1.3.2008 9:26 AM

Japan's Salmon Population Feeling The Heat of Global Warming

Rising Sea Temperatures May Cause Salmon to Disappear by End of Century

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Photo: Sandra vom Stein / Istock

By Karen Berner

According to an article in The Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo), global warming may be adversely affecting the salmon population in Japan's rivers. If sea temperatures continue to rise, the fear is that the fish will be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and virtually disappear from the native rivers where they normally go to spawn.

Based on a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that was released just this past November, projections are that the Earth's average temperature could rise by as much as 43.52 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century, which in turn would create unsuitable river water temperatures for young salmon to mature. In the meantime, in some areas of Japan, there's been a noticeable decline in numbers of salmon making their way back rivers after being out to sea, where they spend about 2 to 7 years of their life.

The salmon in peril are North Pacific dog salmon also known as Chum or "keta" salmon. The fish is used in a variety of value-add items and can also be found in markets prepped as steaks or fillets. Their roe is an integral part of Japan's market, used for retail sales and in sushi restaurants.

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