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Dispelling Some Myths about Hatcheries
Author(s) -
Waples Robin S.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(1999)024<0012:dsmah>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - mythology , context (archaeology) , hatchery , fish <actinopterygii> , risk analysis (engineering) , business , fish hatchery , fishery , biology , aquaculture , history , fish farming , classics , paleontology
Contributing to the controversies that have surrounded fish hatcheries in recent years are a number of misconceptions or myths about hatcheries and their effects on natural populations. These myths impede productive dialogue among those with differing views about hatcheries. Most of the myths include a measure of truth, which makes it difficult to recognize the elements that are not true. Consideration of these myths leads to the following conclusions: (1) Hatcheries are intrinsically neither good nor bad—their value can be determined only in the context of clearly defined goals; (2) genetic changes in cultured populations can be reduced but not eliminated entirely; (3) empirical evidence exists of many adverse effects of hatcheries, but some risks have been overstated; and (4) monitoring and evaluation programs are important but should not be used as a substitute for developing risk‐averse hatchery programs in the first place. A key step in resolving some of the controversies will be moving toward agreement on a common version (rather than two or more separate versions) of the realities about hatcheries. More efforts are needed in four major areas: identifying goals, conducting overall cost:benefit analyses to guide policy decisions, improving the information base, and dealing with uncertainty.