My understanding is that the tribes don't support managing for natural sockeye spawning escapement because reproductive success is low, or poor, in the river delta area. This is a mistake because it places too much reliance on the hatchery being successful. The hatchery is very well managed and is very successful. But the fish health experts have been unanimous in urging spreading the risk by putting sockeye eggs in as many "baskets", if you will, as possible. This means using the spawning beaches, the hatchery, and natural reproduction. Sockeye reproductive success is always one epidemic outbreak of IHN away. Managing some of the fish for natural escapement is just smart insurance. And if this is done consistently, more and more sockeye will venture upstream beyond the upper Baker delta and colonize more of the suitable spawning habitat and experience higher reproductive success. However, natural spawning will never be as successful as the artificial spawning beaches or the hatchery, except when a major epidemic strikes. And the history of sockeye culture says it's inevitable.

Sg