And one more consideration about genetic swamping when 75% of more of the spawners on the gravel are hatch-origin.

Suppose the hatchery program were stopped due to genetic concerns (a worst case scenario) or stopped due to the run being deemed "recovered" (a best case scenario).....

What would become of the remaining naturally-producing population of fall chinook? Would they really continue to sustain themselves? Or would their reduced reproductive fitness (resulting from generations of genetic swamping by hatchery fish) result in fewer wild fish in subsequent generations.

Something tells me that we will never get to find out (well, at least in my lifetime) because as long as fall chinook keep coming back to the Snake in any numbers, the hatchery will be given credit for it.
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"Let every angler who loves to fish think what it would mean to him to find the fish were gone." (Zane Grey)

"If you don't kill them, they will spawn." (Carcassman)


The Keen Eye MD
Long Live the Kings!