Hatchery vs. Wild Salmon Controversy Continue, March 17

A federal judge in Portland has ordered the National Marine Fishery Service (NMFS) to release fewer young Salmon into the Sandy River in Oregon this year to ensure that hatchery raised Salmon do not harm wild Salmon.  Judge Ancer Haggerty issued the order Friday, March 14, in Portland.  Under the ruling, the NMFS can release no more than 200,000 smolts into the river, 100,000 less than what was planned.  The lawsuit seeking the reduction was filed by two Oregon non-profit groups, including the Oregon City-based Native Fish Society.  They claim hatchery fish are straying in too-large numbers into wild fish habitat and interbreeding with wild fish, thus harming the population of wild fish.