The World's Last Great Sockeye Salmon Fishery

mchambers

Former CCA member
My family went to the Katmai National Park in Alaska 4 years ago, and saw the salmon runs and the bears that feed on them. (That's where we took the picture I use as my avatar -- we weren't using zoom lenses.) It was one of the most amazing days of my life.

It's hard to imagine that we would take the risk of poisoning that amazing place for a copper mine.
 

mchambers

Former CCA member
Bears Fishing for Salmon

As you can see, the water turns reddish-orange, because there are so many salmon.

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The bears like to stand by the rapids and pick off the fish as they come through. Interestingly, they only grab female fish, and eat only the brains and roe.

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A bear with an ungainly fishing technique

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A bear with a fish, trying to keep her catch away from another bear

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dogofwar

CCA Members
Good stuff, Matt!

Check out the video to the Frontline story I posted. I think its a pretty balanced piece and speaks to the challenges of balancing conservation and the needs of people.

Matt
 
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