Salmon Crisis on West Coast.
- Thread starter OldBlackDog
- Start date
Duffer
Active Member
You would think with all the Salmon on the outside swimming down to the States obviously the Americans are putting the funds into there hatcheries, our Government needs to do the same, hopefully they havent sat on there coffers to long? Is there fish farms on the migratory routes of these systems? This sockeye problem has really got to make you wonder? Runs looked good in 2000 what has really changed since then? I think if you answer this question you will have the root of the cause. Has the Alaskan Commercial Fishery or our Commercial Fleet been hitting sockeye harder? When were the fish farms put in that area? The Government needs to spend some money on this issue NOW!!! Not later. I dont think many sportys target Sockeye on the outside.
some time back, someone posted the results of a salmon migration study. if i remember correctly, the fraser f. stocks head up the inside through johnstone strait while the columbia r. stock stay on the outside running the hwy.
that probably answers your question CC charters.
that probably answers your question CC charters.
quote:Originally posted by CC Charters
You would think with all the Salmon on the outside swimming down to the States obviously the Americans are putting the funds into there hatcheries, our Government needs to do the same, hopefully they havent sat on there coffers to long? Is there fish farms on the migratory routes of these systems? This sockeye problem has really got to make you wonder? Runs looked good in 2000 what has really changed since then? I think if you answer this question you will have the root of the cause. Has the Alaskan Commercial Fishery or our Commercial Fleet been hitting sockeye harder? When were the fish farms put in that area? The Government needs to spend some money on this issue NOW!!! Not later. I dont think many sportys target Sockeye on the outside.
The commericials have been extremely restricted in touching sockeye for many years. Basically you have ocean conditions (crap as other stocks have thrived), fish farms or native over fishing... where do you think gov't is going to point the finger.
Charlie
Well-Known Member
That is an interesting statement especially, since there are quite a few “fish farms” in that area and “no one” except DFO and the farms know much about what is really going on there? I don’t recall coming across much of anything concerning their operations regarding any diseases or sea lice? Sure would like to get my hands on the information that created those “theories”.
Here in the next few weeks you are probably (hopefully) going to hear a lot about Sockeye, migration routes, fish farms, over fishing, predators, global warming, and poor ocean conditions. In this gantlet of things our salmon face, I also hope someone addresses DFO’s cutback in their hatchery production. If you reduce the output, you certainly can’t have the returns! But then again, why should DFO try to “do” or “prove” anything that will interfere with “their plans” of becoming the #2 aquaculture producer in the world?
Concerning “Global Warming” and “Ocean Conditions”, you might want to go to the NOAA websites and start reading on the actual state of the oceans. You will find, yes we have global warming; however, it is “not” currently really having an adverse effect on our salmon. It is changing their migrating a bit, along with their habitant, they are basically seeking out the colder waters in which they migrate and feed in. Is there increase in warm water “predators”? Yes, they follow the warmer currents pretty much like they have been doing forever. Do they meet and have an effect on the salmon? Yes, during an El Nino! Now you need to do some reading on El Nino! Right now that is “not” a factor. You can’t just read one article like this one: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061207084052.htm and say there is anything to do with the ocean that is having a detrimental effect on our salmon. Most people fail to notice that article was written in 2006 and in fact, again it has gotten better for the salmon the last few years! The following are some good sites that usually keep me somewhat - up to date, as to the state of the ocean and salmon:
http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/research/divisions/fed/oeip/g-forecast.cfm (Read this whole site!)
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/
http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/plankton/
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/
http://www.noaa.gov/
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/fish/chinooksalmon.htm#distribution
Concerning the migration routes... each stock basically has its own! They do “not” follow the Continental Shelf! The Continental Shelf is rather a natural barrier they generally do not cross, either on the out or returning migration! The smolts will stay closer to the shoreline on their out migration, while the returning runs can be found anywhere starting around the Continental Shelf all the way to the surf line. Why do you think DFO has the surf line closer? Both migrations are influenced by tides, currents, and temperatures. The Skeena Sockeye seem to be migrating and moving a little farther north into AK, due to the water temperatures.
Most about 90% of the Fraser migrate north through Campbell River and Port Hardy, while the 10% balance migrate out through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Hmmm... do those numbers sound familiar or ring any bells? DFO keeps saying there is “no” scientific proof fish farms are the problem, my only question – what kind of “proof” is needed and why isn’t DFO giving information to anyone “proving” it one way or the other? I guess the only thing that can be said about that, “Salmongate”!
During an El Nino, the outbound smolts survival is usually not good due to temperature and the added pressure of those “warm water” predators! The smolt have to swim through those warm water predators... Not good for their survival! When the river temperatures get in excess of (around) 18 degrees, it will start effecting Sockeye, and around 20C (50% mortality), with around 24.6C (100% mortality). That has not only been proven – it was proven in the Fraser! So, if anyone tries to tell you these bad returns are due to either Ocean Conditions, El Nino, or warm water temperatures including those of the rivers (which dose cause kidney disease) call Bull Sh*t! None of the above apply...I have already checked!
Concerning fishing? If you want to talk about “commercial”, “sport”, and “over fishing”, I suggest you start looking a little farther north - at the Skeena. You might find something there? That stock, basically comes from one lake and it is getting hammered and hit by “everyone “, both in BC and AK and even through all that DFO did open the Sockeye up this year due to a better than forecasted return! Again, DFO talking out of both sides! I also believe if we don’t change some things there – there is a chance we are going to “fish” that one into extinction! You think Skeena is bad now, wait till there is a outbreak of disease, or let them put some “salmon farms” up there? I don’t believe that stock will be able to survive either of two!
For what it's worth and just IMHO!
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