Salmon returns are coming back in some regions in BC, Washington, Oregon and California coast thanks to some hard work by private organizations. Below are some of the societies that are doing salmon enhancement as well as some of the latest restoration techniques. It should be noted that there are 5 different species of salmon and that Chinook (Kings) are the most prized salmon to catch followed by Coho (Silvers), Sockeye (Reds), Chum (Dog salmon) and Pinks (Humpies).
Alaska
Many rivers in Alaska are running having about half the number of Chinook come back as they did in 2002 with the exception of the Yukon River which has not seen as large a decline. Coho, Sockeye and Pink salmon fishing is still good in most parts of Alaska. Many people speculate that the Pollock fishery has hurt Chinook salmon returns and the Pollock fishery there is experimenting with ways to reduce the number of salmon taken.
British Columbia
Northern British Columbia had good returns of Chinook for 2013 which was much improved over previous years. Southern BC is forecasted to have good Chinook returns for 2014. There was a greatly improved runs of Chinook and Coho going through east coast of Vancouver Island in 2013 . It was the first time in 15 years there were Coho staying in Georgia strait during summer months, however scientists haven’t figured out why this happened. Some of the creeks and small rivers have been getting great returns of Coho and Pink thanks to salmon restoration by private societies.
- Comprehensive List of Vancouver Island Salmon Enhancement Societies
- Comprehensive List of British Columbia Salmon Enhancement Societies
BC Salmon Enhancement Community Involvement Videos
- Oyer River Enhancement Society (Scroll 1-min into video)
Washington and Oregon
There are many small creeks and rivers feeding the Columbia river in both Washington and Oregon that have contributed to to one of the largest returns on the Columbia River for Chinook salmon. Below is are links to the history of salmon enhancement on the Columbia River, as well as a listing of Washington and Oregon Watersheds.
- History of Columbia River Salmon Enhancement 1700-1900
- History of Columbia River Salmon Enhancement 1900-1950
- History of Columbia River Salmon Enhancement 1950-1980
- History of Columbia River Salmon Enhancement 1980-2000
- History of Columbia River Salmon Enhancement 2000 to present
- Columbia River Chinook Salmon Counts 1938 to present
California
California once again had good Chinook and Coho fishing in 2013. More information coming on this soon.
Russia and Japan
One third of the wild salmon harvest in the Pacific Rim can be attributed to Japan. Many of the rivers in Japan are dammed and therefore depend on local hatcheries. Both Russian and Japan have had great innovations in salmon enhancement and we will have some of these techniches made available very soon.
Misc Information
- Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking (Post) post project for tracking marine fish
- Alantic salmon release timeline on the Pacific Coast in North America
- Shellfish and Salmon Enhancement
- Strategies for salmon smolt rearing in hatcheries
- Latest Salmon Enhancement Techniques
- Salmon Enhancement News