A Cermaq fish farm in Ahousaht First Nation's tradtional territory at Saranac Island in Clayoqout Sound BC. The boat docked by the farm is set up to pressure wash sea lice off of the Atlantic salmon in the farm.

Cermaq fish farm anchored to Saranac Island in the Ahousaht First Nation's territory.

A member of the Ahousaht First Nation at work on a Cermaq fish farm in the Ahousaht First Nation's territory.

Cermaq's fish processing plant in Tofino BC. Tla-o-qui aht territory

Cermaq's fish processing plant in Tofino BC.

A totem pole, carved by Tla-o-qui aht member Joe David, sits on the waterfront in Tofino BC in honor of the hereditary chiefs of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. Cermaq's fish processing plant sits behind it on the waterfront.

Ho'miska̱nis, Don Svanvik, a hereditary chief and current elected Chief of Council of the ‘Na̱mg̱is First Nation. Alert Bay, BC.

“For our people, salmon is not a menu choice. It’s within our DNA. We are the fish. We are the salmon people.”

Chief Earnest Alfred, K̓wak̓waba̱'las, elected council member of the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation traditional leader of the Ławit̓sis First Nation, with his family at the naming ceremony for his grand daughter in Alert Bay, BC. Alfred was instrumental in the occupation of a fish farm in their territory which has helped bring an end to them in the Broughton.

Two members of the Wuikinuxv First Nation prepare wild salmon to feed to guests to their territory duirng the annual Tribal Canoe Journey which brings together First Nations from up and down the Pacific Northwest. Each night the local First Nation where the canoe journiers spend the night prepares a feast to serve to their guests.

A chinook salmon ready to be prepared for a feast by the Wuikinuxv First Nation.

Fillets of wild salmon are cooked next to an open fire in the traditional manner using split western red cedar wood. Wuikinuxv First Nation territory.

“The rivers here aren’t being fished, but still salmon runs are declining.”

Joe Martin, Tla-o-qui-aht member. Tribal Parks Guardian and elected member of council for Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.

“At first glance I see a great alternative to depleting wild fish, but after 16 years here on the coast I would say there is a lot of negative science refuting the benefit. They are an eye-sore for Tofino. If they were going to be anywhere in BC they shouldn’t be here.”

Ryan Millar speaks about salmon farms, as he fillets a chinook he caught while out on a personal fishing trip. He’s been a Tofino resident for 16 years and he captains a whale watching boat.

Ahousaht member Lenny John is an outspoken critic of his nation's approach to fish farms and has engaged in numerous protests and direct actions against them.

Alexandra Morton at her home on Malcolm Island, BC in the territory of the Namgis First Nation

A collection of sea lice on an adult chinook salmon caught in the open ocean. On an adult fish these sea lice are harmless. This many lice on a juvenile salmon could be fatal. Tla-o-qui-aht territory

A male and female sockeye salmon preparing to spawn in a small tributary of the Fraser River in the unceded traditional territory of the Secwepemc First Nation.

A black bear carries a chum salmon to shore out of a coastal river on the central coast of BC. Unceded traditional territory of the Heiltsuk First Nation.

A chum salmon decomposes in a shallow coastal stream after spawning. Unceded traditional territory of the Heiltsuk First Nation.

A coastal stream bordered by old growth western red cedar rainforest in the Sydney Inlet of Clayoquot Sound BC. Ahousaht First Nation territory.

The mouth of the Moyeha River were it empties into Clayoqout Sound, BC. Almost the entire river's watershed is protected in a provincial park but the salmon runs in the river have crashed. To access the open ocean, young salmon leaving the river must pass multiple fish farms owned by Cermaq.

Historic First Nation's fish trap at the mouth of a small stream on the central Coast of BC. Unceded Heiltsuk territory. The trap is built adjacent to the mouth of a creek. At high tide fish come into the area of the trap as they prepare to go up stream. When the tide goes out those that don't go upstream are trapped by the rock wall. The breaches in the wall were created by the Canadian government who believes the trap might be the reason for declining salmon runs.