Claims that the removal of salmon farms along the east coast of Vancouver Island is why we are seeing a bounty of Fraser-bound sockeye are “absolute nonsense”, says Chief John Smith of the Tlowitsis Nation
By Fabian Dawson
SeaWestNews
As sockeye salmon surge into British Columbia’s rivers in numbers not seen in more than a decade, a First Nation leader has blasted the anti-fish farm movement for spreading “absolute nonsense” and exploiting the moment for personal gain.
In a powerful letter to the Times Colonist, Chief John Smith of the Tlowitsis Nation tore into claims by anti-fish farm activist Alexandra Morton that this year’s returns are the result of salmon farm closures along the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Morton is a self-described independent biologist and longtime anti-fish farming activist whose credibility has been repeatedly questioned, with many of her claims debunked in court and contradicted by science.
She and others in anti-salmon farming lobby groups have a history of spreading falsehoods about ocean aquaculture, that have been eagerly amplified by activist-friendly media without scrutiny.
“Activist Alexandra Morton’s claims that the removal of salmon farms along the east coast of Vancouver Island is why we are seeing a bounty of Fraser-bound sockeye are absolute nonsense,” wrote Chief Smith.
“As a chief and former commercial fisherman, I can confidently dispute her claims, just like the science does regarding wild-farmed salmon interaction. These large sockeye returns have happened during peak biomass salmon farming in B.C., like 2010, and will continue to occur into the future in areas with or without salmon farms because their numbers have nothing to do with fish farms.
“We need to start being honest with ourselves regarding the state of wild salmon as First Nations, former fishermen and British Columbians. Overfishing did this. Gross mismanagement of wild stocks did this. Terrible logging practices did this. American interception of Fraser-bound sockeye is doing this. And climate change is just beginning to rear its ugly head on wild salmon habitat.”
Chief Smith’s words are echoed by decades of scientific research and fisheries records that dismantle the activist narrative.
The strongest Fraser River sockeye run in living memory occurred in 2010, when more than 28 million fish returned while salmon farms were operating at peak production. The Discovery Islands farms Morton now blames were only removed in 2022, making it biologically impossible for their absence to explain this year’s rebound.
Data from the Pacific Salmon Foundation, which is itself opposed to ocean farms, shows that wild salmon numbers have always fluctuated, long before aquaculture arrived on the west coast. Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has confirmed it has no evidence that wild salmon populations have rebounded after farm closures, while peer-reviewed studies show that salmon farms in BC pose little-to-no risk to wild stocks.
Political observers say the campaign by activists is less about science and more about politics.
“A handful of activist groups are trying to hijack the narrative around this year’s sockeye returns to hoodwink the public and sway Ottawa’s 2029 decision on salmon farming,” said a Victoria-based political analyst familiar with fisheries policy.
“By pushing the idea that farm closures directly cause wild salmon rebounds, even though there’s no evidence, they create a simple storyline that resonates with urban voters and sympathetic media. It’s a tactic to put pressure on politicians who are more concerned about appearances than facts.”
The analyst said the strategy is designed to shore up support for the federal government’s plan to ban ocean-based farms by 2029, a Trudeau-era policy born under activist influence rather than scientific evidence.
“This is about political capital, not conservation. Anti-fish farm activists know the science doesn’t support them, so they’re trying to win the public relations war. If they can keep the public convinced, they can keep politicians convinced, regardless of what the data says.”
Industry leaders and Indigenous partners warn that following through on the 2029 ban will devastate coastal economies, threaten reconciliation projects, and cost Canadian taxpayers billions.
But as the analyst noted, “Activists only need to muddy the waters long enough to keep the government on their side.”
Isaiah Robinson, Deputy Chief Councillor of the Kitasoo Xai’xais, which began farming salmon in its traditional territories in the late 1980s, has repeatedly said the activist campaign ignores the lived realities of Indigenous communities that have chosen aquaculture as a path to self-reliance.
“We need a government that respects our rights to chart our own economic futures, not one that listens only to the loudest activists. We are hopeful that Prime Minister Mark Carney can deliver on this,” said Robinson.
Farm-raised salmon generates over $1.142 billion for the BC economy, supporting thousands of jobs. Today 100 per cent of farmed salmon is raised in partnership with B.C. First Nations.
For Chief Smith and the Tlowitsis, the story of salmon farming in BC is not about politics in Ottawa or activist headlines. It is about survival, sovereignty, and bringing their people home.
“The three salmon farms in my territory have provided our nation with crucial revenue that goes toward the construction of our new community, Nenagwas, where we are building 180 homes for our members,” said Chief Smith.
Nenagwas, meaning “a place to come home to,” is the Tlowitsis Nation’s new community now under construction, with 180 homes, a council hall, a school for Kwakʼwala language immersion, and family recreation spaces.
This project near Campbell River is made possible through aquaculture revenues and is designed to bring members of the Tlowitsis back together after decades of displacement from their ancestral village.
Chief Smith said salmon farms have helped his nation create two new businesses and provide members with good year-round employment.
“Revenue from these farms also goes to crucial wild salmon revitalization projects led by our Guardian Watchmen. That work is already seeing results, as more salmon are coming back to the waterways our Guardians have cleaned up from logging damage, particularly in the Fulmore/Port Neville area.”
Chief Smith urged the public to look to science and traditional knowledge, not activist rhetoric, to understand how salmon farming is sustaining British Columbia’s economy and helping Indigenous communities like the Tlowitsis build a future.
“Maybe ask yourself who’s behind the anti-fish farm narrative and why, and who gets paid to push it.
“While commercial fishing is sadly no longer a profitable career for many of us on BC’s coast, activism and eco-colonialism sure know how to bring in top dollar for a privileged few who exploit the plight of wild salmon to tug on heartstrings.”
( Main image shows Chief John Smith of the Tlowitsis Nation speaking at the site of the new Nenagwas Community)