On July 11 the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), which represents the Yakama, Nez Perce, Warm Springs and Umatilla Tribes, wrote
key Committee chairs in the United States Congress seeking to remove the current requirement for mass marking of hatchery produced salmon at federally-funded salmon hatcheries. The CRITFC letter claims that mass marking primarily benefits mark selective non-Indian fisheries over conservation. They also cited the cost of mass marking and selective fishing programs as another reason for ending the requirement.
Congressman Norm Dicks (D-Belfair) is the powerful ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee and has authored the federal mass marking requirement every year since 2003. In response to an inquiry from Congressman Dicks the Chairs of the Hatchery Scientific Review Group (HSRG) weighed in on the CRIFTC letter. HSRG's July 22 letter noted that their review of Columbia River salmon populations indicated that productivity and natural-origin spawner abundance would double if hatchery and selective harvest reforms are implemented and that mass marking is an essential tool for accomplishing both.
HSRG concluded that "the necessity to mark hatchery fish for genetic and harvest management reasons is strongly endorsed by the scientific community and has been advocated by independent scientific review groups and the Washington State Legislature." In 1995 Washington State adopted a requirement that all Coho and Chinook salmon released from WDFW hatcheries be externally marked.
The latest dust up over mass marking follows an equally heated debate over the science surrounding hatchery supplementation, with the Columbia River Tribes taking a contrary view to most federal, state and independent scientists.
For July an estimated 8,549 steelhead were kept by sport fishermen, compared with 8,200 for that month in 2009.
Unfortunately, these steelhead are running during an 8” mest gillnet season below Bonneville Dam, and many of those caught show marks of gillnet damage. CCA’s Harry Barber submitted the photo below, and writes:
“While bankfishing below Bonneville yesterday {August 19th}, I had the opportunity to inspect a number of retained hatchery fish and a lesser number of released wild fish. The number of fish exhibiting gillnet marks was extensive. We continue to hear that "steelhead swim right through 8 inch gillnets", but this is not reality. Attached are pictures of a couple of fish with net marks. The gillnet fishery is an extensive fishery from the Lewis River upstream to Beacon Rock,.However, there are NO ON BOARD MONITORS, NO RECOVERY BOXES AND NO SOAK TIME LIMITS.
Following a morning of fishing, we spent some time in the fish viewing room at the dam. Here again, we observed a significant number of net marked fish. Harry
In the photo below, note the net marks on the largest steelhead.
CCA is developing a collection of photos of fish that show evidence of gillnet damage. Please take photos of these fish from ANYWHERE in Washington, and send them to CCA with an explanation of where you caught the fish.
On Saturday, August 20th the North Sound Chapter of CCA and fellow members from Fourth Corner Fly Fishers joined the Whatcom Land Trust and Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group for a restoration work party on the Samish River Preserve.
The “Samish River Preserve,” spans over 650 acres of marsh wetlands, tributary streams, and upland forests, and supports resident sea run cutthroat trout, rearing Coho salmon, and winter steelhead along with an abundance of other wildlife.
Volunteers spent the hot August day clearing canary grass and meticulously hauling 5 gallon bucket of mulch to protect recent plantings at the headwaters.
Cindy Morgan, Chapter secretary, reports that the Southwest Washington chapter of CCA recently staffed a booth at the Clark County Fair to spread the word about the good things CCA is doing for fish.
“700 people stopped by the booth and took information” said Glen Johnston, SW CCA President, “and 40 new members signed up. We had volunteers in the booth for 122 hours during the 10 day event.”
The goal was to educate the general public about the plight of our precious marine resources and CCA’s goal to recover and restore fish runs for future generations.
“Our CCA monthly meeting, traditionally held on the second Tuesday of each month, was held at Camas Meadows Golf Club during the scheduled fair event.” continued Johnston. “We had a couple of the new members we recruited at the Fair, join us at the meeting. It was great!”
Billed as ‘Summers Best Party,’ the Clark County Fair received 248,000 attendees in 2010 and celebrated 143 years in 2011.
Past President and Board Member – Steve Koch and his wife Sue spread the word about CCA to members of the general public who attended the Clark County Fair held Aug. 5 thru 14.
The work of CCA is dependent upon volunteers. Please volunter to help. No experience is needed. To volunteer in any way, a little or a lot, go to our website here.
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