Run timing of the hatchery coho returning to rivers flowing into Grays Harbor is pretty well known. Years and years of coded wire tag data tells us this. The hatchery coho timing is mostly separated from the wild coho timing (i.e., they are earlier). The intensive net fisheries and sport fisheries are timed to land right on the hatchery timing. Of course the peak entry pattern is not 100% guranteed... it often shifts one or two or three weeks depending on the year. But in most years the intensive fisheries are timed very well to coincide with hatchery coho entry patterns and when it works well, tens of thousands of hatchery coho are harvested.

Despite this, the surplus at most the hatchery coho facilities in the basin is quite large. These facilities have not had any problems meeting their needs for egg takes in many, many years. The hatchery coho suplus could be reduced if timing was more protracted than it currently is. But then the overlap with wild timing would be greater and therefore the impacts to local naturally produced coho would be increased which is contrary to current management policy.

So, you thought fisheries management was easy?