this important issue. 

ACT NOW - sign a petition to the Minister of Fisheries asking that the laws of Canada be applied to fish farms.

During the Olympics, coastal First Nations organised a Fast for BC's Wild Salmon. Watch the video.

Read the BC Indian Chiefs' press release.

Learn more about Sierra Club BC's work with First Nations communities.