After decades of research, it’s a statement that may shock you: “We really don’t know what’s going on out there.” FOX13
It’s not that scientists don’t have extensive data on salmon, their life cycle, or their plight – it’s that finding definitive data of what’s taking place in the middle of the ocean is akin to finding a needle in a haystack, but that’s what scientists are attempting to do.
To be clear, we know a lot about salmon – but as Dr. Weitkamp explained, despite a lot of attention we still have knowledge gaps that new research could fill. That includes why models that once accurately predicted salmon returns are becoming less and less accurate. While research on the high seas stretches back to the early 1900s, there are challenges that prevent scientists from getting a full picture. Aside from the conditions, crews typically have two choices: heavily research a small area, or cover a lot of area but perform less research.