Pacific Salmon

Marine Fisheries Review, Fall, 1988

"Pacific Salmon" by R.J. Childerhose and Marj Trim has been published by Douglas & McIntyre Ltd., 1615 Venables Street, Vancouver, B.C., in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Pacific) and the Canadian Government Publishing Centre, Supply and Services Canada. It is aimed more toward the general reader, though it is soundly based on and reflects the studies conducted by DFO and University of British Columbia scientists and managers. In addition, it is supported by more than 100 superb color photographs by the second author, along with about 90 detailed line drawings by Joey Morgan and species paintings by Harry Heine.

The book begins with a chapter on the history of the Pacific salmon and human uses of them, from Native Americans (the "Salmon People") to early explorers, settlers, and commercial fishermen. Included are details on early efforts at salmon culture, regulations, and management. Additional chapters examine thoroughly salmon biology, each species' environment, and the methods devised to enhance their status, including genetic research, spawning channels, hatcheries and transplants, lake enrichment, stream engineering, fishways, aquaculture, and more. Well designed and illustrated, but lacking an index and literature citations, the large 158-page volume has been reissued in paperback, and provides an interesting look at important sport and commercial salmonids of the west coast, with most emphasis on British Columbia stocks and studies.