Oregon Public Broadcasting

A scientific review team concludes Northwest salmon hatcheries have to change the way they do business if the region is to see more wild fish return from the sea.

This panel produced a thousand pages of praise and criticism and detailed suggestions. Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports.

This three-year review of the region’s 178 hatcheries was funded by Congress. The scientists found, for example, that the hatcheries must be more careful to release their fish in places where they don’t compete with natural salmon runs.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the study says the hatcheries are an integral part of the fisheries scene for the foreseeable future.

Study facilitator Jim Waldo says if all of the recommendations are adopted, there will be big changes in the way hatcheries are operated in the Columbia and Snake River Basins.

Jim Waldo: “There are a number of other hatcheries, particularly in the lower river, they will either need programs drastically changed or reduced or moved.”

The hatchery study is being presented to the region’s elected officials. Study director Peter Paquet says the proposed changes may ultimately cost the region more money to relocate facilities to more closely monitor interaction with the wild salmon runs.

Online:

The Hatchery Scientific Review Group study