Operation Virus Hunter III

Operation Virus Hunter III © Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

This summer, Sea Shepherd is returning to British Columbia to continue in our fight to shut down the egregious practice of salmon farming. These salmon farms breed disease which in turn exposes the wild salmon, killing off major sections of their population.

Our research vessel, the Martin Sheen, recently entered British Columbian waters after being detained and questioned for two days.

But this fight is not just about the salmon. Based on several studies, it is estimated that up to 90% of the Southern Resident Killer Whales' summer diet consists of Chinook salmon. With wild salmon numbers decreasing, this is creating an extremely limited food supply for these orcas.

Unfortunately, we are already starting to see the effects of a food shortage as the rate of pregnancy failure in this population of whales has jumped to 69% due to starvation.

Without the elimination of salmon farms in British Columbia, the wild salmon population will continue to diminish, creating an even more severe food shortage for these orcas and contributing to the decline of the entire ecosystem.