California Chinook Salmon disappear without a trace
The last few weeks, we've heard rumors about Chinook Salmon fishing season being declared closed from Oregon to Mexico distressingly early in the season. The NY Times has now reported on the reason why: there are no fish.
The Chinook that swim upstream to spawn in the Sacramento River have just disappeared, without a trace. And nobody is sure why.
The fishing industry is pointing the finger at mismanagement of the Sacramento River by state and local officials. The state and local officials are pointing their finger at unusual ocean conditions in 2005 which may have left the hatchlings bereft of food.
It's yet another example of how species can be impacted when the Earth's biological clock is disrupted. Many species, including the salmon in our local Pacific Northwest, depend on perfect timing of available food supplies. Climate change and other human activities can disrupt this balance and wipe out species remarkably fast.
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