Hatcheries Are NOT The Enemy - A Mini Documentary on Salmon & Steelhead Conservation

A mini-documentary from Hatchery & Wild Coexist. The world of salmon and steelhead has dealt with the downturn of wild stocks for over a century. Obvious causes such as over-harvest, habitat degradation and predation have caused this. Unfortunately, hatcheries have become a scapegoat and unnecessarily have been attacked by certain, well-funded "conservation" groups with faulty theories and outdated science..
Recent, peer-reviewed research has shown that hatcheries are not having a negative effect on wild fish, though many large well-funded corporations would like people to believe that.
Instead, hatcheries have become a large part of recovery efforts and have preserved certain stocks that may have gone extinct without the help of hatchery operations.
This production is meant to educate individuals that are not aware of the important role that Pacific Northwest hatcheries play in the health and abundance of our waterways. Our organization also trusts that our viewers will come away with an understanding that wild salmon and steelhead do coexist with hatchery fish. And that without a strong hatchery population, many wild runs would become extinct within a few years and a very large sport fishing industry would be crippled.
Listen as we lay out the case that "Hatcheries Are NOT The Enemy"
Executive Producer/Creative Director: Don M New
Videographer: Matt Guth
Narration/Music Score: Lucas Holmgren
Writer: Don M New
Editor: Lucas Holmgren

[@cascadecreeksguiding]

I understand the depredation aspect of this, seals, sea lion, etc… but why does no one want to talk about all of the predator fish that have been planted and maintained in the Columbia river and tributaries like bass, walleye, blue gill and perch? Can you imagine how many smolt this predators kill every year as fish go down river? The irony is, the pike minnow, one of the native fish on the Columbia has a bounty on its head, yet we are continuing to maintain the non native fish populations…

[@thehoundGOT]

These sound like great points you've raised. I would also speculate that the significant decline in shark numbers worldwide might've let seal (and maybe other species) populations balloon which in turn might be a contributing factor to the decline in salmon and probably other species of fish.

[@austinsonger388]

Thanks to all the ambassadors of this sport for taking the time to speak!!! Wow. All the greats!!!

[@dontevenfr0nt]

Cool to see a lot of active fishing embassadors in the video. Great narration Lucas. What a great run of summer chinook were having right now thanks to all those hatcheries and their hard work. Without them no one would be fishing even commercial. The damage is too far done. Now we just need to rollout proper hatchery management programs that involve broodstock and using wild genetics to get the most robust fish we can get.

[@pancakeface5717]

Helluva clear cut on steep slopes behind the Buzz Ramsey segment. Logging practices are often bad for salmon. Yes we need timber and timber jobs, but we need salmon and salmon jobs, too.

[@INTHEOUT]

Great info! Appreciate everything you guys are doing! Always got your backs. Share share share this people!!!

[@lucasholmgrenmusic]

Thank you!!!

[@merdus69]

Habitat is a big piece. Here in Ontario, we have excellent runs of wild steelhead in those rivers that present appropriate habitat. These are plentiful runs that have evolved their own genetic strain (i.e. Ganaraska). We inadvertently sidestep the hatchery debate purely because there isn't enough money to go round; and because our ministry of natural resources doesn't support across-the-board stocking of rivers (if it ain't broke...). Our southern neighbours have a far more generous and ubiquitous approach to stocking. The result is better numbers' fishing, but quality suffers appreciably. In my experience, if you want to catch numbers you go south; if you want a better chance at higher quality, you give yourself just enough time before sun-up to stop by your local Tim Hortons as you head out. So while I don't disagree that hatcheries are a good thing, there's lots to be said about being selective - and keeping in mind that the best answer to all these problems is good habitat. And - oh yeah - just because they aren't west coast fish, doesn't make them any less precious as a resource.

[@MrFishguy60]

Really good info. You should add your website link in the description.

[@jamonh]

Shared! Thanks for the info!

[@hooks4nooks]

Take a fishery like the Salmon River, tributary to the Queets River in Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Correct me if I'm wrong. This is a very productive brood-stock program that has high numbers of returning winter steelhead. It's ran by the tribes and I don't think they're restricted in how many smolt they're allowed to release. They do a fantastic job. It fishes awesome, when you used to be able to fish it in the park. Then take a river like the Kalama River in SW Washington. WDFW only puts a fraction of brood stock smolts in that river. What I see is a productive, large return (Salmon River) vs miniscule return, unproductive river (Kalama). Comparatively. Why the restriction on smolt plants? The Salmon River thrives with steelhead and you can have multiple steelhead days vs you're doing good to catch 1, fishing hard on the Kalama. And if they don't want hatchery fish to spawn with wilds, take them out at the falls hatchery? I agree, the time is now, brood stock programs can and will work if you give them a chance. Plant some fish!

[@brianjohnston4207]

The only hatchery fish that shouldn't attempt to spawn naturally with wild fish are comprised of out of basin genetics. Even if you use in basin genetics they have to outmigrate as the same time as the fish born in the gravel. This will produce a fish that's virtually identical to those born in the gravel while having equivalent spawning performance above the hatchery.

[@davidsalo8397]

Here's something for the "only wild fish" crowd to chew on: If you want wild salmon and steelhead to rebound and flourish, you got a lot of work to do. So much more than removing the lower Snake River dams. 1) Remove all the roads, railroads, housing developments, impassable culverts etc that exist within the floodplain/floodprone zones on all potential habitat. 2) Stop diversion of water used for farming. (Agriculture uses by far the most water). 3) Remove cattle from riparian areas. 4) Reduce/eliminate indiscriminate/illegal catch in our oceans. 5) Rehabilitate all man caused non-functional streams (straightened channels, unstable channels, etc).

[@joebrenner4428]

Lowclass fake fish mongers.

[@joebrenner4428]

a person who promotes a specified activity, situation, or feeling, especially one that is undesirable or discreditable.

[@scotth364]

So do all this removal and go back to no dams, yields no electricity thus a lower lifestyle, go ahead you first, let me know how that goes. Progress will happen live with it

[@pdxmix]

I keep sharing this but it goes private. Is there an issue with people reporting it, or what’s the deal?

[@lucasholmgrenmusic]

Where are you seeing it going private?

[@pdxmix]

@@lucasholmgrenmusic The last couple times it was uploaded

[@lucasholmgrenmusic]

@@pdxmix it should be good to go now. Share this latest version - thanks!

[@speedbird1598]

Would love to read the studies cited

[@RobertHughes-jc3lg]

Talked to a fish biologist. He said hatchery fish that do naturally spawn produce young that are wild fish because they are born in the river and survive on their own. Wild fish and native fish are not the same in terms of genetics.

[@allancrow134]

Hatcheries are a stop-gap to the decline of wild fish. Where I live on Vancouver Island predation by the more than tenfold increase in the seal and sea lion populations is taking its toll. Steelhead are particularly vulnerable to pinniped predation because of their run timing and smaller run size.

[@thehoundGOT]

Not enough sharks I reckon

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

In future hatcheries, we will not be able to genetically discern any difference from wild and hatchery stocks. Nor will there be any difference in behavior which is critical to survival. How do we know? Two reasons: 1) there are innovators in the world who will always embrace such challenges 2) we are working on a new style of natural hatchery that will both produce wild type fish and produce more fish than the current hatchery system. We will keep you posted of the progress. Many of you will be involved.

[@strophish]

When?

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

@@strophish We are not a big company with a huge research budget. These things evolve one client at a time. Our first generations are under construction. We will know a lot more within two years. Helping us find more clients who want a 15 foot or wider stream to fish and float helps us accelerate our learning and benefit to the species.

[@joebrenner4428]

Why don't you understand that you are not creating any biomass and in essence only clipping the fins on wild fish.You are going to have a really tough time controlling ocean conditions and their ocean food species.You are merely trying to funnel fish into your pockets.

[@joebrenner4428]

The 4 dams on the Klamath are coming down this next year.380 miles of old river opened back up.The Klamath was the 3rd best river on the west coast and may one day have more steelhead and chinook than the whole Columbia and I haven't heard you morons mention a word about it yet.Your only solution to everything is more hatchery fish and you tards are obsessed with them.

[@joebrenner4428]

How do I the government to pay to have fish swim into my backyard and jump in my boat?

[@thomassmestead9905]

After over 100 years of hatchery operation, I have to question whether their ARE genitically distinct populations of 'wild' fish and hatchery produced salmon. Why? Because 'wild' and hatchery fish DO interbreed, and HAVE interbred, over the span of years since hatcheries came into existence. Essentially, they are the same fish because of this ability to interbreed. Add to that, the fact that in the early period of hatchery operation, stocks from diverse watersheds were intermingled, to provide breeding stock in hatcheries, because in that period of time it was not known that each race of salmon were genetically specific to the waters from which they were derived. So at the beginning of hatchery supplementation, it was already a jumble, and trying to differentiate 'hatchery' fish, from 'native, or wild' fish, is pretty much a fools errand. But one that through the 'management' departments, (with the exception of Alaska Fish and Game ) has been sold to the public, through the press, ( and we all know how honest those people are).

[@mavv997]

No such thing as wild fish in Northwest. Satsop river has been practicing this for many years, "Don't clip that one its wild"🤣

[@joebrenner4428]

Why do you think that's a good excuse?

[@mavv997]

@@joebrenner4428 take your meds

[@joebrenner4428]

@@mavv997 I'm not the one begging for fish flavored fake government cheese.I don't need them.

[@LarryBlue55]

I think there are solutions to plant reds in creeks that still has water flowing and transplant from hatcheries to the creeks.

[@timberframedesign]

Hatcheries are NOT the Enemy!

[@michaelsw0rd]

Can you turn on comments on your video about how patagonias artifishal got it all wrong. I think its inappropriate to have such a bold claim about a conservation group and not allow any discussion of viewpoints in the comment section.

[@donmichaelnew]

Not sure how Comments got turned off. Working with YT to reconnect. Watch the video and you will understand that we DID NOT make a bold claim. Patagonia is a very good outdoor clothing company that produced an extremely misguided film.

[@jero1918]

Thank you so much!!!

[@aidanwoods3370]

Hatchery winter steelhead are a terrible investment for states they have poor meat quality a short catching window, and most of all they greatly hinder wild winter steelhead populations. We should be raising more hatchery summer steelhead (skamania strain) since they are much better table fair and don’t impact wild steelhead nearly as much as their winter counterparts. It’s sad to see so many fisherman being greedy and wanting massive hatchery plants on every river instead of what’s better for wild fish.

[@pancakeface5717]

We need a holistic approach and total commitment to salmon survival. Death by a thousand cuts should be turned on its head and made survival by every means possible. Hatcheries can be one of the principle means. But we can't allow hatcheries to be an excuse to continue destroying salmon habitat as we have in the past, e.g. justification for building the lower Snake River dams. We've got to get it together. Time is of the essence.

[@thehoundGOT]

I found it disappointing not one person interviewed was representing a group of first nations, just all white folk and most in the recreation and tourism industry so of course they think hatchery fish are great, it gives them job security. I don't think you've answered the question of what is the long term solution. Is adding hatchery fish to these rivers every year/long term actually sustainable...what actions could be taken so that no human intervention is needed to ensure the salmon and steelhead can survive in healthy numbers long term?

[@donmichaelnew]

We tried for over a year to arrange the interview you are suggesting.

[@jimsomerville3924]

Something's better than nothing, and that's hatchery fish. Laws and regulations must comply with the co-existence of hatchery fish, and then probably need to take the hatchery programs out of the state governments' hands. Run them through NGOs, tribes, or private contractors.

[@danm1319]

Good stuff. Save the steelhead!

[@donmichaelnew]

Thank you Dan. Please share. Don New

[@rickiex]

thee biggest contributor to predation and decline of the salmon and steelhead population is humans, and predators. hatcheries offsets the effects of this, and to think if we eliminate hutchies, somehow the population of these fish would sky rocket is beyond me lol

[@davidsalo8397]

More for the "only wild fish" crowd. 6) Reverse Climate Change. What? Reverse Climate Change?? Modeling by Scientists shows the shrinkage of cold water habitats that will astound you. Things will get far worse before they get better. We're "committed" to at least 50 years of additional climate change, even if we as a world stopped emitting green house gases tomorrow. There are more impacts to our aquatic ecosystems than what I mention. But it's time to realize that simple mindsets with simple solutions aren't going to cut it. Hatcheries done right, like the brood stock program in Oregon, can actually play a positive role, given our existing circumstances. The environmental groups that cling to one possible solution remind me of Trump clinging to the flag. Let's have an honest conversation.

[@joebrenner4428]

The broodstock program is better than the old bioengineered hatchery stock but they still aren't doing that well.Almost just clipping the fins on wild fish and trap caught brood are doing much better than angler caught brood.People just don't need to eat steelhead.

[@gregorymilla9213]

More farmer propaganda

[@sixsicxsicks666]

its a lot of white people in this video, where are the indians?

[@TiredAmerican247]

What does race have to do with the cause? Kick rocks.

[@TiredAmerican247]

@@sixsicxsicks666 wow…you sound racist.

[@MyConcreteGuy]

@@TiredAmerican247 guess your not from Washington State. Indians can do things and get it done faster in environmental matters than non-indians. You sure don't want them to be against hatcheries, which I doubt they ever would be. They will be the first allowed to control Pinnipeds over population.

[@TiredAmerican247]

@@MyConcreteGuy Indians here in California don't have that type of pull even though the state is super woke.

[@shaunlehman9158]

They are busy running amazing fisheries on the OP that continue to be productive and produce sustainable quality fish year after year.. maybe WDFW should ask for help instead of doing opposite every chance they get

[@donaldcarlson-dr8tw]

I have watched the rivers in the Sacramento valley for 35 yrs and they [the Sacramento/Feather /American / Yuba ... etc and they are die ing rivers in my opinion but... the American was a thriving river because they maintained the current and temperature throughout the year and now that the gubmint stopped fishing in the BASIN and is trying to make a ladder to upstream then it will help but it may take years as they the gubmint still allow SEALIONS to take salmon and steelhead at the hatchery and the face of the damm NIMBUS ...WITHOUT STOPPING THEM! THIS NEEDS TO STOP ! also steelhead fishing in these rivers need to be catch and release and barbless hooks with the upper reatches being flyfishing only /catch/release ! the American river could be turned into a premere river as a trophy fish river as well as the feather ! I remember when we caught spring run silvers and 35 lb chinooks in march and june , silvers in the 6to 8 lb range and also some sea run browns yea searun browns ,back when the men running the hatchery cared and the people made sure the that there was water in the river when the fish were spawning and all year long and the people cleaned up their trash after floating the river ... it is a disgrace to see the amount of trash left in the river at takeout spots on the river DISGRACE! THESE RIVERS ARE A JEWELL running through a million people cities and need to be protected from this behavior ! D W C ...

[@joebrenner4428]

Can you actually claim to be a sportsman while begging for fish flavored fake government cheese at the same time?

[@donmichaelnew]

Care to elaborate? Otherwise I will remove this and file it under "Misc. nut cases"

[@joebrenner4428]

@@donmichaelnew You can always go to the trout farm.They even have handicapped parking.

[@joebrenner4428]

@@donmichaelnew A guy like me just don't need that many fish.

[@joebrenner4428]

@@donmichaelnew I'll let you in on a little secret,go to Lake Erie 50-75 fish every hole.I watched a guy using a red and white plastic bobber yank 6 out in a row then thought "What's the fuckin' point?" then went home.

[@joebrenner4428]

@@donmichaelnew How do I sharpen my skills like this?