The loss at Samish Hatchery, although a setback, shouldn't require special restrictions, by itself, to local fisheries. Recent year returns came from a release goal of about 5.2M FCH smolts. Beginning w 2022 brood, the goal increased to 6.0M (presumably the ORCA prey increment?). In any case relative to recent year returns the difference is about 200K less smolts (6.0M minus 1.0M loss compared to 5.2M recent return release). Well within annual variation in survival/returns.

Addon to Salmo. There are 100's of hatcheries, rearing ponds, satelite facilities etc in the state. The Future Brood Doc outlining production at these sites is almost 1200 pages long. Many of the hatchery facilities are old, need upgrading, with old technologies. To think that there won't be an occasional hiccup somewhere due to mechanical failure, water supply issues is delusional.



https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/02468