Hatchery Review
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region Fisheries Program (Service)initiated a series of hatchery reviews in May 2005 to assure that its 21 Columbia River hatchery programs are part of an effective and integrated strategy consistent with State, Tribal, and Federal approaches for conserving wild stocks and managing fisheries in watersheds within the Columbia Basin. These reviews are tailored after a successful process first implemented in Puget Sound and Coastal Washington watersheds. We plan to complete these reviews in 2009.
"The goal of this review project is to ensure that our hatcheries are operated on the best scientific principles and contribute to sustainable fisheries and the recovery of naturally spawning populations of salmon," said Dan Diggs, Assistant Regional Director of the regional fisheries program.
The Service Hatchery Review Team has completed their review of Service hatchery programs in the mid-Columbia area of eastern Washington (Leavenworth, Entiat, and Winthrop National Fish Hatcheries) and in the lower Columbia area of Oregon and Washington (Warm Springs, Spring Creek, Little White Salmon, Willard, Carson, and Eagle Creek National Fish Hatcheries. We are now moving forward with coordination and implementation of recommendations affecting these programs.
The Team is now conducting reviews of National Fish Hatcheries (Dworshak, Kooskia, and Hagerman) and Service owned hatchery facilities of the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan located in the Lower Snake River area of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
The Service has also formed a second hatchery review team which is now developing specific reform recommendations for National Fish Hatcheries within the Olympic Peninsula of Washington (Ouilcene, Makah, and Quinault National Fish Hatcheries). We expect to complete these recommendations by late 2008.
For more information and copies of completed reports visit the project
website
