
There will be no salmon served at the Yurok Tribe’s Klamath Salmon Festival, set for Saturday, August 20 on the Yurok Reservation, because of the record-low fish run. This is the first time in 54 years that this has occurred.
The event is meant to be an opportunity to share Yurok culture, celebrate the Klamath salmon and unite the whole community around a common cause. The festival is free and open to all. Salmon is a central part of the Yurok Tribe’s culture and religion, according to a press release from the Tribe.
The shortage of fish for this year’s festival is largely due to poor water management practices. In 2014 and 2015 almost all of the juvenile Klamath River chinook and coho salmon died from a deadly parasite known as Ceratonova shasta, formerly called Ceratomyxa shasta.
“There are not enough fish to feed our families, many of which will need food assistance, as a result of this manmade catastrophe,” Thomas O’Rourke said.
The complete press release about this festival is below:
For first time in 54 years, salmon will not be served at festival.
For the first time in the event’s 54-year history, the Yurok Tribe had to remove salmon from the menu at this year’s Klamath Salmon Festival because of the record low fish run.
“This was a very difficult decision. We hope that all festival attendees understand that this was the only responsible option,” said Thomas P. O’Rourke Sr., Chairman of the Yurok Tribe.
The Yurok Tribe puts on the annual festival to provide an opportunity for the whole community to unite in celebration of the Klamath River. The famous chinook salmon lunch, a highlight of the long-standing event, has always been a part of the festivities. Sharing this best-quality salmon, cooked the traditional way over an open fire, is a point of pride for Yurok people.
“Salmon and hospitality are both traditional Yurok values,” Chairman O’Rourke explained.
Despite the lack of a salmon lunch, the Yurok Tribe will continue to celebrate their culture at the festival.