Originally Posted By: darth baiter
I suspect that many hatchery programs if they were scrutinized intensely would show dismal results and bring up the question of why are we continuing to do this. Even if the numbers show they are complete duds there will be demand and support for continuing them.

BTW, all the WA lower CR hatcheries were getting gang buster survivals and returns in the late 1970's and 80's.


Darth,

I fear that if an objective economic audit were performed on the WDFW hatchery system with today's marine survival rates, the recommendation would be to shut down all salmon and steelhead hatchery production and just operate trout hatcheries that are demonstrated to return trout to the creel at a positive ROI. As a biologist I would want to continue hatchery programs for unique stocks in order to keep "something in the bank" in case things turn around in the SAR scene.