I participated in my first ever hatchery clipping event. We were able to get a group of folks together to clip nearly 70,000 coho at the Eagle Creek Hatchery near Monroe, WA. The Eagle Creek Hatchery is sponsored and funded by the Everett Salmon and Steelhead Club. This event was organized by Matt Kennedy (Element Masonry and Element Outdoors) who is well known in this area for his gives to the industry.
We were able to get more than 50 volunteers to show up, including boys from a Cub Scout Pack and two Boy Scout Troops, including six boys from the Troop in which I am an assistant Scoutmaster.
In the past few years, we have heard so much about hatchery programs that we are sick, tired, and frustrated. The wild fish advocates oppose hatcheries and sue the departments of fish and wildlife into submission, constantly reducing the numbers of smolt that can legally be released. Patagonia released “Artifishal” and promotes propaganda of untrue information that puts more stress on hatchery programs. Blah, blah, blah, the list goes on. Now the Wild Fish Conservancy and the Conservation Angler along with other “like” special interest groups are continuing to sue WDFW into submission to end their hatchery programs once and for all.
Look at our salmon and steelhead runs in the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, 2000s and today. The trend that is easy to decipher is that as we have released less smolt, we get smaller returns. All that I can say is, duh!
The point is, both wild and hatchery fish have a ton of adversity. The fact that even a single fish makes it back to spawn is a miracle. What I know is that we need to keep fighting, we need to educate people through programs like “Hatchery Wild Coexist,” and we need to bring everyone to the table to have candid conversations that result in sustainable solutions.
Enough with the negative stuff. Let’s take a look at a positive program that will inspire hope and reinforce that hatchery programs work.
I spend much of my time fishing on the Snohomish River and tributaries in NW Washington. Sure, the runs are not what they once were, but other than steelhead, they are good, strong. We can thank WDFW, the tribes and private groups for what we do have. Last year was exceptional. Our returns of hatchery Chinook and coho as well as wild fish has been strong. There are many reasons for this, but I want to highlight just one.
On Saturday, October 2nd, I participated in my first ever hatchery clipping event. We were able to get a group of folks together to clip nearly 70,000 coho at the Eagle Creek Hatchery near Monroe, WA. The Eagle Creek Hatchery is sponsored and funded by the Everett Salmon and Steelhead Club. This event was organized by Matt Kennedy (Element Masonry and Element Outdoors) who is well known in this area for his gives to the industry. Matt volunteers as the hatchery manager while owning and running a successful masonry business and guiding on the weekends. We were able to get more than 50 volunteers to show up, including boys from a Cub Scout Pack and two Boy Scout Troops, including six boys from the Troop in which I am an assistant Scoutmaster. It was fun, educational and an opportunity for the younger volunteers to see where the fish come from that end up on the dinner table.
With a strong hatchery program, we have fish to catch and eat. This lessons the pressure on the wild fish, allowing them to migrate upriver and spawn. Sure, we catch and release some of the wild fish, but there were so many coho last fall that I am really excited for 2023-2025 returns.
Both wild and hatchery fish have a ton of adversity. The fact that even a single fish makes it back to spawn is a miracle.
We are lucky to have several State and private hatcheries raising fish, including endangered chum salmon. The chum numbers have really plummeted in the last ten years, so we have been able to develop a brood stock program to help them come back and hopefully thrive again in the future.
Once again, the adversity that a fish faces from the time it is born until it returns to spawn is incredible. So many things can go wrong when they first hatch from their egg sacks. There are predators in the river and as they out-migrate, the face a gauntlet of hazards. If they make it into the salt, the next phase of challenges begins. Once they grow to a pound or two, their chances of survival increase, but they still have a long road ahead. I am oversimplifying all of this and not even mentioning environmental factors, population pressures, pollutants, or ocean conditions, let alone, high-seas poaching and overharvest. The point is, they can use a little help from us, and we owe it to them. The best thing that we could do is to abandon all population with miles of every creek and river, but that is never going to happen. The next best thing is to use science to help, and that begins with strong hatchery presence.
Become an advocate. Volunteer to help. Join a group such as the Everett Salmon and Steelhead Club, the Snohomish Sportsman’s Club, or a host of others. Give a little money. Most importantly, cherish what we have, be conservation minded and do your part to help these amazing creatures survive for future generations.
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4 comments
Wild Coho have not increased due to the absence of Hatchery fish. They have increased because they are protected from commercial and sport fishing, with a few minor exceptions. It is well documented that removing hatchery fish from a river results in a constant level or decline of wild fish.
Good article !! I am retired from ODFW with 28 yrs in hatcheries. Your points are well taken . Environmental groups are hurting runs with wild fish policies. I can’t see the difference of a wild or hatchery salmonid. I tell people that if the environmentalists would back down, the hatcheries could double runs of fish for people.
Like you I have fished the Snohomish system my entire life, and yes we need more strong hatcheries to keep our runs strong. I joined the Snohomish sportsman club in order to give back what I have enjoyed for most of my life, I encourage others to get involved in any way they can. I want my grandkids and their kids to be able to enjoy what I have.
Wild coho south of Columbia have been increasing since hatchery coho discontinued. Lets watch the trend and follow the science.