Originally Posted By: Carcassman
On the Keogh they showed that, by decreasing smolt age they increased smolt numbers. Consequently, the run went from non-self sustaining to self sustaining.

Initially, they decreased smolt age by a combination of fertilizing and in-stream habitat improvements. Then, they sustained the nutrient level through spawning salmon. Whenever nutrient levels crashed, smolt age immediately increased.


The above is physical evidence... good evidence that escapement goals must increase as habitat is improved (if we hope to see a "return" on our investments).

I recently had it explained to me that the reason we don't necessarily need to increase escapement to benefit from habitat improvements is that fewer spawners will be more productive spawning in more suitable habitat. I'm sure there's truth in that, but it ignores the other, critical piece of what makes up fish habitat in the otherwise relatively sterile PNW streams: a lot of salmon carcasses to keep nutrient levels high enough to support future generations.

How much longer can we ignore the elephant?