Studying Salmon Is Essential

Humans’ relationships with salmon have changed drastically over the past few hundred years. From First Nations’ fishing to 20th century industrial harvesting, our approach to dealing with salmon as a food source has varied. And our relationship with salmon continues to evolve. It spans the range between sustainable use and exploitation, on a case-by-case-basis.

Coho salmon painted jumping against rushing white-water of a river.

Who could imagine a world without Pacific salmon? Science helps ensure the sustainability of the species. Photo: PSF

Thankfully, we have science to help us understand the state of our interaction with salmon, and the fate of salmon in general. Many individuals and organizations are devoted to working towards ensuring sustainable Pacific and to furthering our understanding of this magnificent family of fish.

  • Stock Status Resources is a collection of scientific efforts attempting to quantify and manage salmon stocks.
  • Citizen Science provides information and resources on how everyone can contribute to the health of salmon stocks in their community.
  • POST (Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking) is an innovative program to track tagged salmon as they go out to the ocean.
  • Salmon Forest focuses on the interconnected relationship of salmon, the forests they nourish and the animals that rely on those forests for suvival.
  • Habitat describes the good and bad things salmon need for life and lays out the factors and elements that contribute or detract from salmon habitat.
  • Climate Change takes a look at the effects that warming weather and water temperatures are already having on salmon.

Is there something else you’d like to see here? Something you have to add? Please, contact Think Salmon and let us know.