Dam Removal Spurs the Return of Salmon—and a Local Tribe’s Hopes of Sustainable Fishing – State of the Planet

After years of anticipation, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (LEKT) on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula was finally able to open a small ceremonial and subsistence fishery for Coho salmon last October. The removal of two dams on the Elwha River has allowed salmon populations to recover and provided hope for other communities struggling to save their own fish from the impacts of climate change and human development. The restoration efforts have been crucial for the Indigenous peoples in the region who have relied on salmon for sustenance for generations. The success of the Coho salmon fishery on the Elwha River serves as an inspiring example for other dam removal projects in the Pacific Northwest, demonstrating the potential for restoring salmon populations and ecosystems. It also highlights the importance of collaborations between Indigenous communities and conservation agencies in achieving sustainable fisheries and protecting valuable species like salmon. The story of the Elwha River offers a powerful message about the benefits of land-use changes and habitat restoration in safeguarding ecosystems, fish populations, and the cultural traditions of local tribes.