The Pacific salmon is now B.C.’s official fish emblem.
The designation is meant to recognize the salmon’s high ecological, cultural and economic significance to the province.
“With the epic migration of Pacific salmon from B.C.’s rivers and streams to the ocean and back, there is no more iconic symbol of British Columbia,” says B.C. Environment Minister Terry Lake.
Get breaking National news
“Not only are Pacific salmon integral to the culture, well-being and livelihood of B.C.’s first nations, they are often seen as indicators of overall ecosystem and wildlife health, and important to environmental sustainability. Pacific salmon are also a significant economic driver in B.C. due to commercial and recreational fisheries,” added Lake.
The official designation includes seven fish species: Sockeye, Chinook, coho, pink and chum salmon, as well as steelhead and cutthroat trout.
B.C. has other official symbols, including the Pacific dogwood adopted in 1956 as the a floral emblem and the spirit bear adopted as the official mammal in 2006.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.