Originally Posted by
Andy
The Klamath has been "supplemented" with hatchery nookies for decades but the returns keep yo-yo'ing downwards. Should they release more and more and hope there is a number that works? Maybe the supplementation regime isn't working for reasons we don't understand. Is it because because hatchery fish are not on par with wild fish that evolved in a system over eons?
The Shasta River, pre Dwinnell Dam, saw 80,000 returning Chinook. Its a natural hatchery for fish populations that evolved over thousands of years to perfectly harmonize with the Shasta River's nuances. Then manifest destiny happened, conquer the west and all that progress. All the snowmelt is now impounded in Lake Shastina. The cold water springs below the dam are all impounded and run through 3 pastures before the unconsumed water, hot and cow shit tainted, enters the river. The Shasta Coho are now extirpated (37 returned this year), Summer Steelhead are gone, Springers gone, last year a pathetic 4000 chinook returned.
I, along with a few friends, formed Friends of the Shasta River because the potential of its natural capacity is still there. We are here because the state, despite trying for almost 3 decades, has not improved conditions enough to improve fish health. Problem is the Shasta's potential is held hostage by agriculture and business as usual will cease if they are forced to share the water. Fighting folks like Red Emmerson (owns the ranch with the prime springs), who specialize in resource extraction, is truly David vs. Goliath. We will eventually win but its going to be a long haul.
Point is I firmly believe in habitat not hatcheries. If hatchery fish were the solution this thread would not be here.
Andy Marx
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