The Osprey: Native Fish Conservation Areas

 

  • Native Fish Conservation Areas: Sustaining native fish and aquatic ecosystems: by Rick Williams, pp 1, 4-5, Issue No. 60, May 2008. Williams, of U of Idaho and the Federation of Fly Fishers, explains that a growing movement from the FFI and other conservationists focuses on establishing native fish conservation areas. These would ensure the maintenance and restoration of natural watershed processes and its native organisms and be built on partnerships with stakeholders. Keywords: Fisheries Conservation Foundation.

  • Editor's Message: Fish Refuges, by Jim Yuskavitch, pg 2, Issue No. 60, May 2008. The Editor explains the excitement that the Osprey has in publishing this article on wild fish refuges, a new idea that the FFI and conservationists hope to make a reality.

  • Chair's Corner: Columbia Dam Woes Continue, by Bill Redman, pg 3 & 23, Issue No. 60, May 2008. Redman explains the federal government reached an agreement with the three Lower Columbia tribes in which the tribes receive $750 million in exchange for withdrawing support for lawsuits against the feds. Unfortunately, writes Redman, the funds focus too heavily on hatcheries and ignore the mainstem passage issues.

  • Wild Steelhead Management Zones: Why we need them and what they should look like, by Nick Gayeski and Ramon Vanden Brulle, pp 6-8, Issue No. 60, May 2008. The WDFW recently proposed "wild stock gene banks" in its recent steelhead management plan. The authors, of the Wild Fish Conservancy, emphasize a greater need for determining wild steelhead productivity, establishing hatchery reference streams, establishing genetic reserves, and evaluating fishery impacts. Keywords: wild steelhead management zones, regional management plans.

  • Above the Dam: Coho salmon colonize Washington's Cedar River, by Joseph Anderson, pp 9-11, Issue No. 60, May 2008. U of WA PhD student Anderson reviews recent colonization recent in Western WA. After providing access to the protected Cedar River watershed with a fish ladder 86 wild coho salmon strayed into the watershed. A nearby source population and healthy watershed offers the most promise for restoration potential. Keywords: Seattle Public Utilities, Rock Creek

  • Our Little River: How a small Oregon river became a wild fish refuge, by Doug Schaad and Conrad Gowell, pp12-15, Issue No. 60, May 2008. Two conservation minded anglers share the history of impacts on wild steelhead in a small and less frequented coastal watershed. While past harvest, hatchery releases and forestry has levied its toll on this river an enduring sanctuary (closed reaches), the ending of harvest and hatchery plantings have provided anecdotal evidence that the health of the wild steelhead has improved. The authors call for continued stewardship. Keywords: spotted owl, marbled murrelet.

  • Wild Salmonid Management Areas: An idea whose time has come? By Curt Kraemer, pp 16-18, Issue No. 60, May 2008. Former WDFW biologist Kraemer discusses the emergence of Wild Salmonid Management Areas and one establishment on part of the Skagit basin. WSMAs aim to cut hatchery/wild interactions and reduce mortality of wild salmonids through changes in hatchery management and fishing regulations. Kraemer argues more public involvement is needed for their expansion into other watersheds.

  • A Skagit River Commentary, by Will Atlas, pp 19-20, Issue No. 60, May 2008. Atlas reflects on the decline of wild steelhead in the Skagit to record low levels. He argues that the release of over 500,000 non-native steelhead smolts annually is the biggest hindrance management has levied on the stock and is a major obstacle towards recovery. Keywords: Sauk, forest practices.

  • Judge Tosses Biological Opinion for Salmon and Steelhead in California, p 20, Issue No. 60, May 2008. Federal Judge Wanger invalidated a proposed water management plan for San Francisco Bay. The pumping of increased water from the Delta would have harmed listed Chinook and steelhead. Keywords: Operating Criteria and Plan,

  • A Copper-Salmon Wilderness: Roadless and wilderness areas as fish refuges, by Mike Beagle, p 21-22, Issue No. 60, May 2008. Beagle, of Trout Unlimited argues for wilderness protection in the Copper-Salmon forest in coastal Oregon. Although a patchwork of federal protections currently exist, recent logging has shown its vulnerability and Beagle has worked with a coalition towards making it a wilderness area. Keywords: Gordon Smith, Ron Wyden, Peter DeFazio, John Kitzhaber, Ted Kulongoski, Port Orford.

 
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