Bellingham Herald: Change Indian St. to Billy Frank Jr. St.
From the Bellingham Herald yesterday on an effort underway to honor Billy Frank Jr.: “It comes with a bit of heartache that we have a street named Indian Street, because…
Dean Jackson, Quileute tribal fisheries technician, moves salmon fry out of a pool cut off from Morganroth Creek as part of the tribe's work to move as many stranded fry as possible from pools created by early and persistent drought conditions.
What Tribal Hatcheries Are Doing to Save Salmon from the Drought
Tribal hatchery managers are working to save salmon from potentially deadly water temperatures and low flows.
On the Olympic Peninsula, the Makah Tribe’s Hoko Hatchery released chinook three weeks early and sockeye a month early.
“In the summer, we’re usually looking at flows of 100 gallons a minute – we’re already at 160 gallons a minute and it’s only June,” said Joe Hinton, Makah hatchery manager. “Even with the lower flows, I have lots of room to spread them out – but as temperatures go up, I can’t do much about that.”
Temperatures higher than 60 degrees are bad for salmon, because pathogens such as Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (ich) and columnaris (gill rot) thrive in warm water. The diseases spread more quickly when the rivers are crowded by low flows, and can lead to increased pre-spawn mortality. (more…)
Janell Blacketer, and the rest of the staff at the Nisqually Tribe's community garden, prepares nettles for use by tribal members.
Nettles are a vital part of tribal diets, culture
Thanks to a concerted effort by staff at the Nisqually Tribe’s community garden, tribal members can have regular access to nettles, an important traditional food. Nettles – despite their stinging…
Quinault Indian Nation Sovereignty over Lake Quinault affirmed
A U.S. District Court judge has affirmed the Quinault Indian Nation's sovereignty over Lake Quinault and thrown out a case questioning the tribe's authority to manage the lake. “This quick…
News Tribune: Tacoma Power improves fish passage on North Fork Skokomish
The Tacoma News Tribune reported on the latest project of Tacoma Power's hydroelectric program on the North Fork of the Skokomish River, as part of the 2009 settlement with the Skokomish…
Keep Our Seafood Clean: Russ Hepfer explains why we need a strong rule
Over at Keep Seafood Clean, you should read an essay by Lower Elwha vice-chair Russ Hepfer about why a strong water quality rule would protect all Washingtonians: State government has…
King 5: Young eagle released after nearly drowning
Nano Perez and Tom Friedrich were surveying the Nisqually River for spawning steelhead when they came upon a wounded bald eagle. The tribal staff members were on hand yesterday when…
New Alaskan tribal fish commission eyes experience of Boldt tribes
Mark Trahant in Indian Country Today looks at the formation of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and how the tribes up there are drawing on the experience of tribes down…
“Sharing the burden”
Carl Burke, a contract lobbyist working for Puget Sound Anglers and the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, made a strong statement about how his employers feel about the North of Falcon…
New Video: Puyallup Tribe releases 30,000 steelhead into the upper White River
Late last week, the Puyallup Tribe released 30,000 steelhead into the upper White River. This is an interesting hatchery program that is showing real results in saving a disappearing run…