Mike L.,

The WSC absolutely does support providing hatchery fish for harvest and fishing opportunity. Without hatchery fish the great majority of our rivers would have no fishing, and there wouldn't be a good justification to fish some of the other rivers that have wild runs without the hatchery fish being there.

As we speak there are WSC biologists embarking on a project to review hatchery practices, everything from broodstocking, outplanting, and other aspects of hatchery production. The idea is to make biologically sound recommendations to private and public agencies that are performing these functions.

I wish I knew where the idea came up that the WSC is intending to do away with hatcheries. It's been in several editorials and articles in newspapers and magazines. As I said above, if anyone has a question about what the WSC stands for, please...

READ THE MISSION STATEMENT!!!

I think that's the first time I've used all caps in two years of being on this board!

Here's the relevant part of the mission statement:

...

Hatchery programs must be closely examined and be carried out in such a manner that the negative impacts on wild fish are removed or minimized.

The WSC stands for the mass marking of all hatchery steelhead, and for science, not politics, to be the basis for the re-tooling of hatchery practices.

...

Please visit the WSC web site for more information...here's the link to the mission statement:

http://www.wildsteelheadcoalition.com/mission.htm

Fish on...

Todd
http://www.wildsteelheadcoalition.com