Salmon fishing has been an important part of the Washington economy for centuries.
Salmon have been an extremely important fish throughout most of the history of the state of Washington. Unfortunately, the popularity of this fish means that its numbers have been declining since the beginning of the 20th century. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, as of 1992, 214 wild salmon stocks were considered at risk. Fishing methods, historical rulings on fishing rights and laws regarding salmon fishing all have a significant effect on the population of Washington salmon.
Native Salmon Fishing
Prior to European colonization, native peoples in the Columbia River Basin relied on salmon as an important protein source. According to the Northwest Power and Preservation Council, native Washington tribes fished for salmon as many as 1,500 years ago and had well-established trap and net systems by the time of European first contact. Salmon meat was dried for winter consumption and traded between tribes. Historians estimate the native salmon catch during the 19th century rivaled that of commercial fisheries operated by settlers.
Non-native Fishing
According to the Northwest Power and Preservation Council, the first commercial European salmon catch occurred in 1830, when Captain John Dominis shipped 53 barrels of salted salmon to Boston in an attempt to establish an export trade. Unfortunately, his venture failed, due to packing problems. Salmon remained a regional food until the development of canning. When the first salmon cannery opened on the Columbia River in 1866, the river boasted only two commercial fishing boats. By 1872, there were 100. Immigrant fishermen from Canada and Europe began to fish the region extensively.
Conflict
Commercial salmon fishing in Washington eventually depleted salmon numbers and decreased native catches. By 1850, natives were increasingly crowded out of traditional fishing sites. According to the Northwest Power and Preservation Council, few fishing sites remained by 1942. Many of these were destroyed by the construction of a dam at The Dalles. In 1974, Judge George Boldt ruled that native peoples were entitled to 50 percent of available salmon in Washington.
Population
Overfishing became a significant problem in the early 20th century, leading to a declining salmon population in the mid to late part of the century. In 1911, the commercial catch was 49.5 million pounds on the Columbia River. By 1938, it had declined to 18.8 million pounds, and in 1953, the catch dropped below 10 million pounds for the first time. Dams and habitat destruction also encouraged a reduced population. Salmon decline continued through the 1990s. In 1995, the annual commercial catch dipped below one million pounds.
Conservation Efforts
Efforts to conserve Washington salmon increased in the late part of the 20th century and the early part of the 21st century. By the early 2000s, the catch had gone back up to five million pounds per year. Many non-native commercial fisheries moved to Alaska, which had more plentiful fish and a longer season. Use of net pens to catch salmon, and use of alternative fishing techniques like tangle nets has increased the salmon population. When numbers are very low, such as in the 2008 season, fishing may be limited or canceled entirely.
