Current Management Plans

Management Plans 

Historically, the management of PNW salmon has focused on four approaches. (1) Maintain production in freshwater hatcheries; (2) Modify certain stream habitats with fences, log weirs and other structures; (3) Provide minimum stream flows; and (4) Reduction of harvest rates. Unfortunately, these strategies have only been moderately effective and degradation of the watershed and freshwater ecosystems has continued to decline.



In addition to the strategies mentioned above, salmon  farms or salmon hatcheries have also been used as way to supplement and subsidize salmon demands. This technique has been sort of a contentious issue and has had both positive and negative effects on salmon populations for various reasons previously mentioned,

The removal of dams has also been a way of attempting to restore ecosystems. Listed under the "threats to salmon populations" tab explains why dams are deleterious to salmon populations. Removing out-dated, dangerous or ecologically damaging dams has a beneficial effect on many natural ecosystems and in many cases has helped restore habitats.

 White River Salmon Dam removal time-lapse.

Management plans currently exist and attempt to restore ecosystems by other means. Removal of invasive's, purification of previously polluted waterways and other active management strategies make use of volunteers and paid employees alike with one common goal in mind, to save our salmon friends. To date, over 4 billion has been spent on conservation management for salmon*.

 Lower Columbia River watershed recovery.

References:

* Scheuerell, M.2011. An overview of salmon conservation issues of the Pacific Northwest- NOAA Fisheries Services