1) why do people think that the state should not operate salmon hatcheries within the esa regulations ?

2) if people veiw washington trout as anti-hatchery, how do you veiw the whole esa system ? do you veiw it as anti-hatchery also ?

3) are the rules that were set by the esa system for hatcheries a joke and should be ignored ?

4) did you know that if hatcheries were operated within the guidlines of the law that not even "big bad" washington trout could close them ??

5) why is everyone afraid of having salmon hatcheries that are operated within the law ?

Boater,

I think it's a minority of people who believe hatcheries shouldn't be operated, even within the constraints imposed by the ESA. What incentive is there for the majority to oppose a well regulated hatchery system?

I think, but do not know, that WT is pro wild fish and not intrinsically anti-hatchery. The ESA is neither pro nor anti-hatchery. The ESA is pro recovery of listed species. As long as hatcheries don't prevent recovery, ESA doesn't care.

My observation is that ESA section 10 permits for hatcheries are very generous in permitting most of the status quo, that is, permitting many of the adverse effects. That might be why WT has sued over the hatchery operations issue.

Yes, I understand that WT cannot force the closure of hatcheries that do not adversely affect listed species unless arguments are poorly articulated before the judge. So I'm not afraid of ongoing hatchery operations while ESA recovery efforts are underway.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

What is lost in this discussion I think is that when we criticize WT for their apparent desire to close hatcheries (most if not all) we are seen as opposing hatchery reform. Not so.
I agree with AuntyM on the commercial end of things and also that WT will not support hatchery operations under any conditions. Some of their supporters say they are fine with hatcheries as long as they comply with WT's long list of reforms but I can't remember Ramon ever stating that WT is firmly behind the concept of hatcheries.