U.S. is overspending to save salmon

According to Timothy Male the United States is spending too much to save salmon.

In 2011 spending by all federal agencies on chinook salmon was greater than the amount spent by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service trying to recover all of the more than 1,400 other species on America’s endangered species list.

LINK (via:The Seattle Times)

It's the anadromous version of Wild Waves

Photo: Saberwyn

Fish protections, irrigator access and hydro power generation are chief among the concerns at the mid-Columbia River’s Wanapum Dam, where on Feb. 27 a 65-foot long horizontal crack was discovered at one of the facility’s 12 spillways.

Fish biologists, engineers, and stakeholders are developing plans to modify the two fish ladders at Wanapum Dam to allow migrating salmon and steelhead to safely pass the dam when the adult spring Chinook salmon run begins in mid-April. Over the course of the spring, summer and fall, Chinook, coho and sockeye salmon, steelhead, bull trout, lamprey, shad and other fish species pass over the dam. Wild spring Chinook and steelhead stocks, as well as bull trout, are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Such ladder fixes could include the installation of a water pumping system to feed the ladders and potentially some sort of slide to ease the fishes’ exit into the Wanapum pool.

The utility is also evaluating plans for capturing and transporting adult fish around the reservoir.

LINK (via: The Dalles Chronicle)

Truckin' got my fish cashed in....

Starting next month, millions of young California salmon could be migrating to the ocean in tanker trucks instead of swimming downstream in the Sacramento River

State and federal wildlife officials have  announced a plan to move hatchery-raised salmon by truck in the event the state’s ongoing drought makes the Sacramento River and its tributaries inhospitable for the fish. They fear the rivers could become too shallow and warm to sustain salmon trying to migrate to sea on their own.

The trucking plan, devised by the state and federal fisheries agencies, includes a series of triggers, based on river and water supply conditions, that would launch a massive operation to haul the salmon in tanker trucks on a nearly three-hour drive from Red Bluff to San Pablo Bay near Vallejo.

LINK (via: Sacremento Bee)

Unfortunately there is science that suggests transporting juvenile salmon hinders adult migration. 

Fish-guiding technology getting a test run on US salmon

California’s department of water resources is installing a floating, fish-guidance boom to prevent migrating chinook salmon taking a dangerous detour.

LINK (via:Undercurrent News)

This is Salmon

Patagonia Provisions wild sockeye salmon is fully cooked, ready to eat and responsibly sourced. The unopened package requires no refrigeration and is pack, dry-bag and shelf stable. Enjoy as is, or for a hot meal, heat the sealed package in hot water for 7 minutes. Open, drain and serve over your favorite rice, grain or greens. 

Also availble in Lemon Pepper.

A Special Evening with Dr. David Montgomery

An Evening with David Montgomery is a fundraiser in support of Save Our Wild Salmom's work to protect and restore wild salmon and steelhead, and the rivers and watersheds upon which they depend.

When: Thursday, February 27 - 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Where: The Burke Museum on the UW Campus in Seattle.

Suggested donation: $25 per person

Reserve your tickets here. Space is limited.

This event coincides with the Burke Museum's exhibit Elwha: A River Reborn, based on the book by Seattle Times reporter Lynda Mapes and photographer Steve Ringman. The exhibit will be available for viewing during the event.