Ep 11. Salmon Cannon

Salmon Cannon is the eleventh episode of the first season of the TV show Innovation Nation. The episode focuses on a unique and innovative solution to help salmon swim upstream to spawn. The show explores the challenging journey that salmon undertake to spawn and how their yearly migration pattern is crucial for the ecological balance of riverine ecosystems.

In this episode, the show highlights the efforts made by a team of researchers and engineers who have designed a unique solution for salmon to overcome one of the biggest obstacles during their migration journey - dams. Dams, constructed for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation, hinder the free movement of salmon by blocking their passage upstream to their breeding grounds. This obstacle can lead to a significant decline in salmon populations as fewer salmon can successfully reproduce.

The episode begins by showcasing the gravity of the problem - the numbers of salmon annually, making their way upriver to spawn are significantly lower than they used to be, and the impact on other ecosystems is staggering. The show then introduces the Salmon Cannon - a novel system invented to shoot live salmon over dams and other obstructions that they encounter on their journey.

The Salmon Cannon is a pneumatic tube system that propels salmon upstream at high speeds, bypassing any obstacles in the way. In the show, the audience can see the salmon hurtling through the transparent tubes, above the water levels, and traveling distances that are otherwise insurmountable. The design of the Salmon Cannon has been well researched and tested, and the show demonstrates its effectiveness with footage of live salmon taking shape through the tube system and being successfully released upstream.

The episode then explores how the Salmon Cannon works, the technology behind it, and the team responsible for its invention. The show’s host talks to the team and visits them at their research and development labs where they explain the challenges they faced in creating the Salmon Cannon and how they overcame them. The scientists and engineers had to ensure the system's design was safe and non-invasive for the salmon. They also had to ensure that the system mimicked the natural habitat of the salmon, with proper water flow, temperature levels, and inertial resistance.

Other contributors to the episode, including scientists, wildlife conservationists, and drone designers, highlight some ecological issues that come up during salmon migration. There are concerns related to rising temperatures in rivers, pollution, invasive species preying on the eggs and young salmon, overfishing, and damage to river habitats.

Towards the end of the episode, the show brings these issues together again, underscoring the importance of the work performed by the Salmon Cannon team, the ecological significance of salmon migration, and the role of technological innovation in environmental conservation.

In conclusion, Salmon Cannon, episode 11 of Innovation Nation season one, is captivating and informative. The show provides viewers with in-depth explanations about the challenges salmon face during their migration and how the Salmon Cannon is a sustainable solution for the obstacles they face. The show hopes to inspire audiences to consider the ecological impact of their actions and to pursue technological solutions that can help preserve nature.