Implementing Hatchery Reform

Implementing the HSRG's recommendations and putting into practice the new approach to salmon and steelhead management will require capital investment, a commitment to new hatchery practices, and accountability to ensure goals are being achieved. The state and tribal co-managers have agreed with the vast majority of the recommendations and have implemented many of them. They are working with the HSRG and the facilitation team to design a strategy for changing the way hatcheries are managed, and incorporating hatchery reform into other salmon recovery and harvest management processes.

In 2004, that work included technical discussions that resulted in new management tools and papers refining key hatchery reform concepts; regional workshops where guidelines for integrated and segregated hatchery programs and tools such as AHA were applied to regional case studies; co-manager decision-making meetings on implementing reform in each region; and work by the HSRG to prepare manuscripts for the peer-reviewed scientific literature.

In 2005, the co-managers are applying AHA to additional case studies; wrapping up regional decision-making meetings; and incorporating the recommendations into recovery plans and other management documents and processes. The HSRG is completing its tools and scientific publications; developing an agenda to guide hatchery-related research; and preparing for a conference on hatchery reform to be held in the second half of the year.

Implementation of the 1,000 program-specific recommendations continues. The state, tribal and federal managers have developed databases for tracking the status of each recommendation. They report that over one-third have been completed.

Examples include:

• Species Preservation: The Elwha Fish Restoration Team is evaluating options for preserving Elwha chinook during removal of dams and is incorporating HSRG recommendations for improved stock management.
• Revised Program Management: Hatchery runs of chinook and coho returning to Tulalip Bay have been revised to reduce genetic risks and further assess stray rates.
• Discontinued Programs: Hatchery programs for Dungeness fall pink, Garrison Springs chum, Fox Island hatchery coho and chinook, Minter Creek chum and pink, and Tulalip Bay hatchery spring chinook have been discontinued.
• Hatchery Closure: The McAllister Creek Hatchery on the Nisqually River was closed due to poor fish survival, water quality and disease transfer issues.
• Facility Improvements: Improvements for water quality, rearing and predator control are being implemented to increase the success of the chinook conservation program at Whitehorse and Harvey Creek facilities on the Stillaguamish River.