"Fish Blood in Their Veins — But Few Salmon in Their River"

"This fall, the number of chinook salmon making their way from the ocean up the Klamath River in the far northwest corner of California is the lowest on record. That’s devastating news for the Yurok tribe, which has lived along and fished the Klamath for centuries. Salmon is integral to their entire culture and way of life, essential to Yurok ceremonies, for food, and for income.

Cousins Erika Chavez and Jerome Nick Jr. both work for the Yurok Tribal Fisheries Department, and they’re patrolling the Klamath where the river flows into the Pacific Ocean.

Nick perches in the front of the boat, with Chavez at the helm as we head to the mouth of the river."

Lisa Morehouse reports for KQED October 16, 2017.