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Lessons from Supplementation of Chinook Salmon in British Columbia
Author(s) -
Winton John,
Hilborn Ray
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8675(1994)014<0001:lfsocs>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - escapement , chinook wind , oncorhynchus , hatchery , fishery , fish hatchery , fish migration , broodstock , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , geography , environmental science , aquaculture , fish farming
Supplementation as used here, is the planting of all life stages of hatchery‐reared fish to increase natural production. Through the Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP). Canada has been experimenting with supplementation strategies at a number of British Columbian hatcheries for the past 15 years to enhance natural populations of anadromous salmon and steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss This report is a short synopsis of the strategies employed and results obtained by four British Columbian hatcheries, two coastal (Snootli Creek and Kitimat) and two interior (Quesnel and Spius Creek), in supplementing Chinook salmon Onchorhynchus tshawytscha The original objective of the report was to ascertain the success of these efforts – as measured by attainment of the program goals of increased harvest and the enhancement. preservation. and rehabilitation of natural stocks in a cost‐effective manner – and to summarize general lessons applicable to many or most other proposed or future supplementation programs. This objective could not be met because, although these four hatcheries have been experimenting with various spawning, rearing, and release strategies, they have never monitored natural stock survival or escapement – nor have any of the other Canadian supplementation hatcheries. Thus, although the hatcheries' direct operating costs to produce each hatchery‐reared Chinook salmon surviving to catch and escapement have been estimated (Can$380 at Quesnel, $47 at Snootli Creek. $85 at Spius Creek, and $45 at Kitimat). the effects of supplementation on the natural stocks. and hence the full costs or benefits of these hatcheries and of the program as a whole, are unknown. From the Canadian experience to date, therefore, it cannot be determined whether or not supplementation is an effective way to enhance natural stocks. Several lessons are to be learned from the SEP experience: these are applicable especially to fisheries managers who are in the process of launching new salmonid supplementation programs in their areas.