Well now the world has turned upside down, as here I am defending Aunty (who can certainly take care of herself). But I don't think Aunty meant to or did imply that the dams aren't a factor in salmon declines. What she said was that commerical fishing interests like to keep the subject on dams and other habitat issues because it keeps people from talking about the impacts they are responsible for (which is true), and she doesn't want to support that approach. I have to say I simpathize.

The dams are a major factor in Columbia River salmon and steelhead declines; no question they should go. I support SOS in their endevours in that regard. I do wish they were a little less sanguine about the other factors that have contributed to salmon declines and that are jeaopardizing their recovery.