Drought often evolves as a natural phenomenon in California, and during the dry years, the dire conditions create hardships for agriculture production and ranching. But the already threatened salmon populations suffer greatly from the effects of low water conditions. Particular difficulties lie with the Coho salmon found in northern California where the young fish mature in the creeks and rivers before heading out to sea. With the lack of flowing water to help them swim to the ocean, they become trapped in puddles and eventually die. Although periods of drought may be inevitable, a few creative environmentalists are helping to reverse the fate of the Coho.
Coho Salmon Characteristics
When the Coho salmon swim in the ocean, they maintain a slivery color (hence also known as silvers) and provide an important food source for Indigenous Peoples. During their ocean phase, the fish is a highly desirable catch and is one of the best sources of protein because of the high fat content and delectable taste. When the fish reach the rivers and creeks to spawn their jaws and teeth protrude and their color changes to pink and red tones. The fish are not suitable for eating during this phase.
The Coho salmon populations have dwindled for years and as stated at the Department of Fish and Game report in 2002 found through www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/documents, the estimates now barely reach 6% of the salmon found in 1940. Other factors besides drought including increased development in the northern California region, overfishing and pollution impact the survival of the species. Ironically during the wet years when El Nino conditions bring excessive rainfall to the area, the salmon population also suffers. But the current drought conditions put the Coho over the edge with little chance to complete their spawning sequence.
How Human Intervention Helps Coho Salmon Populations
The numbers of salmon returning to spawn continues to drop and those that do return now have to face the drought conditions. Members of the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN) solicit volunteers to physically move small fish out of the puddles into free flowing water where they have a chance for survival. The workers use nets to gently capture the smolts and release them downstream. Often a family event, weekends may find groups of men, women and children working together to rescue the young fish from the disconnected streams. Steelhead populations also become beneficiaries of the SPAWN efforts when they are found in the shallow waters and redirected. The hand manipulation efforts have shown success in redistributing the fish but the lower numbers of salmon reaching the fresh water makes progress difficult.
The Coho salmon is listed as endangered and is now drawing attention from federal regulators. A recovery plan is being drafted that details the effects of overdevelopment, pollution, warmer ocean temperatures and drought on the Coho salmon population. A preliminary report is due in September, but in the meantime, human hands are trying to help the Coho and give them another chance to continue their intriguing life cycle.
 |
