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4. Where information on optimum escapement levels and stock distribution is 

 limited, investments in basic research are needed. Information from such research 

 can aid in managing for optimum levels of fish production and conservation of 

 ecosystem integrity, and identifying management options for reducing interceptions. 

 Unemployed salmon fishermen and their boats could be contracted to assist in this 

 research under the supervision of agency scientists. 



5. Offer to reduce harvests of Canadian sockeye by Washington state fishermen in 

 exchange for a reduction in harvests of U.S.-origin chinook and coho by Canada 

 (the magnitude of the reductions will depend on the relative value of chinook, 

 coho, and sockeye), while retaining restrictions currently in place for US 

 commercial and sport harvests of chinook and coho. Approximately two-thirds of 

 the chinook and one-half of the coho harvested in the WCVI troll fishery are of U.S. 

 origin. Reductions in the harvests of chinook and coho in the WCVI troll fishery 

 would allow increased numbers of threatened Snake River chinook and sensitive 

 chinook and coho populations to spawn, providing scope for rebuilding U.S. 

 populations. Immediate actions to enhance chinook and coho stock rebuilding will 

 benefit U.S. commercial, sport, and tribal fisheries, as well as local and regional 

 communities which have been impacted by depressed salmon populations. 



Other measures are necessary to prevent future conflicts, improve salmon conservation, 

 and increase the economic benefits of the salmon fishery. 



1. Harvest restrictions should be implemented to prevent overexploitation of 

 relatively weak wild populations even when hatchery fish are abundant. Abundant 

 hatchery runs can withstand very high harvest rates. Relatively weak wild populations, 

 which cannot sustain such high harvest rates, mix with hatchery stocks. Hence, harvest 

 must be restricted to protect wild stocks, even when abundant hatchery runs increase 

 pressure to increase harvest rates. Furthermore, interactions between wild fish and 

 hatchery fish pose risks to wild fish genetics, survivorship, and reproduction (Chan and 

 Fujila, 1994b). 



2. Establish abundance-based total allowable catch (TAC) limits, based on 

 conservation goals. Fixed harvest ceilings are an important impediment to 

 conservation goals. The Pacific Salmon Commission's rebuilding program for chinook 

 is based on the premise that fixed harvest ceilings will act in conjunction with 

 increases in chinook abundance to rebuild chinook stocks in the long-term (CTC, 

 1992). However, the rebuilding program has resulted in little progress for many stocks 

 (CTC, 1992). In order to achieve target harvest rate reductions for stocks under the 

 rebuilding program, harvest ceilings must be responsive to changes in stock abundance 

 and productivity (CTC, 1992). In addition, as conflicts over the catch of Canadian- 



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