Accidental release of Atlantic salmon may not be bad thing

The recent accidental release of Atlantic salmon from the pens at Cypress Island may not be as bad for the environment as you may read or hear. Invasive species are not all bad. The Manila clam was introduced into the waters of Puget Sound in the 1930s with oysters from Japan. They spread throughout the waters of Puget Sound and Hood Canal, and are now the most common clam you receive in an order of steamed clams. Japanese oysters, another invasive species, are now the most common wild oyster in the waters of Western Washington. No one wants to exterminate them because they are invasive.

In the 1980s, there were attempts to introduce the Atlantic salmon into the waters of British Columbia and Washington. This attempt to establish runs of Atlantic salmon in our rivers was not successful as the runs could not be maintained. Maybe the accidental release will be more successful and Atlantic salmon runs in our rivers will be attained and will replace the dwindling population of steelhead trout. I enjoy eating Atlantic salmon.

Jack E. Sceva

Stanwood