Experts say hatcheries hurt wild fish
Fish hatcheries, which mass produce about 200 million salmon and steelhead each year for release into the Columbia River Basin, are ignoring problems that could undermine the survival of wild fish, according to a sweeping report to Congress by independent experts. The report, one of the first-ever attempts to take stock of the entire Columbia Basin and performed at the request of Congress, was released as a draft this week by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, an agency representing the governors of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. While the council has no regulatory power, its recommendations help shape the massive federal effort to aid depleted salmon stocks. (16-Oct-03) Oregonian