The argument for habitat restoration and protection is obvious, cowfish. Even cloned fish can't flourish in degraded habitat because they would be, after all, only steelhead......not super-steelhead. Besides, it isn't only steelhead that most of us are interested in preserving......it's the whole ecosystem that supports steelhead, salmon, trout, etc. that we'd like our kids and grandkids to enjoy.

That being said, it might not be a bad idea to collect samples of wild fish throughout the state and preserve them. I sure wish somebody had tissue samples from the great Elwha kings. Perhaps they could be restored using cloning technology. It sure wouldn't hurt to have samples on hand.

Still, if the habitat, ocean conditions, and our own greedy behavior ever get bad enough that we HAVE TO clone steelhead to keep them going......I get the feeling that steelhead will be the least of our concerns.

But, speaking of cloning.........wouldn't it be funny if "cookie cutters" became a term used to describe 25 lb'ers? laugh
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She was standin' alone over by the juke box, like she'd something to sell.
I said "baby, what's the goin' price?" She told me to go to hell.

Bon Scott - Shot Down in Flames