La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

If life is complex – and it is – consider how much more complex ecosystems are.

About those orcas not getting enough salmon, their primary food source, the editorial in last week’s paper. Scientific research finds fellow marine mammals, seals and sea lions, are feeding on salmon disproportionately. Yes, humans are taking salmon, but they are not the only mammals and maybe not the primary cause of salmon decline.

So, thanks to a Facebook post responding to my editorial and a link to the Seattle Times article about ongoing research and a link to a scientific paper, I have more facts. It is not only humans that are putting pressure on salmon populations. Those cute harbor seals: The study’s computer model estimates that Salish Sea harbor seals “accounted for 86.4 percent of the total coast-wide smolt consumption in 2015.”

I am all for getting more facts and building on them and getting to a better solution. My point is not to defend my position. My point is to get to an improved future.

Engaging is what a newspaper, and democracy, is about. This paper offers its analysis, but a conversation starts when people respond. I offered opening words on our fragile ecosystem. Our discussion, and actions, together, will build the path to sustainability.

If sustainable commercial salmon fisheries are defined and limited by the health of orca populations, then I support that fishing. Our protection of the environment – a very good thing – has increased marine mammal populations significantly. This good thing has had unintended and unforeseen consequences. Our future is even more complicated and uncertain. That makes our present day, and the actions we need to choose and then take, all the more complex.