Salmon have returned to the waters at Goldstream Provincial Park for the annual run, with the number of fish seen reaching the thousands.
Hundreds of families were closely watching the rivers throughout the day at the park, searching for Coho and Chum Salmon. Each year for about two months, Salmon swim upstream to spawn and die.
Since the run began over three weeks ago, more than 1,400 salmon have been seen, according to numbers posted on the Goldstream Nature House. Last year, more than 33,000 salmon were counted. In 2021, extreme flooding and damage saw only 4,000 salmon returning.
“It’s always astonishing to see these poor creatures try and go in the wrong direction looking so haggard but it’s wonderful to be out here and see that it’s happening,” said Sandi Eggaton.
Eggaton says she’s witnessed a handful of salmon runs over the years, but this year’s numbers are the lowest she’s seen.
“It’s wonderful to see the river filling in cause it was dry as a bone such a short time ago and there’s a lot less salmon here than we’ve seen before,” said Eggaton.
Allison Melis travelled with her family to witness the salmon run for the first time at Goldstream Park.
“We’ve been to see salmon runs up at Nitinat River but never actually to Goldstream and it’s incredible,” Melis.
The mother worries however about the future of salmon run due to climate change.
Oli Herrera
