Toxic Runoff Among Threats to Coho Salmon
Editor’s note: this recent study found that Coho salmon are killed within hours by the runoff from roads in Seattle — and researchers aren’t sure exactly what compound (or mixture) is responsible. One thing is for sure: runoff is a minor problem compared to the main threats to salmon: dams, industrial overfishing, logging, and global warming. These threats — especially dams — are responsible for the major decline from historic salmon numbers in this region, which has cascading effects on the dozens of animal species, hundreds of insect species, and countless plants and other creatures that benefit from the salmon spawning. For the salmon to recover, yes - runoff must be stopped. But most importantly, the dams MUST come down. ...