CM -
Without a doubt the Chinook of the region are getting younger. In the case of the Puget Sound hatchery fish the older fish (5 years or more) have all but disappeared. However we still have some 4 year old fish returning to our hatcheries.

For argument sake let's assume that 1/3 of the adults returning to the hatchery rake are 4 years old (and yes the data indicates it may be that low). Not can doubt that if we continue down the current path of non-selection in the hatchery protocols and have 2/3 of the brood being 3 years and 1/3 4 years the overall population will continue to get younger and in a couple decades we may well be looking at a Chinook population with an average age of 3. However we have adequate surpluses back to the various PS hatcheries most years to easily reverse that ratio to 1/3 3 years and 2/3 4 years and in many cases do some selection for the faster growing fish.

And yes I agree that food availability is important. While selective breeding the PS hatchery Chinook is an imperfect solution that only address the hatchery piece it is something that can be done this fall! Ultimately we both would like to see massive reductions in the fishing on the ocean feeding grounds not sure either of us will live long enough to see that. I have not heard how the new Pacific salmon treaty will address this issue but guessing it will not be adequate to reverse the size/age trends. That treaty will sit the standard for the next decade.

I refuse to sit on my hands and watch things to go south. Do you have any suggestions that might provide some benefit to these issues that might actually see implemented?

Curt