What’s my excuse?

Our fisheries are facing unprecedented climate-related challenges from droughts, heat waves, floods, wildfires, storms, and rising seas. My reaction:

  • It’s not my fault; it’s [fill in my least favorite country, politician, TV star].

  • I’m just one person; I’m not going to make a difference.

  • I’m doing my part, it’s those other #*!! people.

  • I want to do more but don’t know how or where.

If I opt to stick with excuses #1-3, I’m in good company, but that doesn’t bode well for the future of fish and fishing. So let’s go with #4.

How

The HOW depends on where you live, what you care about, and what you like to do. It begins with finding a group of people who share the same interests and asking how you can help.

The impacts of climate change facing our fisheries involve various environmental factors and manifest in specific ways within geographic regions, watersheds, and constituencies. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of links to regional resources and organizations working on behalf of fisheries and habitat restoration.

We will be continually adding and updating the following information on how to engage locally, regional and nationally.

MARINE FISHERIES

Taking the ocean into account is critical for successfully addressing climate change

The ocean has protected us from the worst effects of climate change. From the beginning of industrialization until today, the ocean has absorbed more than 90 percent of the heat from human-caused global warming and about one-third of our carbon emissions. But the ocean is much more than a victim of climate change — it is also a critical part of the solution.

ANADROMOUS FISHERIES

Climate change is becoming an increasingly significant threat to the future of wild salmon and steelhead.

For nearly a century, the major drivers of wild salmon and steelhead decline could be categorized as the Four H’s: Habitat, Harvest, Hydropower, and Hatcheries. Unfortunately, we must now add a “Fifth H” to the mix: Heat. Up and down the West Coast, climate change is posing a new and dangerous threat to these iconic species.

Freshwater Fisheries

coldwater Species need large, complex, cold, and healthy habitats to thrive…and then there are favorite warmwater species

Climate change poses a severe threat to freshwater ecosystems. Record high summer temperatures in rivers, lakes, and streams have forced temporary closures of popular fishing locations, and warming trends mean spring floods will increase in frequency.

What

The WHAT is limited only by imagination and energy. It’s volunteering, contributing funds, and putting yourself out there. It’s helping with your favorite fish species, a stretch of river, or extending your professional talents into a vocational pursuit.

WHERE

Climate change is global. Stay tuned for links to the ways you can engage.