The Bristol Bay watershed provides habitat for some of the most diverse wildlife on the planet. This includes 29 fish species, more than 190 bird species, and more than 40 terrestrial mammal species (“Benefits of Bristol …show more content…
The salmon in the environment are the most important, as they “provide essential nutrients that support the ecosystem” (“Frequently Asked Questions About Bristol Bay”). Salmon said to be so abundant, they are seen for miles. The bristol bay region supports the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world, “approximately 46% of the average global abundance of wild sockeye salmon” (“Benefits of Bristol Bay Overview”). That is where the issue of pebble mine comes in. We have seen what mines have done in the past and this is no different, a massive dark cloud over an ecosystem. According to an assessment conducted by the EPA, “massive mine waste impoundments will cover …show more content…
Many jobs rely directly on the salmon population in the Bristol Bay region being in high numbers. Thousands in the region work on commercial fishing boats, fish cleaning facilities, or markets selling salmon as primary income. Out of all things in the region, the Bristol Bay commercial salmon fishery generates the largest component of economic activity and was valued at “approximately $300 million in 2009 (first wholesale value)” and “provided employment for over 11,500 full and part-time workers at the peak of the season” (“Benefits of Bristol Bay Overview”). Alaskans cleaning and processing fish also rely heavily on fish numbers, and annual total earnings from Bristol Bay salmon processing averages at $225 million” (“Economics of wild salmon watersheds: Bristol Bay, Alaska”). Along with people relying on the salmon to make a living, others require it as part of their culture. According to “Economics of Wild Salmon Watersheds: Bristol Bay, Alaska”, “The Alaska Native cultures present in the Nushagak River and Kvichak River watersheds - the Yup'ik and Dena'ina - are two of the last intact, sustainable salmon-based cultures in the world.” These cultures way of life revolve around the salmon species, they provide food for the tribe, a social structure, and language. For certain rituals, the sockeye salmon is even worshiped. But, these cultures and jobs will be