Hatcheries in California are facing the possibility that the drought will soon make it necessary to truck salmon to ocean destinations rather than allow them to migrate naturally.
Hatcheries in California are facing the possibility that the drought will soon make the area waters dangerous for the salmon they raise.
Should the dry, hot conditions persist and make the Sacramento River warmer or its level lower, it could become necessary to transport the fish to cooler, more abundant ocean waters via a tanker truck.
At this time, the water supply is capable of sustaining the stock, but it’s uncertain how much longer the environment will be able to withstand the conditions.
The heating and drying up of the main waterway and its tributaries would compromise the safe natural migration of the fish significantly.
Warmer water in general is bad for salmon, and that problem is further complicated by the loss of food sources the drought could cause.
Increased vulnerability to predators is also a major concern.
To prevent a potentially large loss of salmon population, transport plans have been put in place that will save the fish from those potential life-threatening dangers.
It’s considered a last resort, and if the rainfall in the coming weeks can turn the drought problem around, the trucking arrangements will be cancelled.
