08/30/2025
In an August 28, 2025 VIA article 'Why are yellow fish painted near storm drains in Vancouver? Have you spotted any in your neighbourhood?' Elana Shepert reports:
"They may look adorable, but the yellow fish painted by Vancouver storm drains aren't there to put a smile on your face (although they might).
Yellow fish have been painted by storm drains for decades, reminding people that water (and anything else) goes directly into a local water body.
Canada has five major watersheds, and the Lower Mainland is part of the Pacific Ocean network. Water moving through local sewer systems collects pollutants, eventually contaminating water bodies including the Fraser River, Burrard Inlet, False Creek, and English Bay, according to the City of Vancouver.
- Who started the program?
Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) started the Yellow Fish Road program in 1991. Over 220 Canadian communities have approved or implemented the water quality initiative since its inception.
- What kind of things can pollute water that goes into storm drains?
Storm drains can be polluted by anything that isn't natural, so anything other than rain, snow, or hail. Some of the common contaminants include pesticides, oil, pet f***s, garbage, grass clippings, car wash, and antifreeze. Polluted runoff can also make its way to storm drains from areas where the soil cannot absorb it.
- Who can participate in the program?
The program is open to everyone curious about how human behaviour and the sewer system impact the environment, and how to protect it. Some people who may be interested include students, environmental groups, and church groups, according to the City of Vancouver..."
Yellow fish are painted next to storm drains to act as a visual reminder that these drains often connect directly to local waterways, and that any waste poured down them, other than rainwater, can contaminate the water and harm aquatic life. This widely adopted initiative, such as the Yellow Fish Road Program by Trout Unlimited Canada*(1), serves to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting freshwater ecosystems and to encourage environmentally responsible waste disposal practices.
*Link:
(1)https://cdn.watersheds.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Yellow-Fish-Road-Program-Guide-by-Trout-Unlimited-Canada.pdf
