The Return of the Coho: A Tribe's Century-Long Struggle to Fish Again

Historical Struggle for Fishing Rights

After more than a century, a Native American tribe in northern Washington can finally fish for coho salmon in the same rivers as their ancestors, as reported by the Seattle Times. This significant milestone is the result of the removal of two ecosystem-disrupting dams, marking the end of a long-fought battle for environmental justice by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

The Dam's Impact on the Elwha River

Since 1911, two dams have obstructed nearly 90 miles of river and tributary habitat on the Elwha River in Olympic National Park. These dams blocked over 90% of the river's natural flow, leading to a severe depletion of salmon populations. This obstruction prevented the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe from fishing their ancestral waters, a practice central to their culture and livelihood.

Advocacy and Dam Removal

The removal of the dams began in August 2014, following years of persistent advocacy by the tribe. The primary goal was to restore the river's ecosystem and bring back the salmon to the Elwha River. However, it took almost a decade of effort for the salmon populations to recover to a healthy state, allowing the tribe to fish once again.

The First Fishery in Over a Century

In October 2023, the tribe held its first fishery in over a century. "It's been a long time coming," said Russell Hepfer, vice chairman of the tribe, addressing a crowd of more than 100 community members. "The laughs, the joy we all feel in our hearts, is just tremendous. It's historic."

Reintroduction and Population Recovery

Over the past several years, the tribe collaborated with a hatchery to reintroduce salmon to the river. Remarkably, by 2022, more than 6,800 coho salmon had returned to the Elwha River. Of these, about 36% spawned naturally, marking a significant step towards a self-sustaining salmon population. This recovery is a promising indicator of the overall health of the river's ecosystem post-dam removal, as salmon require a complex and healthy environment to thrive.

Continued Challenges and Future Efforts

Despite this progress, much work remains before the salmon population reaches its historical robustness. A broad fishing moratorium on the river remains in place, restricting public fishing for salmon. However, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe can fish the waters for tribal use under an agreement with Olympic National Park and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

For tribe member Vanessa Castle, the inaugural fishery was deeply spiritual and culturally significant. "This filled my spirit to be back on the water again, to be able to exercise my treaty rights just as my ancestors did and fought for," Castle told the Times. "It means everything to have that food security — to know that I can catch a fish to feed my family."

The return of coho salmon to the Elwha River signifies not only the restoration of a critical natural resource but also the revitalization of a cultural tradition deeply embedded in the heritage of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. This victory underscores the power of persistent advocacy and the importance of preserving and restoring natural ecosystems for future generations.