Prevailing opinion seems to be that productivity of Lake Washington is the limiting factor, and that additional sockeye fry will not do anything to change that, not one whit.

That's the first reason why it's a complete waste of $30 Million.

Second...even if the prevailing science is incorrect, and the amount of fry being produced is indeed the limiting factor, then even if the new hatchery is running at full 100% capacity (which is very difficult to do without many tens of thousands of more adults making it back to the hatchery), and that there is a direct connection between full scale hatchery fry production and adult returns...which is very, very unlikely...there will be between 1 and 3 additional sockeye seasons every 20 years.

All that, and a cup of coffee...for $30 Million.

Recap: If the prevailing scientific opinion is correct, zero additional fishing seasons. If the older scientific opinion is correct (based on the "plant more, then more return" type of assumption), then there will be 1-3 more seasons every two decades.

Waste of money...big waste...especially when we have dozens of things that could have actual impacts on wild fish, many of which are listed on the ESA, that we could spend our money on and really expand fishing opportunities in the future.

Fish on...

Todd