Difference in Lateral Line Morphology Between Hatchery- and Wild-Origin Steelhead

A comparison of hatchery fish (left) sensing capacity vs. wild fish (right) sensing capacity.

A new report explores the hypothesis that hatchery-reared juveniles might exhibit morphological defects in vulnerable mechanosensory systems prior to release from the hatchery, potentiating reduced survival after release.

As you might expect hatchery fish suck in the sensory department. 

LINK (via:The Wild Steelhead Coalition)

A Reminder to Take Action to Protect Wild Steelhead

In 2004, the Director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife challenged the agency to develop a scientific foundation for a Statewide Steelhead Management Plan (SSMP). Thanks to a broad coalition of individiuals and fish advocacy groups the 2008 final draft of that plan called for the establishment of Wild Steelhead Management Zones, or as they are often referred to today, Wild Steelhead Gene Banks. Fast forward to today and YOU now have the opportunity to help establish of three of the Wild Steelhead Gene Banks.

Thanks to the Native Fish Society it will only take you a minute or two to submit your comment on a proposal to eliminate hatchery steelhead plants as early as next year in three Lower Columbia River tributaries (EF Lewis, Green/NF Toutle and Wind Rivers) to support the recovery of wild fish.

Take action now and let the WDFW and NMFS know that you support management actions that implement the best-available science and recover threatened wild steelhead populations in Washington.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW!

Deadline for comments is this Friday, December 13th.

Solutions for conservation: Dean River steelhead

Robert Hooton, retired fisheries biologist and wild steelhead advocate checks in from British Columbia with a perspective on fisheries management for Dean River steelhead.

LINK (via: The Wild Steelhead Coalition)

Waypoints Film Premier – One Night, Three Cities

Proceeds from all three shows benefit the Wild Steelhead Coalition.

Seattle, WA - 7 pm, $13 advance, $15 at the door - 

SIFF Cinema Uptown, 511 Queen Anne Avenue, Seattle, WA 98109 - BUY TICKETS

Spokane, WA - 6 pm, $10 at the door –

Northern Quest Resort and Casino, Airway Heights, WA 99101

Bend, OR - 7 pm, $10 advance, $12 at the door –

Volcanic Pub Theater, 70 SW Century Drive, Bend, OR 97701 – BUY TICKETS

Whistling Past the Graveyard

Graphic and images courtesy of Rich Simms and Jeff Bright

Despite being one of the crown jewels for wild steelhead on the Olympic Peninsula, the Hoh River once again failed to meet its wild steelhead escapement goal this last season. The wild run was forecasted at 3,943, with a projected escapement goal of 2,400, the actual escapement included only 2,218 wild fish. The numbers are truly depressing when compared to historic abundance and the fact that habitat is warranted through the Olympic National Park and efforts by Hoh River Trust and Western Rivers Conservancy. Meanwhile harvest by both sport and tribe remains and intensive angling pressure continues.

Below is the wake up call issued by Dick Burge in his 2009 article, Hoh River Wild Steelhead on the Brink.

Time has become short; we all need to stand up and speak out now for changes in Washington wild steelhead management or place our last memories of fishing for those wild fish in our photo albums! The Hoh is one of four major rivers (along with the Quinault, Queets and Quillayute rivers) in the state’s last region of fishable wild stocks,the Olympic Peninsula. These rivers are all mismanaged in the same manner for maximum harvest benefits at the expense of future runs and they all appear headed toward depletion and Endangered Species Act listing unless change is quickly made. If we do not set new standards for wild steelhead management now, we will loose the last area where large rivers still provide a full season for wild fish sport fishing and a real future for all steelheaders.

Here we are four years later and Washington's management practices are still pushing the Hoh's wild steelhead run towards extinction. Four years later, and sound science based policy proposals put forth by the Wild Steelhead Coalition, and others, to protect wild steelhead were rejected by the state.

Four years later and we're still whistling the same tune.

State officials tout the Wind River as a showcase for wild steelhead recovery

The stocking of hatchery-origin steelhead in the Wind River ended in 1998.

LINK (via: The Columbian)

Perhaps a few more hatcheries need to go?