At first glance, tossing salmon carcasses into a creek may seem like a macabre ritual. However, this annual tradition, taking place in the forests surrounding Douglas Creek, at the foothills of Mount PKOLS, plays a vital role in sustaining the salmon lifecycle and supporting the surrounding ecosystem.
This year, PKOLS – Mount Douglas Conservancy, in partnership with the Howard English Goldstream Hatchery welcomed more than 100 people, including local dignitaries and elementary school students, for the annual salmon carcass transplant on the morning of Jan. 19.
Long-time salmon biologist and conservationist Tom Rutherford gave an opening speech about the significance of this unique tradition, emphasizing the salmon’s journey is nothing short of a 'miracle.'
“These salmon carcasses that you will be handling today swam up the Goldstream River a few months ago and they left the Goldstream River in 2021 as tiny fried less than half a gram,” said salmon biologist Tom Rutherford. “They swam halfway across the Pacific Ocean and they came back three and a half years later, 10,000 times bigger than when they left.”
B.C.’s coastal streams, including Saanich’s Douglas Creek, are oligotrophic explained Rutherford, meaning they offer very low levels of nutrients. Yet, salmon is the sole species responsible for bringing life to these streams, turning them into a vital source of food for the province’s wildlife.
“If we didn't have salmon, we wouldn't have salmon because the nutrients come from the salmon themselves,” said Rutherford. “The nutrients that are captured in the marine environment come back with the salmon and fertilize the streams and provide the groceries that the food chain needs to feed the salmon.”
As he concluded, Rutherford highlighted the efforts of local groups working to restore Douglas Creek and support a new generation of salmon amid growing development pressures. He expressed joy at the creek's success, noting this year’s promising salmon return.
After his speech, children and adults alike put on their plastic gloves and flocked to the area piled with numerous garbage bags all containing over 100 frozen salmon carcasses. With a fish in hand, attendees lined the creek and launched the cadavers far and wide.
These coho and chum, provided by the Goldstream Hatchery for the 15th year, yielded over 300,000 eggs currently awaiting hatching at the facility, explained hatchery president Ian Izard.
Joscilyn Jupp, education coordinator and hatchery volunteer, was present at the event with her two children. She noted that the carcass will disintegrate, releasing their nutrients in the river, over the next three months.
During this time, wildlife in the area will swell and feed countless species including birds, mammals, and insects.
Sharing Rutherford's fascination with salmon, Jupp added that the decaying salmon will nourish the next generation currently hatching downstream.
“Salmon purposefully sacrifice the end of their life. They become anemic and they stop eating at least 6 weeks prior to their migration into the estuary. They have made the commitment to their offspring and it is a mechanism to ensure that their offspring have nutrients.”
