Fraser River Sockeye Salmon - game, set, match

Heh -- David Suzuki is a geneticist who is doing very well by playing along with the Environmental game. August 2009 - from Vancouver, BC Straight

David Suzuki: Uncovering the mystery of B.C.�s disappearing sockeye
The Fraser River�s sockeye salmon are in trouble. And when the salmon are in trouble, we�re all in trouble.

The number of sockeye returning from the ocean to the Fraser River this year is one of the lowest in the past 50 and follows two years of dangerously low returns. In fact, we have witnessed decades of decline for diverse sockeye populations from the Fraser Watershed, some of which are now on the brink of extinction.

Ooooo -- I love the scare quote: "we�re all in trouble" Then, from the April 2010 Fraser Riverkeeper:

Fraser Riverkeeper Granted Standing to Participate in Judicial Inquiry into Decline of Sockeye Salmon
Fraser Riverkeeper has been granted formal standing to participate in the federal judicial inquiry into the decline of sockeye salmon in the Fraser River.

The Cohen Commission granted standing to 20 groups and individuals on April 16th, inviting them to provide evidence to the commission, giving the organizations the ability to propose witnesses, cross-examine witnesses, and make oral submissions to the commission.

One of the 20 groups is -- wait for it -- the David Suzuki Foundation And this will cost Taxpayers how much? (gotta host those conferences at someplace nice after all) From the June 2010 Fish Info & Services Co. Ltd:

BC sockeye decline investigation launched
A CAD 14 million (USD 13.6 million) official investigation into the precipitous decline of sockeye salmon stocks in British Columbia's (BC) Fraser River begun on Tuesday in Vancouver.

The Cohen Commission of Inquiry starts off the first three days of what may be a prolonged technical exploration into the disappearance of nearly 10 million sockeye salmon from last year�s Fraser River run.

And of course, does Nature give a flying fsck? Nope. From the August 2010 Vancouver Sun:

B.C. sockeye salmon returns best in nearly a century
B.C. is reaping the biggest sockeye salmon return in nearly a century, just a year after one of the smallest returns on record.

Fishery officials estimated Tuesday that more than 25 million sockeye salmon will return to the Fraser River this year, the largest number since 1913. Last year�s return was 1.7 million � the lowest in more than 50 years.

And the estimate could yet go higher as Tuesday�s test catch was the largest all year, said Barry Rosenberger, area director for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The department has approved another set of openings for commercial fishing and expanded the fishery based on the record returns.

Hat tip to The Daily Bayonet for the links.