Can a new genetic discovery save the king of king salmon before it’s too late?”

The Lost Salmon chronicles the life and impact Chinook salmon have on people and the environment. Faced with extinction in many river systems of the west, a new genetic discovery could aid in their recovery.

Tying together the fabric of Northwest culture and ecology, the most prized of chinook are the spring run or “springer.” These fish traveled the farthest, grew the largest, and have been the most sought-after meal for people and many other species.

Despite being so revered, many populations of spring Chinook have gone extinct, while others are at a tipping point. Once teaming in the millions along the west coast and a sacrament for the oldest civilizations in the Americas, the genetically distinct wild springers may only have a few decades left unless immediate measures are taken to address failing fisheries management, habitat degradation, dams, fish hatcheries, over-harvest, and climate impacts.

Filmmaker Shane Anderson set out on a two-year journey to explore the connection of spring chinook to people and place and following the new genetic discovery that could lead to protections under the Endangered Species Act.