I'll have to agree with grampa that hatcheries can and should play an important role in the protection and recovery of all NW salmon and steelhead including the ESA listed salmon.

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About the NOAA proposals:

On May 28, 2004, Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., (U.S. Navy, ret.), Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and D. Robert Lohn, Northwest Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, announced the release of a new hatchery policy, status reviews and proposed listing determinations for 27 groups of populations (called "evolutionary significant units" (ESUs)) of Pacific salmon and steelhead.

The listing determinations and status reviews are based upon a report produced in early 2003 by NOAA Fisheries’ Biological Review Team detailing the biological status of naturally spawning populations, as well as its assessment of the effects of hatchery programs on ESU viability, and conclusions from the Artificial Propagation Evaluation Workshop held in April 2004.

For more information see:
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1srd/Prop_Determins/index.html


The comment period on the proposed listings determinations has been extended. Comments may now be provided through October 20, 2004. In addition, 8 public meetings have been scheduled around the Pacific Northwest.

For the meeting announcements see:
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/AlseaResponse/20040528/meetings.html