A serious dilemma has come about, concerning one of our most popular fish. This situation is once again a product of mankind commercializing off of something that was originally meant to help a species.
Salmon
Salmon is one of the United States most eaten fish. That being said...Atlantic Salmon is considered endangered in both Maine and Connecticut. The Bay of Fundy's rivers have also been affected in Canada, enough to be "at risk" (the equivalent to the United States "endangered species list").
Since 1951 man has tried to introduce Atlantic Salmon into the Northwest waters to add fish runs and provide more opportunities for the fisherman. Of course the Atlantic Salmon cannot live in these waters so they never returned as to establish any fish run, because the Atlantic Salmon wouldn't breed with the Pacific Salmon. This is where man should have left well enough alone. Even when scientists tried to force breed them in a laboratory it didn't work.
Instead...this indeed is where the dilemma really started. Atlantic Salmon is a favorite...and since they couldn't get sustainable fish runs someone decided to breed different traits in the salmon in order for them to live in fresh water. This is where the commercialization started.
New Problem!!!!!
Now it has been reported that between 4,000 and 185,700 farmed Atlantic Salmon have escaped from a fishery in Washington. Now...granted...supposedly these salmon will not breed with the wild salmon. But farmed fish have been known to have diseases and are given antibiotics. They are now roaming free in the waters to mingle with WILDLIFE! The Lummi Tribe has considered this a state of emergency.
I do indeed believe that we really need to take a look at the problems we have already created when we mess with the DNA of the creatures here on Earth. There is a reason why they are the way they are,and live where they live. If the environment changes, it has been shown that animals can evolve. this is the only way these creatures can change and still survive.
Let me know what you think. Maybe we as a community can come up with a solution that won't create another problem!
I do indeed believe that we really need to take a look at the problems we have already created when we mess with the DNA of the creatures here on Earth. There is a reason why they are the way they are,and live where they live. If the environment changes, it has been shown that animals can evolve. this is the only way these creatures can change and still survive.
Let me know what you think. Maybe we as a community can come up with a solution that won't create another problem!