For sociologist Rik Scarce, salmon represent an opportunity to probe the relationship of science, society, and nature. Identifying a countertrend rooted in environmental activism, Scarce also argues that an ecocentric perspective is gaining ground even as pressures mount simultaneously to save endangered salmon populations and to bring every last salmon to market. Thus, while external forces control much of the biologists' work, a movement is underway to free biology from political and economic pressures. In rich, ethnographic detail, Scarce develops this portrait of a science struggling with nature and itself. Fishy Business provides new ways for regarding human interactions with other species, from appealing species like wolves, whales, and redwood trees, to less popular ones such as snail darters and kangaroo rats.
Society struggles to decide which parts of nature matter and why.
I suppose earthworms might have been a better choice, since their existence is void of the anxiety we feel about the future of salmon. But there were few earthworm biologists around. As my research proceeded, however, I found that there is much more to the salmon-human story than mere pathos. Salmon embody a unique nexus of social value and scientific curiosity. Their cultural importance extends to many societies, both historically and contemporaneously.