Forecasts Predict Low Salmon Returns In Washington This Year
Listen
Every year, wildlife officials keep track of how many salmon return to their spawning grounds. This year, they expect low returns of salmon in Washington state—and that could change the fishing outlook.
Forecasts for four species of salmon—chinook, coho, sockeye and chum—are likely to limit fishing opportunities this year.
Kyle Adicks is the intergovernmental salmon manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“We have a growing population that isn’t necessarily good for salmon habitat,” he said. “We have a lot of people that value salmon—like to go out and catch them, like to see them spawning in our streams, like to see killer whales eating them in Puget Sound, but it’s kind of a resource that has been shrinking over time.”
That shrinking could be connected to declining ocean conditions, among other factors.
With the forecasted numbers in hand, fisheries managers will kick off a month-and-a-half long process next week to craft the guidelines for the 2018 fishing seasons in Puget Sound, along the coastline and up and down the Columbia River.
Related Stories:
Ocean conditions mixed for salmon, leading to average salmon returns
NOAA biologist Brian Burke says mixed ocean conditions may lead to average salmon runs, but climate change is disrupting ecosystems—making continued research critical.
Canadian leaders hope trade negotiations won’t derail Columbia River Treaty
A view of the Columbia River in British Columbia. The Columbia River Treaty is on “pause” while the Trump administration considers its policy options. However, recent comments by President Donald
Could the status of grizzly bears change in the lower 48 states?
Listen The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed an update to how grizzly bears are managed throughout the country (Credit: National Park Service) (Runtime 0:55) Read There could be
