How Salmon Respond to the Closure of Salmon Farms
Report by Alexandra Morton, October 2025
A new report by biologist Alexandra Morton presents compelling evidence of how wild salmon populations have responded following the closure of open-net salmon farms along key migration routes in British Columbia. The study draws on over three decades of observations and data, showing consistent rebounds in wild salmon abundance whenever salmon farms were removed from local waters.
The report highlights several major case studies, including the Fraser River sockeye, Broughton Archipelago pink salmon, and chum salmon returning along the coast between Alert Bay and Washington State. In each case, the same pattern emerged — salmon survival and returns improved significantly once farms were removed or restricted. These findings echo what many coastal First Nations have witnessed firsthand: that reducing farm-related impacts can lead to the natural recovery of wild fish populations.
For the Broughton region, the report notes the leadership of Mamalilikulla, Na̱mǥis, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis, and Gwawaenuk First Nations in closing 20 salmon farms beginning in 2018. Since then, local pink salmon runs have more than doubled each generation, with ongoing recovery still being observed. The findings also reference improvements in chum salmon returns in 2024 along the same migration corridors, suggesting long-term ecosystem benefits.
While the report recognizes other challenges to salmon survival — such as climate change, flooding, and warming waters — it emphasizes that removing farm-related pathogens and sea lice is a critical step toward restoring balance in coastal ecosystems. Canada’s announced plan to phase out open-net salmon farms by 2029 marks a pivotal moment for both conservation and reconciliation, as many Nations continue to assert their rights to protect the health of their waters.