Actually, we are relying on the study in California and several other studies, including one conducted by WDFW staff that showed hatchery coho can and will eat wild chinook, as well as WDFW documents that acknowledge that predation from hatchery juveniles on wild chinook "undoubtedly occurs" in Puget Sound rivers. I think I've said that before.

Given that WDFW and NMFS acknowledge the problem, but can't determine exactly how bad it is (even though they "figure" it's probably fine, despite evidence that suggests it's probably not fine), the better question might be why WDFW doesn't do the work necessary to determine just what level of harm is occuring from their hatchery operations, and what steps they might be able to take to minimize it so they can come into compliance with the ESA. Then you wouldn't have WT to worry about on this particular issue.

Ramon Vanden Brulle
Washington Trout