The warmer Pacific Ocean temperatures that are causing a growth in toxic algae blooms, also have effects on the Kenai Peninsula’s coho salmon runs.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sportfishing Biologist Robert Begich said the temperatures affect Kenai silver salmon.
Begich: “Well locally the word that we hear from the people who do the research is that warm Cook Inlet waters could cause a delay in run timing.”
The Pacific Ocean’s warm temperatures may have a positive effect on silver production.
Begich: “Overall we talk about, in a broad sense, colder water in the North Pacific tends to lead to lower production.”
Begich said Alaska’s coho runs are typically the opposite of the Pacific Coast runs, seeing higher numbers when the lower states experience low numbers.