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October 12 2011 » Media Releases

10,000 Salmon Finish Exhibit in Prince Rupert


The very successful 10,000 Salmon project on display in Hazelton last year, swam it’s way to Prince Rupert for the summer.
The brightly coloured fish swam on their posts along the bank in Cow Bay and were one of the first things thousands of visitors arriving on the cruise ships saw.
All summer long there was a mecca of activity surrounding the salmon and it was a huge hit for both tourists and locals alike.
A big thank you to the city and councillors of Prince Rupert who were not only enthusiastic about bringing the fish to their shores but also did everything they could to help make the project a success.
If one was to hang out on the bench by the fish they would most likely hear things like, “Wow, look at the size of this watershed!”, “Did you read some of those fish, there are some very passionate children here,” “I had no idea there were so many tributaries along the Skeena,” and my personal favourite, “Protecting this is so important, we should find out how we can help.”
When the fish first arrived many locals also brought their children down to look for their little paper fish on the larger ones and watching one child find her’s was a thrill.
She called to her dad and jumped up and down and then she had her picture taken several times beside her creation. Even more impressive, she started telling her dad about what she had learned and even mentioned the song she sang in the “Up Your Watershed” concert that came to Rupert in the spring.
Now that the tourist season is winding down, it’s time to take the fish down as well. Due to the wet summer and UV rays, the fish are definitely fading and may not make another appearance next summer.
However, the bottom line for all of us involved is they have done a phenomenal job of getting peoples attention, spreading the word about the importance of protecting both the salmon’s habitat and the Skeena Watershed in general and they have also brought communities, families and children all across the Northwest together in a positive and creative way.
In closing, We would like to send out 10,000 cheers to the 10,000 salmon project, the staff and volunteers of SWCC and the residents and tourists who shared in the vision of the importance to protect our fish, waters, watershed, wildlife and more.

Feel free to email the City of Prince Rupert a big thanks for hosting such a great event in their community…sometimes it’s nice for politicians to hear about the good things they do!

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