Is DFG meeting production goals for both mitigation and enhancement for Chinook salmon?
DFG Central Valley Hatcheries have achieved overall mitigation goals in eight of the last ten years and mitigation plus enhancement goals in six of the last 10 years. The Central Valley hatcheries have released over 30 million young salmon the last ten years. Each hatchery has specific goals. State and the Federal (Coleman Hatchery) hatcheries work to make to meet the overall goal. State hatcheries are expected to release 18.6 million smolts this year and Coleman is shooting for 12 million plus. Here is a breakdown by hatchery: • Feather River and Nimbus Hatcheries are on line to meet both mitigation and enhancement goals for 2009. • Due to reduced run size, Mokelumne River Hatchery will only reach 75 – 80 percent of its goal and Merced River only approximately 15 percent of its goal.
