[env-trinity] Fish numbers also unclear in the Redding article

[Tom Stokely]

All,

The article in the Redding Record Searchlight was quite unclear and confusing on the issue of the TRRP's fishery restoration goals, perhaps not the fault of the reporter.  It said:

"In 2010, the goal was to have 6,000 fish return to the Trinity River. That year, 5,690 fish returned from the ocean, Schrock said. As of Nov. 12, 4,037 fall and spring run Chinook salmon have been counted in traps at the Trinity River Fish Hatchery, according to the California Department of Fish and Game."

The actual fishery restoration goals for the Trinity River Restoration Program are as follows:

Species				In-River Goals		Hatchery Goals			Total

Fall Chinook			62,000				9,000					71,000

Spring Chinook		6,000				3,000					9,000

Coho				1,400				2,100					3,500

Steelhead			40,000				10,000					50,000

I don't know what the total returning numbers of all species were in 2010 (perhaps somebody from DFG can tell us), but if it was only 5,690 total for spring and fall Chinook, the TRRP isn't even close to meeting the combined spring and fall Chinook goal of 80,000 fish.  Enumeration of hatchery and natural spawners would also be useful.  

Obviously, the article also fails to mention that there are also goals for steelhead and Coho (and that little if anything is done by the program to restore those fish that largely spawn in the tributaries).

Tom Stokely
Water Policy Analyst/Media Contact
California Water Impact Network
V/FAX 530-926-9727
Cell 530-524-0315
tstokely at att.net
http://www.c-win.org

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