Loss of Salmon and Loss of Culture

By Alice Shieh

I was surprised to find out that many species of Northwest salmon are considered threatened. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northwest branch lists at least half of the varieties of Coho, Chinook, Chum, and Steelhead salmon as either threatened or endangered. That leaves only pink salmon and sockeye salmon. (http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/ESA-Salmon-Listings/upload/snapshot0208.pdf)

Despite the fact that salmon numbers are dwindling, the public doesn't receive much education about the plight of salmon. Seattle still continues to be known for its fabulous seafood (especially salmon), cooking shows and recipe books still show us how to cook salmon, and salmon is still served in restaurants without much concern for the species' future. The survival of several varieties of salmon are threatened and, for the most part, public awareness about salmon is lacking. People simply don't talk about the fact that, within a span of 50 years', salmon runs have decreased from 16 million to 2 million (Hansen, 1994).

This is an issue that is important for the Northwest. Salmon contributes to the Northwest economy and it is an important food source for Native northwesterners. Salmon is a traditional food and an integral part of Native northwest cultures. Unfortunately, overfishing, fishery practices, and the difficulties posed by dams (such as the Columbia River dam) have all contributed to the diminished state of salmon today.

Native people, for whom salmon is culturally significant, have fought on behalf of salmon. They have also fought for the restoration of their tribal fishing rights, since Native fishing practices are, they argue, responsible and respectful of wildlife. In as far back as 1988, Simon Lucas, the then-co-chair of the BC Aboriginal Fisheries Commission and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, argued that "At the very heart of fish conservation is not catching fish today so there will be more fish to catch in the future. We have demonstrated time and time again our respect for the salmon. When the time has come for conservation, however, departmental policies prevent native so-called food fishermen from sharing in the benefits of conservation efforts." He also argued for the need for cooperation between native and non-native fishermen to solve the salmon problem.

This issue emphasizes the interconnectedness of culture, food, and land. While certainly a food issue, the loss of salmon also equates to the loss of culture and life for Native northwesterners. In an article written by Native American journalist Terri Hansen, she writes: "Salmon are at the heart of Northwest Indian culture; their diet, commerce, ceremonies and spirituality. Salmon are not just a way of life. They are life. And they are fast becoming scarce."


References (of sources whose URLs were not provided within the body of the post):

Hansen, Terri. (1994). "Pacific Northwest Salmon in Crisis." http://motherearthjournal.blogspot.com/2007/06/pacific-northwest-salmon-in-crisis-1994.html

Lucas, Simon. (1988). "The Thriving of Wild Salmon: An Address to the Suzuki Foundation's Wild Salmon conference." http://ncseonline.org/nae/docs/salmon.html

Further Reading:

Governor's Salmon Recovery Office Website
http://www.governor.wa.gov/gsro/default.asp

Indigenous Native American Fishing in the Pacific Northwest Region of North America
http://www.bauuinstitute.com/Articles/IndigenousFishingPacificNorthwest.html