Sun Ruixiang: A Record of Fish-Watching in Canada
Sun Ruixiang
Since first setting foot on Canadian soil in the fall of 2010, I've been captivated by the stunning natural scenery and diverse culture here. Over the past decade or so, I've lived and traveled intermittently across Canada, leaving no stone unturned along the main scenic routes of Eastern and Western Canada, leaving me with countless profound impressions. Maple leaves, ice wine, lobster, Canada geese, Banff town, the Rocky Mountaineer train, as well as the snow in Toronto, Stanley Park in Vancouver, Niagara Falls in Ontario... the list is endless.
Today, I am telling my friends the story of Canadian salmon, a truly awe-inspiring spectacle of life. I have had the privilege of witnessing the salmon run firsthand in both Vancouver and Toronto, and personally experiencing the unique joy of salmon fishing. What I saw in Vancouver was Pacific salmon, and what I saw in Toronto was Atlantic salmon. Although they belong to different populations, their life habits are identical, and the spectacular, poignant scene of their migration is equally moving.
As autumn arrives, it's salmon migration season, and a magnificent, tragic epic of life's struggle is unfolding. Fish migration is normally a natural phenomenon, nothing out of the ordinary. However, salmon migration, due to its arduous and tragic journey, has become a special spectacle, breathtaking and awe-inspiring, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world to witness it annually.
Salmon is a species of anadromous fish with unique habits, a typical representative of migratory fish for reproduction. Salmon fry hatch in autumn in freshwater rivers with gentle currents. By spring, the fry descend the river into wide lakes and, after one year, leave the lakes and flow into the sea. Four years later, in spring, an innate sense of mission calls adult salmon to begin their journey home. Not until autumn do the salmon finally reach the starting point of their lives, where they spawn, become fertilized, and then die together, thus completing the cycle of life. It was not until recently that scientists discovered that salmon have iron particles resembling a compass in their small heads, which allows them to find their original homes by relying on the Earth's magnetic field lines. It is truly miraculous.
Canada borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, making it one of the world's largest salmon producers and home to one of the largest salmon migrations. The salmon migration season runs from early September to November, with temperatures between 3°C and 10°C being the most suitable. In abundant years, the number of migrating salmon is spectacular, reaching up to a million fish in a single day. There are many places within Canada where one can witness the salmon migration, with over a dozen locations in and around Toronto. However, Vancouver is the premier destination for this natural spectacle.
That October, my daughter and I came to Vancouver to witness the salmon's extraordinary life journey. Our local Chinese friends, Mr. and Mrs. Cai, specially accompanied us and took us to the famous Weaver Creek Spawning Channel. It takes about a 2-hour drive from downtown Vancouver to get there. The Weaver Creek Spawning Channel is an artificial channel built in 1965, with a total length of 2,932 meters. The purpose of excavating the channel was to maintain clean water quality conducive to spawning and to prevent the eggs from being washed away by floods.
Approaching the spawning stream, the scene before me was astonishing. Every spring, mature salmon, having stored enough fat, begin their arduous migration from the depths of the Pacific, over 5,000 kilometers away. Upon reaching this point, their bodies develop white spots and are covered in wounds; some even deform with humped backs and pointed noses. Their originally silvery bodies turn a vibrant red due to the influence of sex hormones. There is a poignant legend that their bodies turn red because the strain of swimming against the current causes their blood vessels to burst. After reaching their spawning grounds, pairs of salmon, disregarding their exhaustion, work together to dig a nest for their eggs and fertilize them. For the next few days, they guard the nest until they are utterly exhausted and die. Their decomposing bodies in the water become a source of nutrition for the baby salmon. Seeing the patches of dried adult dead fish on the riverbed, the tragic scene moved onlookers to tears.
A startling statistic reveals the survival of the fittest and the law of natural selection among salmon. According to data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, each pair of salmon produces an average of 4,000 eggs. After a winter of predation by birds and other fish, approximately 800 fry successfully hatch the following spring.As they swim toward lakes and the ocean, they face further threats from nature and various predators; roughly 200 survive to reach the sea. Four years later, only 10 are able to return to their birthplace, of which 8 are caught and consumed by humans, leaving just 2 to ultimately reach their point of origin. Some estimates suggest that only 0.41% of salmon successfully make it to the end. These stark, blood-stained statistics are truly shocking.
In fact, it's hard for us to witness the magnificent salmon migration in the spawning channels. On their long migration routes, inaccessible to ordinary people, they have to brave countless rapids and treacherous shoals, and repeatedly leap powerfully from the water, overcoming obstacles with jumps nearly two meters high. When crossing shallow areas, their bellies rub against the riverbed, and they twist and jump... with heavy casualties.
During their migration, salmon stop feeding and endure their journey upstream, dodging predators on an empty stomach. In the ocean, orcas, otters, and sea lions are deadly killers. It's a difficult journey into freshwater rivers where brown bears, black bears, wolves, and bald eagles lie in wait. Even if they are lucky enough to reach their spawning grounds, some will tragically die from exhaustion in the final moments before laying their eggs, a sight that evokes deep sorrow and sadness.
If our trip to Vancouver showed us the spectacular sight of the Pacific salmon's poignant migration, then in Toronto, we experienced more of the joy of fishing for Atlantic salmon and the local government's strict regulations.
In October of 2021, Mr. Jin, a well-known media personality in Toronto, invited us to go salmon fishing. I love fishing. Back in the day, when I was a reporter in China, I often drove to the countryside for interviews and would fish along the way. The common catches were carp, crucian carp, and grass carp. I also fish in Toronto, but this would be my first time fishing for salmon in my life, so I was very excited.
That day, we drove east from Toronto to the municipality of Clarington, located more than 60 kilometers away on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Here in Bowmanville, there is a stream that winds its way to Lake Ontario. It meanders with a rhythm of rapids and calm stretches, surrounded by mixed trees and the calls of wild ducks. Every September, Atlantic salmon begin their migration through here. Unlike the salmon seen in Vancouver, the salmon here are a deep gray color, with no visible scars, and are larger, weighing around 20 pounds. In the shallow riverbed, salmon can be clearly seen swimming upstream in groups of three to five, making it an ideal spot for fishing.
Canada has a vast network of rivers and a large number of fishing enthusiasts. The government has strict regulations on fishing activities to protect the natural ecosystem and fishery resources. First, you need to purchase a “fishing license,” which is a permit to fish. Fishing without a license is prohibited. Fishing licenses are divided into amateur and sport categories, with different categories allowing for different quantities of catch to be taken. Generally, this is controlled at 2-5 fish. There are also specific restrictions on salmon fishing methods. You may clearly see large fish swimming right in front of you, but you can only catch them by hook, not by net. Furthermore, you must use only one rod and one hook. If you hook a fish anywhere other than its mouth, you must release it. Local residents will report anyone violating the regulations, and fisheries officers also conduct regular patrols. If you are caught breaking the law, you may be taken to court and face heavy penalties. In other words, fishing here is purely for entertainment and recreation.
Mr. Jin is an expert angler with professional and excellent fishing gear. Upon arriving at his destination, he took out his complete set of equipment from the trunk, skillfully put on his waterproof suit, and placed a bag containing mineral water, snacks, and a small knife for gutting fish on the spot. He walked directly into the river with his fishing rod, standing and walking occasionally in the shallow water of the riverbed to observe the fish. Once he found a good spot, he cast his line, letting it drift with the current. Without bait, he repeatedly reeled in and cast, and the fish took the hook. His movements were fluid and graceful. I observed that the gear and actions of the anglers nearby were generally similar, and they all appeared content and relaxed, strolling at their leisure. Since I hadn't purchased a fishing license, I couldn't join in and could only watch and learn from the sidelines, which I also found very enjoyable.
Fish swim by, but are hard to catch. It takes great skill and patience to reel in a fish once you've hooked it. They say "nine out of ten fish escape," referring to the difficulty of reeling them in. A big one around 20 pounds is a fierce fighter. One flick of its head and tail can break your rod or line, and it might even drag you into the water. The Black angler next to me was led by his big catch for two or three miles before the fish was finally worn out and surrendered. I seized the opportunity to pose with his catch, a souvenir of my first salmon fishing trip.
Migratory salmon have aging flesh, making them no longer suitable for sashimi. They are also too large to be easily transported. Some are released on the spot, while others are immediately gutted and their roe is extracted. Some people fillet the fish and take the meat home to cure and process before consumption. All of these are permitted on-site processing methods. Along the roadside, we can often see anglers cheerfully waving at us while carrying bulging plastic bags. Without a doubt, they must be full of salmon roe, ready for a delicious meal back home.
The angler's intention is not in the fish, but in the mountains and waters. That day, the fishing conditions were poor, and the general catch was meager. A fellow angler mentioned that if we came in mid-September, the salmon would be as numerous as carp crossing a river, a spectacular sight. Mr. and Mrs. Zhang, who accompanied me, are from Hong Kong and Taiwan respectively. It was also the first time for the couple to watch salmon fishing in Canada. Although they couldn't try fishing themselves, they were as excited and happy as I was. Let's plan to come again next year. We came with enthusiasm and left content, which is enough.
An amusing thing happened that day too. Because we couldn't catch any fish, we kept walking further and further until we got lost. Mr. Jin thought the exit was on the other side of the river and decided to wade across. But I wasn't wearing waterproof gear, so Mr. Jin insisted on carrying me on his back. To our surprise, after crossing, we realized we were still in the wrong direction, so he carried me back. A 60-year-old fat man carrying a 63-year-old fat man across the river twice – you can imagine the awkwardness. A Black angler nearby joked, "How much tip are you going to give him, haha..."
Witnessing the salmon run in Vancouver and Toronto and personally experiencing salmon fishing is truly a rare experience, which has also elevated my understanding of salmon. The salmon's arduous journey home and its magnificent life cycle are deeply moving, giving rise to “salmon culture.” Local governments have implemented various measures to protect salmon resources, such as ensuring migratory passage for salmon when constructing dams. People stand by the “fish ladder,” cheering on the brave salmon as they leap, creating a spectacular scene. During the salmon run season, salmon associations in some parts of Canada hold events themed ”Salute to the Sockeye” (Salmon Celebration, Salmon Festival). These events feature a rich variety of activities, including lectures on salmon knowledge, photo exhibitions, handicraft art exhibitions, cultural performances, and the sale of souvenirs.
I believe people praise salmon for its deep affection for its homeland, its indomitable spirit to swim against the current, its obsession with pushing limits, and its fearlessness in embracing life and death. This is probably the inspiration that salmon leaves us.
(September 2024, Toronto)
Sun Ruixiang Profile:
Sun Ruixiang, English name Jack Sun. Professor of Journalism, Doctor of Literature, writer of documentary essays, and former Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at Tianjin Normal University. Winner of the "Tianjin Outstanding Teacher" title. Editor-in-Chief of Canada Legend Culture Media Group, founder of Canada Observer, North America Outlook, Ruixiang Vision, and Ruixiang Cultural and Creative Studio. Distinguished Professor at the Department of Film and Television Media of the Toronto Conservatory of Music, special advisor to the Association of Chinese Media Reporters in Canada, senior advisor to the Toronto Chinese Media Workers Association, Vice Chairman of the World Tourism Promotion Alliance, member of the Chinese Writers Association of Canada, member of the Canadian Colleges and Universities Literature Society, member of the Chinese Pen Centre of Canada, and member of the Chinese Pen Centre of Canada of Greater China.
Graduated from Fudan University's Department of Journalism in 1982. Served as Director of the Tianjin branch of the Economic Information Daily, special correspondent for Tianjin Daily, and Vice President of the Research Committee on the History of Journalism Education of the Chinese Society of Journalism History. Published six academic works on journalism and communication (including "The Magic of Language," "Principles of Advertising Planning and Creativity," "Journalism and Contemporary Society - A Sociological Perspective of Communication," "Mass Culture and Communication Studies," "Advertising Planning and Creativity," and "Interpretation of the Generative Mechanisms and Communication Dynamics of Contemporary Chinese Popular Culture"). Authored over three million characters in various journalistic, literary, and academic works, receiving multiple high-level journalism and academic awards. Published hundreds of essays, poems, short stories, and documentary pieces in publications such as Tianjin Daily, China Seniors Daily, China Tourism News, Canadian Chinese Commercial News, China Writers Network, and US Chinese News Network. His works have been included in multiple anthologies published in China, the United States, and Canada, and he has served as an editorial board member for several anthologies.
