Where have the salmon and steelhead gone?

Wild salmon and steelhead populations have declined steadily over the past 20 years, and several runs are listed as threatened and endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Out of approximately 1000 native stocks in Oregon, Washington and California, 106 are extinct and 314 are at risk of extinction. Nearly everyone in the Pacific Northwest has an opinion on why our native salmon and steelhead runs continue to decline: Sport fishermen blame predators like seals and sea lions. Commercial fishermen blame dams and habitat.  Hatcheries are also a popular scapegoat. The truth is that all of these elements have a negative impact on the health of wild salmon and steelhead runs. These factors also hinder successful recovery efforts. Taken individually, predators, dams, habitat and hatchery practices all take a toll on native fish runs. Combined, the result is disastrous. Adding insult to injury is the fact that these all of elements are caused by humans, not nature. Yet the most significant obstacle to salmon and steelhead recovery, is non selective over harvest. Ironically, it is also wholly within our control.

What can we do? There is no easy, inexpensive or quick way to recover and protect our native runs. Since salmon and steelhead cross jurisdictional boundaries, finding a solution must involve everyone - public and private, tribal, commercial, and recreational interests. Although we have done a lot to restore our native runs, populations are still declining and we will need to do more if we are to save these runs from extinction.