On Tuesday, April 5 at 9am, Wild Salmon Paddle launched from Victoria, BC to promote wild salmon conservation efforts. The sea kayaking expedition will cover a distance of more than 2000 kilometers, following the migration routes of wild salmon. Simon Behman will lead the expedition from Victoria, BC to the finale in Juneau, Alaska in July 2016.
“Salmon are the backbone of the coast, playing an integral role for coastal livelihoods, cultures, and ecosystems,” said Wild Salmon Paddle Expedition Leader, Simon Behman. “With annual salmon returns in the Pacific Northwest diminishing due to polluting human activities, the salmon need our help!”
Sea kayaking guide, Nick Gallant, will be paddling with the expedition from Victoria to Port Hardy, from where Behman will continue solo. The paddlers plan to give back to the coast by fundraising for salmon conservation, public education, and engaging communities along the way. The funds raised will support the Clayoquot Salmon Festival and wild salmon conservation efforts of Friends of Clayoquot Sound, a grassroots environmental organization working to protect the coastal ecosystems.
“Salmon are under significant stress with pollutants in the environment from fish farms, mining, oil and gas extraction, and climate change,” said German Ocampo, Community Organizer with Friends of Clayoquot Sound. “The Wild Salmon Paddle is an example of the commitment needed to protect the irreplaceable value of wild salmon.”
The Wild Salmon Paddle Expedition aims to arrive for Earth Week in Tofino. Expedition updates and tracking will be available at: www.focs.ca/wildsalmonpaddle.
To follow his progress click here!
