Chinook Salmon Populations in Oregon, California Considered as Endangered After Successful Petition by Environmental Trio

An environmental trio submitted a petition to the National Marine Fisheries Service asking for the Chinook salmon populations in Oregon and California to be listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Center for Biological Diversity, The Native Fish Society, and Umpqua Watersheds jointly submitted the petition, which alleges a sharp decline in spring-run coastal Chinook salmon populations as well as those in southern Oregon and northern California. The National Marine Fisheries Service, or NOAA Fisheries, declared on January 11 that it had decided to consider the petition following a 90-day review of the application.

According to the agreement to consider the petition, NOAA Fisheries found that a rational observer would conclude that current demographic risks reflect the fact that Oregon Coast Chinook salmon might be at risk of extinction and that their status necessitates further study based on the data provided by the petitioners as well as information easily accessible in their files.

Habitat Degradation and Its Causes

The petition cites several studies that link human activities like logging, agriculture, urbanization, and dam construction to declining salmon populations. The petitions claim that these actions have damaged Chinook habitats and interfered with the ability of the species to reproduce.

According to NOAA Fisheries, there is still cause for concern regarding the degraded habitat conditions in this region, especially in light of the impact that land use and development activities have on the quality, accessibility, and habitat-forming processes. According to the petitioners, logging and road construction cause habitat degradation that reduces stream shade raises fine sediment levels, lowers the amount of large wood in streams, and changes the hydrology of watersheds.

As of 2022, two populations of Chinook salmon are designated as endangered under the ESA, and seven more are listed as threatened, according to NOAA Fisheries.

Changes in oceanic and climatic conditions, habitat loss due to urban development and dam construction, and poor water quality as a result of agricultural and logging practices, all have an impact on populations.

No Harm in Trying for "Critical Habitats"

The environmental organizations are also requesting that NOAA Fisheries designate the waterways in Oregon and Northern California used by Chinook salmon populations as "critical habitats," citing these worries.

According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, "critical habitat" is a specific area within a geographic area that was inhabited by the species at the period it was listed, and that may require special management or protection because it contains biological or physical features vital to the survival of threatened and endangered species. Areas that were not inhabited by the species during the period of listing but are crucial to its conservation may also be considered critical habitats.

Environmental organizations, however, claimed that there is little proof that the designation would help the species recover, according to the NOAA Fisheries announcement.

This is because a large portion of the protected habitats for coho salmon and chinook salmon along the Oregon coast already overlap. Based on this data, the groups have argued that the current regulatory frameworks of the federal and state governments are insufficient for restoring Chinook salmon populations as well as their habitat.

According to NOAA Fisheries, there is enough evidence to conclude that the inadequacy of current regulatory mechanisms may be endangering the survival of OC Chinook salmon. This conclusion is based on the data provided by the petitioners as well as information that is easily accessible in their files.

As a result of the petition's near-exclusive focus on spring-run Chinook populations, NOAA Fisheries reported that it has received very little information regarding the situation, trends, or threats facing the fall-run Chinook salmon in the area. As a result, the federal agency is requesting more scientific data to support its decision. The deadline for submitting scientific and commercial data regarding these species is March 13, KOIN6 reports.