Coalition urges governors for collaboration to save salmon

A coalition of 25 organizations from the Pacific and Inland Northwest region has issued a letter to the four governors of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, calling on the four governors to support and direct the regional salmon recovery in the Columbia River Basin.

The coalition represents over three million of the region’s community-owned utility customers and thousands of businesses, farms, and manufacturers who rely on hydropower, irrigation and navigation systems.

According to the letter sent to the governors who represent the region, “hydropower plays an even bigger role, providing close to half of all our electricity and 90% of our renewable electricity.

The letter claims there isn’t any “inherent conflict between the regions hydropower, irrigation, recreation and navigation systems.

Successful fish hatchery programs and fish passage improvements have led to an increase in salmon smolts. Still, returning salmon adults have seen a decrease in the Columbia river basin and other water passages.

A recent study detailing salmon size reduction, a larger issue to declining size and population is linked to global issues.

“Declines in salmon size, primarily resulting from shifting age structure, are associated with climate and competition at sea.” according to the Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher, K. B. Oke.

According to the letter, adult salmon return rates are affected by warming oceans and declining salmonid health.

Guidelines are offered to the governors that ask for Transoceanic acknowledgment of ocean warming, acidifying oceans, and shifts in salmon predators as baseline causes of salmon size and population declines.

Also mentioned is conducting a holistic approach, diversity, equity and inclusion of vulnerable socioeconomic groups.

In closing statements, the letter details the need for diverse stakeholders to collaborate to increase salmon populations.

“We thank you for your efforts as you plan to bring diverse stakeholder groups together to help the region recover threatened and endangered salmon populations.”