After reading through another thread "Thinking of the past" curiosity is getting the best of me. What is the total revenue for surplused salmonids? What are these fish being used for?

The upper reaches of tribs and surrounding ecosystems would benefit beyond the generated funds that the department can be making???

@Tug I do like the idea of passing single gender if natural production is a major concern. However the NGOs would claim that this causes mental distress and is inhumane.

Thank you, R.D. for recognizing that. Surplus males on the Descutes absolutely should be put upstream for ecosystem health and some fishing opportunity. Some of the returners are still in good shape.
Many years ago, through a now forgotten secret investigation, it was discovered that one of the bigshots in hatcheries was getting a kcik back from fixing sales to a particular buyer. Hatchery surpluses are trememdous, and no one knows for sure where they go after they are taken from the hatchery. Makes me wonder if there isn't something "fishy" still going on.

Back when I was involved the money generated from carcass and eggs sales went to the local enhancement groups, I believe. Rivrguy would know.

Again, back when I was involved, the buyer was required to take every adult that was killed or died at the hatchery. So, while they may have made good money on early season bright fish they also had to take the late season scabby ones.

For a while there was a statewide nutrient enhancement program that returned a lot of those fish to the ecosystem. Then the decision was made to get the Olympia person out of it and let the Regions handle it. If memory serves, a lot less fish went out then.

But, and again Rivrugy is familiar with the numbers, if every salmon that reigned to every hatchery in the state was put into one large River that would not meet the 2 kg per metre target. That's how deep the hole is.

"Hatchery surpluses are trememdous". How are the funds distributed? Back to WDFW? General fund? Buddy buddy system? Pockets?

Not trying to stir up any conspiracy, I just want to know more. This should be public information I would assume but I'm sure others are better suited to dig up the correct info.

Like CM said some time back the RFEG's got things changed so the dollars generated go for volunteers work on enhancement. WDFW has not directly benefitted for sometime if ever.

Base funding for the RFEG program comes from a grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, a portion of state commercial and recreational fishing license fees, and excess egg and carcass sales administered by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Support through volunteerism, individual donations, and in-kind contributions from community members and businesses are essential to the success of each RFEG. RFEGs also obtain grants for projects from other government and private entities.