Title: Fish in the Columbia River Basin

Hatcheries and Salmon Populations

Author: Connor Pilarowski

Abstract: Salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin have been decreasing since the nineteenth century, largely due to heavy commercial fishing. The development and extensive use of fish hatcheries has had varying effects on the salmon populations, with significant indications that the hatcheries may actually be causing more harm then benefits. Recent interest in restoring more natural fish populations has led to a change in the management system for hatcheries, with an emphasis placed on salmon that spawn in the free flowing river instead of in hatchery ponds.

Key References:

Fish Division, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Fish Propagation Annual Report for 2006” April 2007.

Bonneville Power Administration. “Columbia River hatcheries: an evolving role” Backgrounder, December 2006.

Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries, Department of Commerce. Federal Register. Vol. 70, No. 170. Friday, September 2, 2005

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Date: May 2008
Student: cpilarow@willamette.edu
ENVR 327: Water Resources
Instructor: Dr. Karen Arabas
http://www.willamette.edu/~karabas/courses/envr327w