Back when I was involved the money generated from carcass and eggs sales went to the local enhancement groups, I believe. Rivrguy would know.

Again, back when I was involved, the buyer was required to take every adult that was killed or died at the hatchery. So, while they may have made good money on early season bright fish they also had to take the late season scabby ones.

For a while there was a statewide nutrient enhancement program that returned a lot of those fish to the ecosystem. Then the decision was made to get the Olympia person out of it and let the Regions handle it. If memory serves, a lot less fish went out then.

But, and again Rivrugy is familiar with the numbers, if every salmon that reigned to every hatchery in the state was put into one large River that would not meet the 2 kg per metre target. That's how deep the hole is.