The novel case, in which the fish are named as plaintiffs, was initiated by the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe of Washington, which alleges that dams have decimated the salmon population in Washington’s rivers.

As a result, the tribe says it no longer has enough salmon for its ceremonies or to feed its population, The Guardian reports.

Documents filed in the Sauk-Suiattle Tribal Court seek a declaration that the salmon “is protected and possesses inherent rights to exist, flourish, regenerate, and evolve”.

Jack Fiander, a member of the tribe and its lawyer in the case, said: “These tribal beliefs shouldn’t be ridiculed. They’re based on ancestral knowledge that shouldn’t be discounted.”