Plunk,
Thanks for the info, no the WSC is not advocating elimination of hatchery fish from most NW rivers. In fact, we see hatchery fish as being very important for future harvest opportunities. But, as our mission statement clearly states: “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.” Further the WSC advocates “mass marking of all hatchery steelhead, and for science, not politics, to be the basis for the re-tooling of hatchery practices.”

The WSC Science and Education Committee is currently writing our position paper on hatchery reform.

If you have some suggestions for future presenters at our meetings we would welcome your ideas. Our “hidden agenda” is pretty simple- educating anglers to understand the issues facing wild steelhead and taking action to help them flourish.

Thanks for reading over the paper, you are right that our web forum was down for a time and we look forward to your comments.