IMPORTANCE OF CHINOOK | endangeredspecies

Why are Chinook Important?

The unassuming, yet extremely strong chinook salmon plays a large role in the environment and economy in both direct, and indirect ways.

Chinook salmon, also called “king salmon” is very sought after and often considered the nicest type of salmon to eat. For this reason, it makes it very desirable on the market, and many fisherman and individuals seek this specific species of salmon. The industries–commercial fishing, recreational fishing tourism–generate great economic stimulation. However, the downside to being such a popular fish is that this keystone species is now endangered in the Columbia River and in the Central Valley river system (Meyer, 1982). If the endangerment of chinook salmon continues at the current rate, they may soon become extinct in these areas and cause a massive trophic cascade throughout these two ecosystems.

Fishing Reels in Cash

Washington relies on wildlife for economic prosperity with $1.1 billion coming from sport fishing, and $3.8 coming from commercial fishing. Without healthy salmon populations, Washington state would suffer a great deal economically (Olsen, 2006).

Chinook salmon are a large economic contributor in commercial fishing, as well as attracting tourists with recreational fishing in rivers, creeks, and estuaries. Recreational fishing takes place commonly in Washington on the Columbia River for these chinook salmon. The Columbia River cuts through the dense forest as it winds its way from Oregon, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Chinook salmon used to be a fish that locals could rely on to return every year, and attract visitors to fish. This played a large role in these local areas, especially in small, remote, fishing villages where there is little to draw in outsiders.

The chinook salmon would fight their way from the ocean and return after the long journey to the Columbia River to spawn. Chinook salmon in the Columbia River used to be a destination for fishing but has since decreased along with the decline in salmon populations. (Meyer, 1982). Small, isolated rural communities are struggling economically with the loss of tourism from fishing.

Adding to Agriculture

Chinook salmon play a crucial economic role in agriculture indirectly. As the sun rises over the Central Valley, one can notice patches of crops creating a quilt that blankets the valley. Tomatoes, almonds, olives, lettuce, avocados, are grown here–nurtured by the warm California sun, and the nutrient-rich water from the Sacramento River. So what would the U.S. look like if California stopped producing so much fresh produce?

Well, the American diet would be expensive, and mostly grain based. California produces 99% of artichokes and walnuts, 97% of kiwis and plums, 95% of celery and garlic, 71% of spinach, the list goes on (Palmer, 2013). Nutrients from the Sacramento River are essential to maintaining high crop production from the Central Valley.

This is a lot of pressure to put on the river, especially since chinook salmon are endangered here. Salmon are the only species that brings nutrients back up to the rivers and creeks. This is especially important in the Central Valley because this nutrients goes directly into the soil and the plants that grow our food. Without this nutrients, the plants could reach a degradation state would not grow as fast or be as healthy. Agriculture adds over $20 billion to the California gross state product (The Measure of California Agriculture, 2009). For these reasons, it is essential that the water remains nutrient rich from the chinook salmon.

Food for All

A Cultural Icon

For generations, Chinook Salmon have been a symbol of unwavering resilience and strength for numerous Native American Tribes in the Pacific Northwest. The cultural role chinook salmon play in Washington is incomparable to any other species in the region. Chinook salmon were very important to many tribes in the Pacific Northwest and there was even a tribe called The Chinook Tribe. This tribe understood the life cycle of the salmon very well, and respected it. The Chinookan people relied on chinook salmon for food throughout the year: they would smoke it to preserve it for the rest of the year until the return of the salmon. The salmon was also used for its oils which were then traded with the Europeans quite commonly. Even at this early age, chinook salmon played an important role in economic trade and interaction for many people (Chinook Tribe).

Chinook salmon was more than a commodity to the Chinook Tribe and the Umatilla tribe, it was a sacred piece of their religion. Their beliefs revolved around the idea that there were Great Spirits which protected them and gave them resources. It was believed that salmon were humans in the skin of the salmon, who were sent by the Salmon King to swim from the ocean back to the rivers to give themselves as gifts to the Native Americans. To honor this gift, the tribe would have a ceremony celebrating the annual arrival of the salmon. (Harrison, 2008).

Fishing Reels in the Cash

Adding to Agricultre

A Cultural Icon

Nutrient Cycling

The most important ritual of this tribe was the First Salmon Feast, which honored the chinook salmon that faithfully returned to them each year. (Chinook Tribe). Although there were variations amongst different groups, this ritual always took place. It was customary to wait several days after the first fish had been sighted to allow so salmon to get up river. This is how they ensured the salmon populations stayed healthy and they were given an opportunity to spawn upriver. However, during this time a single fisher was allowed to spear single salmons at a limited number. After several days had passed, the chief would open the fishery up to the rest of the tribe. Elaborate dances were conducted and music was played to celebrate the return of the salmon. These rituals involved vibrant costumes and lively dances with music to celebrate this event (Harrison, 2008).

A symbol, an icon, a species of strength.

"Only when the last tree has died, and the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money."

-Native American Proverb

Nutrient Cycling

The Loss of the Chinook Will Cripple Life in the River

The Chinook Salmon’ vital niche is an essential nutrient recycler and the only species that brings nutrients back upstream in its ecosystem, life in the river as we know it could end without the chinook. With their extensive decrease in population and the immense increase in endangerment, these indicator species are facing immense problems and it shows throughout their entire environment. As an indicator species, its the job of the chinook salmon to convey its surrounding habitats condition as a whole. The healthier the chinook species as a whole, the healthier the environment around it (Environmental Protection Agency, 2017).

During their remarkable lifetime, they migrate through dams and other obstructions to estuaries as smolts and then into the ocean to feed and mature. In the midst of this extraordinary journey, the juveniles prey on large zooplankton, herring, pilchard, sand lance and other fishes, squid, and crustaceans as they begin to feed in the ocean (Scott, Caren, 2017). The crucial ocean stage of the Chinook salmon life cycle lasts 1–5 years (Oroville Ferc Relicensing, 2003). Once reaching optimal size and age they make the phenomenal return to their spawning point to reproduce. As an androgynous species, chinook are born in freshwater, mature at sea and return to their original spawning point to produce the next generation.

This allows nutrients from the ocean to reach freshwater territories through chinook consumption. As a nutrient recycler, these extraordinary fish release nutrients upstream in the form of both feces and their actual body. Feces, when in the right conditions can release nitrogen and phosphorus, both vital nutrients in plant growth (Petterson, 1988). Their carcasses also provide various nutrients, such as carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen, that make up its organs and flesh Macronutrients such as Potassium, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen, are vital to plant life. All three provide different benefits to plants, Potassium helps with plant

growth rates, Phosphorus helps with root growth, and Nitrogen or Nitrate is a natural form of oxygen in the soil. (Environmental Protection Agency, 2017). These plants act as significant food for surrounding mammals. This growth helps maintain plant populations, thus minimize the terrible CO2 gases in the air that we breathe through the process of photosynthesis. Without this niche, we are left with less plants, and more dangerous CO2 gas in our atmosphere.

This increase in CO2 will only continue to be detrimental to the chinook habitat and species. The rise of CO2 gases in only contributing to global warming and climate change through increasing temperatures. With the temperature increasing, so does the water temperature. This is a big concern since chinook salmon prefer water that is under 14 C for maximum survival (Scott, Caren, 2017). As an indicator species, their decline in population will directly affect us and the rest of the food web around them, altogether causing a rippling effect. Remarkable mammals such as bears and eagles depend on chinook and other salmon species for the nutrients they need to survive. These predators depend on their magnificent migration for their hunting patterns to continue to thrive.

Food for All

Chinook salmon are a major source of food for a wide variety of animals, only adding to their title as the “backbone” to their ecosystems. Chinook salmon are an important food staple for the following animals: