cosmo
05-12-2003, 09:57 AM
All things take time. This move by ODFW represents a positive step forward for the future of fish. It may not be a pulling of the drain plug like our wild fish folks would like to see for hatcheries---no, this is a move that respects both the needs of wild fish, the realities of habitiat, logging, develpment, and ag, and the needs of the fishing community and industry.
Times are changing. Too fast for some. Too slow for others. Maybe that makes the process just right.
From ODFW.......
PORTLAND - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously adopted Friday
a new policy for fish hatchery management that aims to benefit fisheries,
conserve wild fish and maintain watershed health.
Consistent with hatchery reforms undertaken in Washington, the new policy
links individual hatchery programs with basin-wide management and Oregon's
Native Fish Conservation Policy, establishes a strong commitment to
monitoring and evaluation and calls for strong public input on hatchery
program management plans. In a departure from historical management, future
monitoring and evaluation programs will focus on the post-release survival of
hatchery fish and impacts to natural populations. Previous monitoring
programs focused on in-hatchery survival and contribution to fisheries. The
policy goes into effect immediately.
The Commission is the rule-making body for the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife. The seven-member panel meets monthly to establish policies and
administrative regulations for the agency to implement.
The Hatchery Management Policy calls for the creation of hatchery program
management plans that clearly define the role of the program to benefit
harvest opportunities or conserve wild fish, provide a survival advantage
over wild fish, sustain production over time and minimize adverse impacts to
wild fish and watersheds.
Under the new policy, conservation hatchery programs will be kept distinct
from those programs managed to produce fish for fishing. Harvest programs
will provide fisheries consistent with protection of wild fish and will
generally aim to separate hatchery-bred fish from naturally-produced fish
both in fisheries and on spawning grounds. Conservation hatchery programs
will be used to increase the number of wild fish without affecting the
genetics and behaviors of targeted wild populations. However, these programs
will be used in limited areas until research shows the programs are
succeeding. In addition, conservation hatchery programs will be used in
conjunction with other projects to address the root causes of declines in the
wild fish population.
The Hatchery Management Policy also provides statewide guidelines for fish
culture, which includes broodstock source and collection, disposition of
adult surpluses, spawning and incubation, rearing, marking and handling, and
release.
Earlier versions of the draft hatchery policy included language to protect
fish health. As a result of public comments, a separate Fish Health Policy
will be drafted later this year to address fish health of both hatchery and
wild fish.
[ 05-12-2003, 11:17 AM: Message edited by: cosmo ]
Times are changing. Too fast for some. Too slow for others. Maybe that makes the process just right.
From ODFW.......
PORTLAND - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously adopted Friday
a new policy for fish hatchery management that aims to benefit fisheries,
conserve wild fish and maintain watershed health.
Consistent with hatchery reforms undertaken in Washington, the new policy
links individual hatchery programs with basin-wide management and Oregon's
Native Fish Conservation Policy, establishes a strong commitment to
monitoring and evaluation and calls for strong public input on hatchery
program management plans. In a departure from historical management, future
monitoring and evaluation programs will focus on the post-release survival of
hatchery fish and impacts to natural populations. Previous monitoring
programs focused on in-hatchery survival and contribution to fisheries. The
policy goes into effect immediately.
The Commission is the rule-making body for the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife. The seven-member panel meets monthly to establish policies and
administrative regulations for the agency to implement.
The Hatchery Management Policy calls for the creation of hatchery program
management plans that clearly define the role of the program to benefit
harvest opportunities or conserve wild fish, provide a survival advantage
over wild fish, sustain production over time and minimize adverse impacts to
wild fish and watersheds.
Under the new policy, conservation hatchery programs will be kept distinct
from those programs managed to produce fish for fishing. Harvest programs
will provide fisheries consistent with protection of wild fish and will
generally aim to separate hatchery-bred fish from naturally-produced fish
both in fisheries and on spawning grounds. Conservation hatchery programs
will be used to increase the number of wild fish without affecting the
genetics and behaviors of targeted wild populations. However, these programs
will be used in limited areas until research shows the programs are
succeeding. In addition, conservation hatchery programs will be used in
conjunction with other projects to address the root causes of declines in the
wild fish population.
The Hatchery Management Policy also provides statewide guidelines for fish
culture, which includes broodstock source and collection, disposition of
adult surpluses, spawning and incubation, rearing, marking and handling, and
release.
Earlier versions of the draft hatchery policy included language to protect
fish health. As a result of public comments, a separate Fish Health Policy
will be drafted later this year to address fish health of both hatchery and
wild fish.
[ 05-12-2003, 11:17 AM: Message edited by: cosmo ]