Quilcene Coho Salmon Fishery Helps Sustain Tribes’ Way Of Life
QUILCENE (Aug. 12, 2003) – Each summer, fishermen are lured to one of the most popular fisheries in western Washington. The goal is the same for everyone: catch coho salmon making their way back to the Big Quilcene River. But while most anglers come out for the sport, others are fishing primarily for a meal.
For several Treaty Indian tribes, the Quilcene hatchery coho fishery provides a source of food for families living on reservations, where unemployment can range as high as 80 percent. Harvested salmon also play a big role in the tribes’ traditional ceremonies.