Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing-related Issues & News => Topic started by: DOdGER on August 13, 2019, 08:52:31 AM

Title: Too Many Pinks
Post by: DOdGER on August 13, 2019, 08:52:31 AM

Forgive me if this has been posted.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2019/08/11/scientists-warn-of-too-many-pink-salmon-in-north-pacific.html

Title: Re: Too Many Pinks
Post by: Easywater on August 13, 2019, 10:05:43 AM

It has been mentioned before that Russia and Alaska pump out 5 billion pink fry every year.

I don't see why Alaska does it because it could potentially reduce the growth of Sockeye which is by far the more valuable species.

The question appears to be "has the Pacific ocean reached it capacity for salmon?"

Title: Re: Too Many Pinks
Post by: RalphH on August 14, 2019, 06:01:37 PM

for perspective, the 5 billion per year number for ranched and hatchery produced pink fry is the equivalent of 5x the highest number of fry recorded for the Fraser (2009).

Also worth noting that some researchers have argued intensive hatchery production of Puget Sound coho is what caused the collapse of the Strait of Georgia summer coho stocks which has never recovered.