Officials eye improving fall chinook runs

LEWISTON, Idaho — Officials at the fisheries division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are working on a long-range plan that could lead to delisting fall chinook in the Snake River.

The Lewiston Tribune reported that officials for the first time are setting down precise standards that must be met for the fish to be taken off the endangered species list.

But officials say it’s a long process with many hurdles.

“We are running some scenarios trying to get a sense of timing of when there could be delisting,” said Elizabeth Gaar, senior policy adviser for NOAA Fisheries at Portland.

The decision will take into account wild fish abundance as well as their distribution, genetic diversity and distribution.

Officials are predicting more than 47,000 fall chinook could return past Lower Granite Dam this year, and that more than 34,000 of those could be wild fish.

Billy Connor, a fisheries biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wild Service, said cooperation among several states, federal agencies, the Nez Perce Tribe and Idaho Power in such areas as habitat work and dam passage are part of the reason for the increase in fall chinook.

He also says healthy ocean conditions could be playing a role.

“We have incredible cooperation within our extended family,” he said. “It’s all coming together and it’s important to recognize the work done in hatcheries and harvest, and improvements in passage, and climate conditions have been in our favor. It’s a fascinating story. I think it’s pretty safe at this point to call it a success story.”

Officials in Idaho are even seeking permission to allow anglers to keep wild fish. Typically, wild fish must be released unharmed to make sure they produce offspring.

Glen Mendel, district fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at Dayton, said many fisheries managers want to see how many fall chinook return when ocean conditions aren’t as favorable.

“It’s really nice to see this big bump right now, but if ocean conditions turn poor again we may see a substantial decline,” he said. “We are going to have to wait and see and get more years of information.”

Becky Johnson, director of fish production for the Nez Perce Tribe, said hatchery fish have been released from a number of sites with the goal of having them spawn in the wild.

“It’s not just a concrete to concrete program,” said Johnson. “We release fish in the habitat throughout the basin, so when they come back, if they are not caught, they spawn in nature.”

She said that on some fall chinook spawning grounds, 70 percent of the fish have been hatchery fish.

But the number of wild fish will be a key factor when it comes to removing fall chinook from protected status.

“There is a high proportion of hatchery-origin fish right now,” Gaar said. “Over the last 10 years, on average, the hatchery-origin returns have made up over 70 percent of fall chinook that pass on to natural spawning reaches. It’s hard to truly evaluate how the wild population is doing. Is it really increasing if most of the fish are coming from a hatchery?”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.