Two new exhibits exploring B.C’s coast coming to Royal BC Museum

GO FISH and The Island in the Middle of Everywhere open July 10

Two new exhibits exploring B.C’s coast coming to Royal BC Museum Published 3:30 pm Friday, July 10, 2026 Over the summer, Royal BC Museum visitors will have the opportunity to explore two new travelling exhibits that cover the landscapes, waters and living history of the B.C. coast through immersive films, photos and archaeology. Opening Friday, July 10, GO FISH and The Island in the Middle of Everywhere invites museum-goers to witness the ecological and cultural significance of the Salish Sea from two distinct perspectives – one beneath the ocean surface, and the other through thousands of years of human connection to place.

“These exhibits bring visitors closer to the rich natural and cultural histories of the Salish Sea,” noted Allison Bond, CEO of the museum, in a news release. “They tell the story of enduring connections between ecosystems and communities that shape British Columbia.” GO FISH is a 14-minute video installation that transports visitors into the heart of the annual Pacific herring spawn in the Salish Sea.

It’s presented across three large screens with an enveloping evocative soundscape and follows millions of herring as they return to the coastal waters of the K’omoks First Nation. The story is filmed underwater, topside, and from the air; the installation creates a narration-free experience that celebrates one of the West Coast’s most “spectacular ecological events.” “We are delighted to bring GO FISH to the Royal BC Museum, a perfect venue for audiences of all ages to come swim with the herring,” say filmmakers Scott Smith and Nettie Wild.

The Island in the Middle of Everywhere explores the archaeological and cultural history of Xwe’etay and Lasqueti Island through photography and video. The exhibit highlights the Island’s enduring relationships with Coast Salish peoples and showcases how archaeological research is helping uncover stories of Indigenous stewardship, innovation and sustainable food systems that span generations. “Together, these exhibits offer visitors new perspectives on the interconnected relationships between land, water, wildlife and people that continue to shape B.C. today,” noted the release.

The two exhibits will be on display at the Royal BC Museum through to Jan. 10, 2027. Both exhibits are located on the museum’s 3rd floor and are included with admission.