Cowlitz Hatchery Program Evaluation PDF Download

The salmon hatchery program in Alaska is governed by policies, plans, and regulations that emphasize protection of wild salmon stocks. A rotational series of hatchery evaluations will examine each hatchery for consistency with those policies and prescribed management practices. The evaluation includes a review of hatchery management plans and permits, an assessment of each hatchery program's consistency with statewide policies, and recommendations to address any deficiencies found. Management plans and permits were examined to determine whether they were current, consistent with each other, and accurately described hatchery operations. This report reviews the Hidden Falls Hatchery located in Chatham Strait in Southeast Alaska. The hatchery was constructed in 1981 by the State of Alaska, which retains ownership of the facility. The hatchery produces chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta for commercial harvest, and coho salmon O. kisutch and Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha for sport and commercial harvest. The facility releases juveniles from the hatchery and other release sites. All chum salmon incubated at Hidden Falls Hatchery are thermal otolith-marked by release site. A portion of the coho and Chinook salmon releases are marked with coded wire tags. Fish are sampled weekly in the commercial fisheries to assess hatchery contribution. Spawning escapement goals for naturally spawning salmon stocks in systems near the hatchery and release sites have been met in most years of hatchery returns. The basic management plan for the hatchery should be updated with a description of current permit conditions and operations.