Salmon need our protection
Sarah Paeth
Issue date: 11/9/09 Section: Forum
When I think of an endangered species, the first thing that comes to mind is a panda bear or a cheetah. For many of us, the term "endangered species" renders a fluffy, adorable animal living in a far off distant land. Though maybe not as cute as a panda cub, the wild Pacific salmon is an endangered animal in need - and it lives right in Oregon's backyard.
The Pacific salmon encompasses five sub-species: the Chinook, Chum, Pink, Sockeye and Coho. Though each species varies slightly in appearance and weight, the Pacific salmon serves as an emblem for the Pacific Northwest. Not only does commercial salmon fishing provide a steady means of income for many Oregon families, but fishermen from all over come to Oregon to experience some of the best recreational salmon fishing in the United States.
It's nearly impossible to eat at a coastal restaurant and not spot some form of salmon on the menu - whether it be salmon chowder, fish and chips or filleted. Just like many Oregonians, salmon are strong and instinctively rooted in their environment.
Pacific salmon are born in freshwater streams throughout parts of Oregon, Washington and California. After living the first few years of life in freshwater, salmon migrate to the waters of the Pacific Ocean to bulk up and prepare for spawning. After their journey to the ocean, salmon instinctively return to their birthplace to spawn and die. The odds of surviving until adulthood are against salmon; for every 8,000 eggs produced only two spawning adults will survive. Salmon have to face natural predators, like bears and kingfishers, as well as other hindrances - like fishermen and fish ladders.
Despite being federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, counts for this year's wild Pacific salmon runs are still too low - 186,060 according to a study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Though this is a substantial increase in comparison to last year's salmon runs, it's still low enough to have some biologists worried.
The Pacific salmon encompasses five sub-species: the Chinook, Chum, Pink, Sockeye and Coho. Though each species varies slightly in appearance and weight, the Pacific salmon serves as an emblem for the Pacific Northwest. Not only does commercial salmon fishing provide a steady means of income for many Oregon families, but fishermen from all over come to Oregon to experience some of the best recreational salmon fishing in the United States.
It's nearly impossible to eat at a coastal restaurant and not spot some form of salmon on the menu - whether it be salmon chowder, fish and chips or filleted. Just like many Oregonians, salmon are strong and instinctively rooted in their environment.
Pacific salmon are born in freshwater streams throughout parts of Oregon, Washington and California. After living the first few years of life in freshwater, salmon migrate to the waters of the Pacific Ocean to bulk up and prepare for spawning. After their journey to the ocean, salmon instinctively return to their birthplace to spawn and die. The odds of surviving until adulthood are against salmon; for every 8,000 eggs produced only two spawning adults will survive. Salmon have to face natural predators, like bears and kingfishers, as well as other hindrances - like fishermen and fish ladders.
Despite being federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, counts for this year's wild Pacific salmon runs are still too low - 186,060 according to a study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Though this is a substantial increase in comparison to last year's salmon runs, it's still low enough to have some biologists worried.
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