Dan,

Ocean survival rates vary from year to year and also in cycles, as has been described here in threads about Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Ocean survival varies in response to feeding conditions and predator abundance in the migration zones of each species. We've had good chinook and coho returns the last 3 years on the Columbia due to an increase in ocean survival. Survival rates were much lower in the 90s, especially for chinook. It's a natural phenomenon as far as we know, and we so far can't do anything about it.

Buck,

We've had improved survival rates for chinook and coho the last few years, but not for Puget Sound steelhead. I don't know why there hasn't been much of a coho or steelhead program on this river. Just not a priority I guess.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.