just a couple of thoughts.
what has become obvious, over time, is that genetic diversity is key to survival. so how does that translate into what we observe?
fish return in a 'normal' but steep curve, to their natal rivers. that allows wander of some fish to other nearby drainages. so while 90% may select the drainage from which they came, that 10% will distribute north and south of that natal river. that simple genetic fact allows for one river system to be devistated via flood or drought and the fish strain to survive.
now while we may release all of the hatchery steelhead on wednesday and expect the majority to return in 12 months between monday and friday, wild steelhead perform differently. it should come as no surprise to find wild steelhead wandering back over the span of months. again, a genetic diversity in a strain allowing for drought or flood while the strain survives.
the notion that interaction of hatchery and wild steelhead is minimal because of the calendar is more than likely a false assumption. again, genetic diversity has programmed individual fish to seek individual return times. over the eons that has also served to preserve the species from natural occurring events on home rivers.
hatchery steelhead, no matter when that release occurs, have more than likely had a huge negative impact on the very genetic diversity needed to insure wild species survival. unfortunately, chambers stock, as an example, using the 'commonly available time arguement' have most likely totally eliminated a huge portion of that wild stock genetic diversity necessary for survival.
of course, much of what i am posting is nothing more than conjecture as there is zero way, at least in 2008, to actually get a handle on these impacts. but what we do know, and what we can actually observe, is the hatchery mitigation programs which have been running on various river systems, while producing hatchery returns, have also lead to the observation that wild fish are no longer around.
now since groucho is my role model for many psudo scientific conclusions, i do believe my eyes. massive hatchery stocking -> few to no wild steelhead. now you may choose to draw a different conclusion, but for me it is totally obvious.
the hatchery programs have led to the elimination of genetic diversity. and as a result of that, we now see fewer and fewer returning wild steelhead. the thinking that goes on at WDFW as well as ODFW regarding these issues, IMHO, is totally off base, as i view many of your comments smalma, and without merit based on observation, not theory.
so smalma, sorry to say, i cannot agree with your position of hatchery fish not damaging wild stocks. i would argue that the reason you don't see wild fish when the majority of hatchery fish are returning is that those hatchery fish have caused the extinction of an important element of genetic diversity.
could be lots of other factors, i recognize that as well, but here we are, hatchery programs continue at full tilt, wild steelhead continue to decline. linked?? i would think they are, 100%.
solution: on those river systems that have been severly impacted, stock'um and allow put and take harvest. on those river systems that have a hope of wild fish recovery, shutter the hatchery programs and divert those funds to habitat restoration, no fishing for 5 years, period. on any river system negatively impacted by impoundments, stock'um and forget'um. go to federal court and file an injunction against the killing of any fish with and ESA listing by everyone. not even the indians have a 'right' to kill listed fish.
but, as i have posted, all of these poor judgement issues as well as habitat issues have been trumped by global warming. with all of our wild fish now in trouble, the last thing we needed was global warming of our waters. i am afraid that with this 500# gorilla now a reality, these past crappy management practices combined with all of the other factors we can chat about have doomed the cold water fishes to extinction. sad thought but one i am getting used too.