This post is here on the forum and you may or may not find it of interest. > An Inconvenient Possibility
Dewayne touched on the difficulty of this management problem in his post above. In my view the larger part is getting the general public onboard understanding that these fish and other species as well are living within a cycle that can extend as far as 6 years. That's to say that it takes between 5 and 6 years before you can gauge whether any steps taken in 2018 have had a positive effect. The fish that come next year are the progeny of adults that reproduced back in 2012 or 2013.Can you foresee a possibility where the State of Alaska makes all or most of the right moves conservation wise and the weather conditions are favorable would it be possible to restore the King Salmon numbers to where they were? How long of process or how many years would it take best case scenario?
It is amusing to me that humans are the only species that thinks it should get rid of itself, but the individuals advocating it don't think that they should be the ones to go. They are more enlightened, evidenced by their wish for their own species's demise. Makes sense... Every other species in nature has survival as its primary need; why would humans be any different? We are smarter and better equipped than any other species, and at the top of the pyramid, and some want concede that spot, and get rid of some undefined subset of humans-- the nebulous "them"--and place limits on how the species reproduces. I assume that limitation must be global, crossing all political boundaries, enforced in every country and culture. I'm sure that will work out fine.Once again ... I'm reminded that the Earth needs another extinction level event. We need a pandemic to course through the human population. We need to cull the herd. Unlike bygone eras, where the fit survived and the unfit pass on without leaving offspring, that's not the case now.
We fix ugly, with plastic surgery. We extend life with invasive surgeries and life extending drugs.
So, human overpopulation is killing everything else. There should be limits on reproduction. Couples get to make two babies ... to replace themselves when they die. Zero population growth would be desirable ... population reduction preferable.
There is no global or local problem that can't be blamed on mankind.
I find it interesting that I said "walk it back" in a post and we immediately get an ad that mentions "stepping back". Coincidence? I don't think so. I just know we are being watched lol.So two people actually liked a sponsored ad? This place is certainly changing.
That is exactly what has happened "down south": over the 40 years I have been fishing. Smallmouth bass replace brown trout (that aren't native in WI but still revered). LM bass replace Pike in MN. But what happens in AK climate? It's proven Northern Pike will invade AK stillwater. Ard's lake is proof of that. What other game fish can survive? AK is warmer but it isn't Missouri just yet. The obvious answer is trout, but they better find something to eat other than king salmon eggs. That said, some salmon species runs are still pretty good all considered. Trout may adjust to the new reality. Time will tell.I think that Salmon with it's dependency on rivers/streams for reproduction and following die-off is a "doomed" species, regardless of any fishing restrictions.
It wouldn't surprise me, with the warmer water current pattern changes, there will be a new game fish taking center stage along the PNW and up to Alaska within the next few decades.
I was hoping for levity and you give me that! Now where did I put that rope...................................I think that Salmon with it's dependency on rivers/streams for reproduction and following die-off is a "doomed" species, regardless of any fishing restrictions.
It wouldn't surprise me, with the warmer water current pattern changes, there will be a new game fish taking center stage along the PNW and up to Alaska within the next few decades.
The PNW studies show that the spawning stream waters and hatcheries are getting too warm and are cooking the fry. Some are saying that with an ice-free northern passage (warmer water), the eastern salmon will mingle with it's pacific cousin sooner than later. Then there is always the possibility of Cod using the passage to establish themselves in the Pacific as well. Interesting times.I was hoping for levity and you give me that! Now where did I put that rope...................................