Pollution Killing off Salmon

[branweeds]

Here is a depressing thing to see:

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/st ... 49621.html

Regarding salmon deaths caused by pollution:

"The results show that in an estimated 40 percent of their range in the Puget Sound Basin, 10 to 40 percent of coho salmon die before they can even spawn..."

[hewesbob]

Pollution in our waters is a horrible thing but in my opinion it is wayyyyy down on the list of what is killing Salmon. The top three reason for the Salmon decline are GILL NETS, GILL NETS,GILL NETS followed by an over population of SEALS, followed by illegal over harvesting, and don't forget that the waters off the Washington and Oregon coasts have never had water temperatures recorded as warm as they have been the past few years. People seem to want to do the feel good things like banning plastic bags so they don't enter the water systems and kill fish but the population of Salmon (and ALL fish) are going to continue to decline until some how somebody in government has the guts to stand up and address the top three true issues for the decline. There are two things that we can do to help the cause. First, ask any person running for public office if they will stand up against gillnets and if they don't give a clear YES or if they dance around the topic then vote for somebody else (put party aside and vote for the good of fishing). Second thing to do is take plenty of pictures of the fish you catch, because this will be the only thing you will be able to share with the next generation.

[Onmygame]

Well, gill nets take a rather healthy cut of the VERY SMALL percentage of fish that actually make it back as adults. Most, if not all gill nets are used by tribal in the lower 48 - and are clearly off limits in terms of regulation to politicians, state & federal fisheries managers, and any other group who thinks differently. That will only change when a more productive method happens along for the tribes.

Pollution, offshore indiscriminate commercials that for the most part obliterate international waters of fish of every flavor, and climate change - take the overwhelming majority of salmon. And predators who feed on the fish when they are young get an honorable mention as do the orcas, seals and sea lions feeding on returning adults.

Some of these things don't necessarily impact them first hand so to speak - meaning if the pollution isn't killing them by poisoning them directly, or if the warmer water temps aren't killing them off, the mortality can be a result of their food source dying off, or them becoming susceptible to disease brought on by either.

It is no easy fix - for anyone, but the problem is a heck of a lot larger than gill nets.

That is for certain.

onmygame

[TrackerPro16]

The percentage of plastic that has broken down mixed in with the water has gone WAY up just since they starting watching it. There are a number of things this causes and none are good for fish for the long term. We can't keep using the ocean or other big water as a dumping ground for garbage. Well, unless we WANT the fish to die off...
Gill nets are not the main cause of declining fish numbers and the tribes help a lot with management and reproduction. I know some people like pointing fingers at the indians but they really are interested in keeping a stable population of fish.

[BARCHASER]

It's the "death of a thousand cuts". It doesn't make a lot of sense to discuss what is worse, it is all of the above. Enjoy it while it lasts. I'm 73, salmon and steelhead fishing has been going downhill for years. Every year the fishery declines a little more in various ways and locations.

I'm tired of saying "used to be", but that is the way it is..