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It might not. Part of Priest Rapids Fall Chinook management plan is to include wild fish in the broodstock. Last year was the second year for the live capture (which has now become a derby). Immediate mortality was just under 1% from sport handling. The fish stayed at the hatchery for about another month, and the long term mortality exactly matched the fish that swam to the hatchery on their own.


Well maybe yes maybe no. It is site specific as a fish that has made it through transition from salt to fresh has a lower mortality but in transition it is much higher. ( Grays Harbor & Willapa Bay is 20% mortality for REC C&R ) A very good way to view it is the farther up stream the fish encounters humans the better the survival or another way of saying it is slimed is OK, really slimed up ( completed transition ) salmon are very hardy creatures. This is the rub as the highest mortality from contact with humans is in the estuary ( transition water fisheries ) and the least in river.
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Dazed and confused.............the fog is closing in