Fish Tanker Truck Accident with Spring Chinook Smolts in Oregon

SOURCE npr.org
A fish tanker truck carrying 102,000 spring Chinook smolts overturned near a creek in Oregon, resulting in the death of 25,529 smolts. The surviving fish ended up in the wrong waterway, impacting the planned release into the Imnaha River.

Key Points

  • 25,529 smolts died from the accident
  • The surviving fish are now in Lookingglass Creek instead of the Imnaha River
  • Impacts on the salmon population in the Imnaha River are expected due to the incident

Pros

  • Driver of the truck only sustained minor injuries
  • 77,000 out of 102,000 smolts made it into the nearby creek

Cons

  • 25,529 smolts died in the accident
  • Surviving smolts are now in the wrong waterway