Johnny Deep,

First, I don't have any current information. The state used to, and I don't know why they wouldn't still, sell surplus hatchery fish to various commercial buyers. When the fish return to the rack, they are state property, and they can only use so many of them for broodstock. In some years they get large surpluses. Some of those fish used to be sold for human consumption, but I believe that can only be done now if the fish are certified as not having been exposed to any FDA non-certified drugs.

In the case of the Cowlitz hatchery, Tacoma pays all the operating costs, so there may have been different arrangements there. Although burying adult salmon is silly. But there may have been a dispute as to who should receive the money if fish were sold. That's the only reason I can think of for not selling them. A lot of them end up in pet food.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.