These are the hatcheries that Washington Trout wants to prevent from releasing fish this spring:


Nooksack R.
Kendall Cr. Hatchery
to be released 300,000
date released June

Baker R.
Lk. Shannon Net Pens
25,000
May

Skagit R.
Marblemount
250,000
May

Skykomish R.
Wallace R. Hatch.
150,000
May

May Cr. Hatch.
Wallace R. Hatchery
54,000
April

Purdy Cr.
George Adams
500,000
April

Issaquah Cr.
Issaquah Hatch.
450,000
April

Big Soos Cr.
Soos Cr. Hatch.
600,000
April

Voights Cr.
Voights Cr. Hatch.
390,000
April

Voights Cr.
Voights Cr. Hatch.
390,000
17
May

Dungeness R.
Dungeness Hatch.
500,000
June

The full complaint is at:
http://www.washingtontrout.org/complaint3.shtml
http://www.washingtontrout.org/PImotion.shtml

This is a big problem.

I understand the claims made by WT, but feel that their proposed methods are too extreme.

Why cease all hatchery production when other steps could be taken to mitigate the problem that hatchery fish pose to wild fish as claimed by WT??


Why not change the timing of hatchery fish release or release hatchery fish at a smaller size so as to reduce the predation on Chinook smolts?

There has to be a better way...cant wait to see how this one ends.

I hope this ends with the demise of this organization. Do these people really think the present Puget Sound fishing pressure/catch could be sustained with only wild reproduction???

The Indians might have to come in and save us on this one.

No, they don't think that. They are an advocate for the fish, NOT fishermen. Basically, whatever will save the wild stocks, they're willing to do- even if that means no fishing.

I don't have any idea what, if any, past WT and WDFW have on this issue. If they've negotiated, or at least spoken, about the problems and WDFW wouldn't do anything about it, then a lawsuit may get some results.

I'm certain that there are changes in hatchery practices that can minimize the damage...perhaps this lawsuit is intended to start serious negotiations about what those changes will be?

I hope that's what it is.

Fish on...

Todd.

My take on The TU lawsuit is it is an effort to push reform of hatcheries, not specifically a case of hatchery smolts eating wild fry.

Bottom line is the overall resource-hatchery and wild salmon in Puget Sound is no longer working . Hatchery fish survive so poorly that fishery must be shut down, not just for associated wild fish, but just to maintain hatchery program. This is a waste of $$, as well as a detrement to wild fish. WDFW must step back, request negotiation, and allow substantial reform of its hatchery progam. This means far fewer fish are produced and released. The hatchery fish that remain must be carefully honed to provide for good fisheries and not be a detriment to wild fish.