By Robert F. Service Jan. 10, 2018 , 2:25 PM. The Pacific Northwest has always been known for its large salmon populations. After centuries of overfishing and development, salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest were on the brink of collapse by the late 20th century, presenting a grim challenge for Native American tribes that have long relied on the fish. Fittingly for a chef who incorporates Pacific Rim details into his Northwest food, he came to appreciate salmon skin from his first cooking job, at a Japanese restaurant. is part of a response plan that has helped spur a remarkable recovery. The Pacific Northwest region provides an exceptionally rich and nurturing environment for salmon. Something Fishy: The Trouble with Atlantic Salmon in the Pacific Northwest . An overview of various salmon species, with a focus on Pacific salmon native to the beautiful Pacific Northwest Salmon in the Northwest contains documents, photographs and other original material describing the roots of the salmon crisis in the Pacific Northwest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Aja DeCoteau ’07 M.E.M. Types of salmon. Pacific Northwest salmon are in big genetic trouble. One hundred years ago the major threat to salmon was commercial fishing, and as early as the beginning of the 20th century people began to … However, since the late 19 th century, the number of fish in the region has declined drastically. Why are salmon in trouble? Currently, six of eight Pacific Northwest “salmonid” species subtypes are listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under the Federal Endangered Species Act. - Over-fishing.