Answers needed to ‘unprecedented collapse’ of the salmon, editorial says

From the Sacramento Bee, an editorial that notes the ‘unprecedented’ decline of the salmon and the strong possibility of fishing restrictions in the upcoming season – if salmon fishing is allowed at all. From the editorial:

If only it were easy to understand what is driving this downturn. Dams, water diversions, pollution and loss of shady river habitat clearly are hurting the effort to rebuild numbers of natural spawners.

But water diversions have spiked steadily since the 1990s in the Central Valley, and salmon nonetheless had impressive runs from 2001 to 2003. That suggests that stresses on salmon go beyond the Valley’s water projects and extend far out into the ocean.

While out at sea, salmon eat shrimp-like creatures called krill, as well as anchovies and other small fish. Some scientists have found that changes in West Coast wind patterns have disturbed a normal “upwelling” of the ocean that helps energize the food chain. This could be a harbinger of climate change or just a temporary cycle. Much more research is needed to understand the links.

In coming decades, California is expected to invest billions of dollars in new water projects, including a possible canal to divert fresh water around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. But will such projects help or hurt salmon? Or have no impact? Californians will want answers before opening their wallets.

To read the full text of this article from the Sacramento Bee, click here.

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