What the...Hatchery fish endangered?????

[Larry3215]

This makes no sense to me.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/more-pacific ... 06725.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[G-Man]

I believe they want to protect the hatchery produced fish that are re-introduced/released back to the rivers from where they have are originally taken. They have the same genes as the native fish however, they were raised in a hatchery. Almost like a boodstock program, only the fish are let go to return as adults.

[Larry3215]

Im still confused - I thought all the fish were released to come back as adults?

Maybe I should re-read the article.....

[G-Man]

Think of it like this. There are some few hatcheries that started producing fish with the native fish from the river on which they are located. These fish have the same genectic makeup of the native fish, just not the same upbringing. The sockeye on the Baker river would be an example. All the feds are saying is if the combines returns of one of these runs of fish fall below a certain threshold, both native and hatchery fish should be afforded protection under a federal lisitng. This would do more than just close the system to harvest tribal, commercial or sport harvest. Funds may be provided by the government to augment the hatchery program and they would also look at past, present and future projects negatively impacting these runs. Water usage, timber harvest, mining, predation by sea lions, etc. this would all be looked at with a mind to protect all the fish in that particular run.

[Larry3215]

Ok, that makes more sense. Thanks!