Which factor contributed to the West Coast fishery collapse?

Which factor contributed to the West Coast fishery collapse?

• A. Overfishing
• B. Lack of salmon treaty
• C. Changes in natural conditions
• D. Improved fishing technology

Answer: (A)

Overfishing is the main factor because removing far more fish than the population can replace each year erodes the breeding stock until it can no longer sustain the fishery. On the West Coast, intense harvesting during key migration and spawning periods, often with limited controls, meant stocks declined faster than they could recover, leading to a collapse. Climate or natural changes can influence fish runs, but they don’t automatically cause collapse unless fishing pressure is already high. While better fishing technology can speed up catches, it amplifies the impact of overfishing when not matched with strong management and conservation limits. A lack of a salmon treaty speaks to governance, but the ecological trigger of the collapse is the excessive harvest.

Overfishing is the main factor because removing far more fish than the population can replace each year erodes the breeding stock until it can no longer sustain the fishery. On the West Coast, intense harvesting during key migration and spawning periods, often with limited controls, meant stocks declined faster than they could recover, leading to a collapse. Climate or natural changes can influence fish runs, but they don’t automatically cause collapse unless fishing pressure is already high. While better fishing technology can speed up catches, it amplifies the impact of overfishing when not matched with strong management and conservation limits. A lack of a salmon treaty speaks to governance, but the ecological trigger of the collapse is the excessive harvest.