I'd be surprised if the total economic value of salmon and steelhead in WA (recreational and commercial) is greater than the total sum of money spent on salmon and steelhead harvest management, hatcheries, habitat management - including habitat improvement and restoration. It's an industry for sure. I can't complain, as it's kept me employed for over 30 years, although I didn't expect I'd ever be dealing with ESA listed salmon and steelhead.

When I first started out, most tribal fisheries organizations spent a small fraction of the annual value of their harvests on management costs. I remember when I first saw that management costs exceeded the ex-vessel value of the catch. That was an eye-opener. It influenced my decision to work less in harvest management and hatcheries and focus on habitat management. If only my retirement investment strategies had been so keen.

Sg