May 7, 2026
Michelle Comeau
We welcomed Michelle Comeau, the Executive Director for the Adams River Salmon Society. She talked about the salmon of course!
Although most of us know them for the "Salute to the Sockeye", the society is much more than that. The mission of the Adams River Salmon Society is "to promote the conservation of wild salmon and the cultural resources of Tsútswecw Provincial Park through education and interpretation.
Some facts and figures:
Salmon travel 4000 km by the time they return to their birthplace.
Salmon generally have a 4 year cycle from birth to returning to their birthplace.
Of the 4000 eggs laid, only 2 adult salmon will make it back!
The Adams River is the largest freshwater spawning grounds for sockeye salmon in North America.
Every river has it's own spawning return date.
Weather affects the salmon run - they won't proceed upriver until it cools off and there is enough depth (September rains help!).
Every 4 years is a dominant run.
During the 2022 run, the society hosted 22 world accredited media which included 5 documentaries.
This year the society will need 25 to 50 volunteers each day of the festival, which runs from October 9 - 25.
During the 2023 fires, approximately 1/2 of the park burned. Restoration efforts include reshaping the riverbeds to their pre-fire state.
For more information about this year's "Salute to the Sockeye" and the society in general you can check out Adams River Salmon Society.
