Biologist Bill Matsubu weighs a chinook before an acoustic tag is surgically implanted last month. At right is Joe Smith, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; they’re aboard the research vessel Zephyr.
The public has been called to a meeting to be hosted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in order to provide perspectives on potential release strategies for Chinook salmon from Willapa Bay hatcheries next year.
The meeting, prompted by poor returning runs that resulted in disappointing escapement numbers, will be held in Raymond on Nov. 13. Earlier this year the WDFW ramped up the target for released Chinook smolts from 6.15 million to almost 8.7 million juvenile fish.
At the meeting members of the WDFW will provide updates on the Chinook salmon egg collection totals so far this year at hatcheries buffering Willapa Bay. Those facilities include the Forks Creek, Nemah, and Naselle hatcheries. Based on current hatchery returns the WDFW does not expect they will be able to meet their goals.
“We want to work with the public to determine the best possible release strategy for the Willapa Bay area moving forward,” said Chad Herring, WDFW fish policy lead for the south coast, in a press release.
Additional meetings were previously scheduled for discussions regarding ongoing salmon management policy for Willapa Bay. The next meeting regarding those policies is slated for Nov. 21.
The meeting for Chinook salmon release strategies will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Raymond Elks Lodge.The lodge is located at 326 3rd St., Raymond.
