The United States Forest Service this month released a new fact sheet regarding wild salmon populations in the Tongass National Forest, available online and at the agency’s various offices.
“It’s to demonstrate to the public just how important salmon are,” explained Martin Hutten, a supervisory biologist with the Wrangell Ranger District.
The facts speak pretty clearly for themselves. The waters of the Tongass National Forest produce more wild salmon than all other national forests combined.
Supporting these populations, TNF biologists have recorded 15,764 miles of anadromous rivers and streams, and 207,000 acres of lakes and ponds. Salmon also contribute to their ecosystem, feeding more than 50 species of local fauna and producing nitrogen that has been found in trees more than 500 yards away from streams.
Tongass-spawned salmon are important to the region’s economy as well, accounting for 79 percent of those harvested commercially each year in Southeast, or 49 million on average. These salmon make up on average 28 percent of Alaska’s annual catch, and 25 percent of the harvest for the entire West Coast.
According to Southeast Conference economic data, commercial fishing and the seafood industry for 2013 made up 11 percent of all reported job earnings in the region, bringing in over $244 million. That year saw the largest salmon catch on record, with 112 million. Salmon harvested in Southeast were worth around $250 million.
Salmon are important for subsistence users as well, with an average of 66,146 finding their way each year to families’ dinner tables. A Southeast Alaskan eats around 75 pounds of salmon per year, a stark contrast from other Americans’ average consumption of 15 pounds of seafood per person.
In light of future and ongoing environmental concerns, the USFS maintains the continued good health of this bountiful habitat is critical to the region. While most Tongass watersheds are in near-natural conditions, some important fish-producing watersheds have seen floodplain areas degraded. A 2011 survey identified 70 of the forest’s 900 watersheds needing work to restore aquatic habitat.
“The Forest Service is hoping to do more in telling the salmon story,” Hutten explained.
Part of this includes making salmon a more tangible component of visitors’ experiences. For example, there’s more to Anan Creek Wildlife Observatory than its famed bear population. Just beneath those waters’ surface, all five species of salmon can be found –it’s what attracts the bears there to begin with. This summer the Forest Service will be bringing them to the forefront in an unobtrusive fashion.
“We are in the process of installing an underwater camera at Anan,” Hutten said.
A high-definition camera will provide aquatic footage to visitors in Anan’s observation area, with the low-wattage equipment to be run on solar power. Hutten explained a similar setup near Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier has proven popular. Due to the site’s remoteness, the Anan cam will not be streamable online, at least not yet.
Visiting Anan between July 5 and August 25 will be made simpler for residents and visitors alike, with the Forest Service making up to four permits available for pickup in person at the Wrangell District Office.
Those interested in applying need to submit a form at the office, with permits awarded each week using a lottery system. Any remaining permits will then be offered over the counter on a first-come, first-serve basis. Further information is available at the TNF website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/R10/Tongass/AnanObsrv.
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