Lichatowich, Jim. “Salmon Hatcheries: Past, Present and Future.” Prepared for Oregon Business Council by Jim Lichatowich, Alder Fork Consulting. (reviewed by Kara Wendel)
Summary:
As related in the introduction section of this document, the existence and roles of salmon hatcheries have generally been publicly accepted, and in most cases celebrated as a component for mitigation with regards to the declining salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest. However, as this long-held belief in the inherent benefit of these hatcheries begins to be more closely scrutinized, a more well-rounded view of the benefits, possible benefits, and most importantly, the failings of salmon hatcheries comes in to focus. As the author Jim Lichatowich states, “The purpose of this report is to provide background information on hatcheries in a non-technical format that will clarify some of the concerns and answers some of the questions”(2).
After the introduction section, Lichatowich creates a section that outlines the historical background of the institution of artificial propagation of fish and the more recent tradition of fish hatcheries. He describes the last 160 years in which fish hatcheries have been used to enlarge fish populations. An interesting aspect of this section is the link that the author makes between fish hatcheries, and the public support of them, and agriculture. As Lichatowich relates, “Early proponents of artificial propagation of fishes compared hatcheries to farms. The comparison with farms gave hatcheries instant success by analogy. Agriculture had increased production of human foods so it was natural to conclude that fish farms (hatcheries) would increase the production of fish”(3). This line of reasoning leads to another misconception related to salmon hatcheries; the common belief that introduction of hatchery fish into the wild somehow makes up for the loss of habitat that have caused initial declines.
Next Lichatowich provides a chart that compares the numbers of hatchery fish and wild fish by percentage, by river, between the years 1992-1998. Following the chart is a section, entitled “Hatchery Evaluations,” which details one of the major failings of the hatchery system; the hatcheries failure to complete the process it begins. As Lichatowich relates, hatcheries have two goals; they must put forth healthy fish within the hatchery and its specific environment, and these same fish need to be healthy and beneficial outside the hatchery. The problem that Lichatowich identifies is that this second “goal” is often forgotten in reaching the first. Lichatowich cites four risks that result from “heavy reliance” on such domesticated fish populations from hatcheries as catastrophic loss, loss of diversity, cost, and loss of genetic diversity.
The next section discusses the current five basic types/goals of hatchery programs as, mitigation, harvest, supplementation, restoration, and conservation. Lichatowich describes each in its own paragraph. He relates that the majority of the salmon hatcheries in Oregon operate under the idea of mitigation. In this section, Lichatowich also discusses ecological consequences of the general failure to properly integrate natural and hatchery fish.
The final section of the document, which is followed by a three-page works cited page and a brief glossary section, examines the future role of hatchery reform. It highlights the need for hatchery reform, evaluation, and proper integration of hatchery fish with natural ecosystems. The ultimate conclusion that Lichatowich makes based on these factors is that there is a serious problem with fish hatchery management that needs to be addressed and that salmon hatchery reform needs to occur. He is not asserting that artificial propagation of fish and the introduction of these hatchery fish into the wild is an inherently “bad” mitigation scheme, however he is saying that it is one that needs to be closely monitored with the wild salmon populations and habitats in mind.
Critique:
I feel that it is easy to hear the word mitigation and assume that any program associated with the idea of mitigation is beneficial. What this source points out is that even the mitigation strategies that are developed need to be questioned, examined, and, as in this case, they might need to be reformed.
What this source did that was helpful was that it identified the problem with fish hatcheries on a management level, and identified areas of mitigation, for current mitigation. Lichatowich is not calling for the end of salmon hatcheries; he sees the benefits that could ultimately come from them if they were to be properly managed and understood. Salmon hatcheries and the science of artificial propagation have been around for many years, and because of the idea of mitigation that they exude, many aspects of hatcheries and artificial propagation have been allowed to slip through the cracks.
Lichatowich writes for a lay reader making his material easy to follow and the logic behind his conclusions understandable. I found his breakdown of the types of hatcheries helpful as well as his discussion of the historical path of salmon hatcheries.
The only aspect of this source that I wish had been included would be an official set of legal standards that hatcheries would need to uphold and the legal consequences that would result from a hatchery's failure to follow them. Lichatowich repeatedly stresses the need for reform, but never discusses who will keep the hatcheries accountable throughout the reform process. Furthermore, as reform occurs, what are the timetables and the finances involved? Lichatowich states that much of the salmon management and recovery budget goes to hatcheries, so it would be helpful to see where this money is currently going within hatcheries, and where it could go to improve the current hatchery operations. Obviously money is a key issue in any situation like this, and a financial breakdown would be helpful in mapping out the future of fish hatcheries.
Robert D. Clark Honors College, University of Oregon
HC 441: Science Colloquium, Columbia River Ecology
Fall term, 2005
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