BREAKING: Huge salmon discovery could rewrite history

A major discovery of salmon in a Canadian lake is rewriting the history of the species, according to scientists.

The find, made by researchers from McGill University, suggests that salmon were present in Canada much earlier than previously thought.

Up until now, it was believed that salmon first arrived in North America around 10,000 years ago – but the new discovery suggests they could have been there for up to 18,000 years.

"This changes everything we thought we knew about the history of salmon in North America," said lead scientist Dr. Daniel Ribeiro.

The discovery was made after scientists analyzed the DNA of fish found in two lakes near Montreal. The results showed that the fish were closely related to Atlantic salmon, which are found in Europe and North Africa.

This suggests that the Atlantic salmon crossbred with a native species of salmon that was already present in North America, creating a new hybrid species.

"It's an amazing discovery," said Ribeiro. "It shows that salmon have been coming back and forth between Europe and North America for thousands of years."

The new discovery could have major implications for the fishing industry and conservation efforts. It could also help researchers gain a better understanding of how salmon have adapted to different environments over time.

Oregon wild salmon runs may face collapse due to warming waters

Oregon's wild salmon runs are in danger of collapsing because of the warming waters due to climate change, scientists warn.

According to a study published in the journal Science Advances, the survival of salmon in the state's rivers and streams could be greatly reduced by 2050 if the trend continues. This means that there might not be enough adult fish returning to spawn, leading to the potential collapse of the salmon population.

To reach their conclusions, researchers used a computer model that predicts how various species of fish will fare as global temperatures rise over the next few decades. The findings show that many different types of fish will experience significant reductions in numbers, but that wild salmon are among those most at risk.

Salmon need cold water to thrive, and as temperatures increase, they move upstream towards cooler water sources. But even these areas may not be safe from the effects of climate change, as warmer weather can cause melting glaciers and snowpack, which leads to a decrease in river levels and less cool water flowing downstream.

This is already happening in Oregon, where many streams and rivers are warmer than they were 50 years ago. The study found that two thirds of all available spawning grounds for wild salmon will become unsuitable by 2050 if current trends continue.

"These changes could lead to declines in populations ranging from 15 percent up to 97 percent across Oregon's diverse landscape of salmon-bearing watersheds," said study author Brad Seggern.

Already faced with increasing competition from hatcheries and other threats such as poaching and habitat loss, this latest news is worrying for Oregon's wild salmon populations. It is hoped that with more awareness of this issue, steps can be taken to help protect these valuable fish before it's too late.

Millions of dead salmon found in Chile's largest river

Officials in Chile have declared a health emergency after finding millions of dead salmon in the country's largest river. Tens of thousands of people rely on the river for drinking water, and officials are warning that the health risks posed by the rotting fish are "grave."

The salmon began dying last week, and government officials say they have no idea why. One theory is that a toxic algal bloom is to blame, but officials have yet to confirm that.

The incident is yet another blow to Chile's lucrative salmon industry. The country is the world's second-largest producer of farmed salmon, and the death of so many fish is likely to result in significant financial losses.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has declared a state of emergency in the area surrounding the Rio Itata, and has pledged to do everything possible to find out what caused the mass die-off.

Pacific Northwest's iconic salmon run in serious peril

The Pacific Northwest's iconic salmon run is in serious peril, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The report, which was released last week, found that many salmon populations in the Northwest are at risk of extinction due to factors such as climate change and habitat loss.

"If we don't act now, we could see iconic Northwest salmon runs disappear in our lifetime," said Jane Lubchenco, NOAA administrator.

Lubchenco called for a "multifaceted and collaborative approach" to saving the fish, including partnerships between agencies, tribes, and private landowners.

Salmon are a keystone species in the Pacific Northwest ecosystem, playing a vital role in the diets of many wildlife species and supporting a $2 billion fishing industry.

In recent years, however, escalating pressures on the region's salmon populations have taken their toll. Dams, development, agriculture, and climate change have all contributed to the decline of salmon stocks.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Columbia River basin, which once supported some of the world's most abundant salmon populations. Today, many Columbia River salmon runs are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Earlier this year, NOAA unveiled a new strategy for restoring Columbia River Basin salmon populations. The strategy calls for a variety of measures including dam removal and hatchery reform.