HATCHERY IMPACTS ON WILD STEELHEAD: SOME OF THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE ISSUE

Trotter, Pat. 1994. Steelhead Fly Fishing Journal. Frank Amato Publications. Summer 1994.

The author reviews the scientific literature dealing with the impacts of hatchery fish and wild native fish. This review focuses on genetic and behavioral impacts. A reading list is suggested. This is a very easily read article that debugs the technical literature for the non-scientist.

The author’s conclusions are borrowed proudly from Robin Waples: ...two things should be clear: (1) hatchery fish can have substantial direct and indirect impacts on wild fish, and (2) the only sure way to avoid these problems is to just say No- to stock transfers, supplementation, and production hatcheries of any kind.