Originally Posted By: Smalma
One of the surprises from the steelhead information collected in the 1980s was that Puget Sound hatchery steelhead consistently returned at less than 1/2 of the rates seen on the coast (same stocks). At the same time Puget Sound coho were returning at least 3 times the rate seen on coast coho.

Different fish preform differently in different habitats.

Curt


The 80's was at the beginning of the increase in predator populations. i.e. cormorants and seals. Especially in PS. Over the years to today those population increases are in direct proportion to the decline in salmonid returns. The one factor that favors fish and fluctuates return success is turbid water conditions during inward or outward migration. Those predators have to see to hunt. The fish don't to migrate.


The ability is here now to at least tackle the cormorant issue. It's a fairly new ruling out since last Feb.

https://www.federalregister.gov/document...sted-cormorants

Since this ruling. Michigan has already begun to implement cormorant removal for the protection of their fishery stocks and benefit of the sportsman.

https://mucc.org/lethal-cormorant-contro...ement-strategy/

If the State won't, maybe the Tribes will make it happen!


Edited by RUNnGUN (01/08/22 08:47 AM)
_________________________
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller.
Don't let the old man in!