Upper Skagit Indian Tribe Celebrates Huge Rebound of Baker River Sockeye
The Baker River salmon run has reached a historic milestone this year, with nearly 92,000 sockeye salmon returning to the river. This achievement is a result of collaborative efforts between the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, state wildlife officials, and the hydroelectric utility that initially caused the decline.
Scott Schuyler, the tribe's policy representative for cultural natural resources, has been monitoring the fish run for over 40 years. He noted that the run had previously declined to just 80 fish in 1985, rendering it nearly extinct.
"We basically lost this run... Back in 1985 the run went down to 80-ish or so fish, which is basically extinct. And it was due to hydropower that caused their demise, and it was hydropower that helped fix the run to get to where we are today."
Schuyler also mentioned that the tribe once had a fishing village called S.báliuqʼ (pronounced 'sih-’BALL’-ih-QUE’) on Baker Lake.
Author's summary: The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe celebrates a record-breaking rebound of sockeye salmon.