Sockeye salmon have been returning to the Adams River in South Central British Columbia for thousands of years. They are an ecological and cultural keystone species and a significant contributor to the economy. However, salmon populations are in decline throughout the Pacific Northwest, putting communities, economies and ecosystems at risk. The Salute to the Sockeye is a nature-based tourism experience celebrating the return of wild salmon to the Adams River. This research examines how nature-based tourism can contribute to the sustainability of a species and be a driver for change. Using a community-based participatory research methodology and interviews, this research identifies the network of actors connected to the Adams River salmon run, examines actor relationships, and considers the impacts these relations have on socio-economic and environmental sustainability. There is strong evidence to suggest that collaboration among actors, guided by local experience and knowledge, is crucial to sustaining wild Pacific salmon.
