F5A,

I meant escapement goals. However, as escapement goals are reduced, lower escapements usually follow. Smalma’s summer chinook example should help explain that.

FNP,

I think you need to acknowledge and understand the disconnect between fish management agencies and the actual managers of fish habitat. Fish agencies do try to influence habitat management in a positive way, and do realize some success. However, the overwhelmingly vast majority of habitat management decisions are made by agencies that permit and promote development of the natural environment in ways that degrade fish habitat.

Not all of us in the fish business cling to MSY. As Smalma illustrated, the Snohomish coho are being managed outside the MSY range, and the results appear quite positive. He has also illustrated in other threads that Puget Sound wild steelhead are managed above the MSY range as well. The results are not so good, but that’s because of other variables, that seem to be outside management control, that limit smolt to adult survival. I think the present barriers to moving well beyond MSY are some of the institutional advocates and the treaty and non-treaty commercial sectors, whose short term interests benefit most from MSY.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.