Some good news re offshore productivity in 2008, though the southern residents may not see the benefits for a couple years…
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Oregon ocean conditions best for fish in 50 years
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| After several years of poor ocean conditions that left birds starving and fish dwindling, this year brought a healthy influx of cold, nutrient-rich water along the Oregon Coast that likely represent the best year for fish in decades, scientists say. |
| Surveys along the coast from Newport north to LaPush, Wash., found more juvenile chinook salmon than they’ve seen in the 11 years the surveys have been done, researchers said. |
| That suggests that the Northwest could see a salmon boom once those fish mature and migrate back to their home rivers in the next few years. |
| The key to ocean productivity off the Oregon Coast is upwelling of deep, cold water that is rich in nutrients. The water typically nurtures rich marine ecosystems, but last year and in the few years before the upwelling has happened erratically and hasn’t provided the nutrients essential to fish and other coastal life. |
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