We really do need to look at "what used to be". But it needs to be balanced by what was going on in the environment, both terrestrial and aquatic. What fisheries were going on in the ocean, what was the status of the food chain, how many seals, how many dams, and a whole list of things.

Just because we used to produce 5 million smolts doesn't mean we can now. I know of a number of hatcheries in WA where development in the watershed has reduced the amount of water they can divert. Can't grow fish without water.