November 16, 2010
Well into the 20th century, coal miners brought canaries into coal mines as an early-warning signal for toxic gases. The birds, being more sensitive, would become sick before the miners, who would then have a chance to escape into fresh air. More recently, indicator species (like the canary) are being used as measures of habitat or ecosystem quality.
Pacific salmon and steelhead have existed for at least two million years in the Pacific coastal waters of North America from Baja California through Alaska. And there is no greater indicator of the quality of our water, and the health of our watersheds.
The serious decline of salmon and steelhead which is now occurring can be seen as the proverbial canary in a coal mine--the signal of our declining watershed health.
In this issue we explore the state of the salmonids in our region, and it is not good news.
And unlike the coal miners, we cannot simply escape to clean healthy water. Immediate action is needed, and everyone must play a part if we are all to survive.
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TOC for Forest & River News, Fall 2010