205. SALMON AND STEELHEAD RESEARCH AND EVALUATION 

 (a) The Problem 



In the past, salmon and steelhead research in the Columbia River Basin has been 

 carried out by numerous federal and state agencies. Indian tribes and utilities, each with its 

 own interests and management objectives. As a result, research in the initial Columbia 

 River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program lacked a systemwide perspective. There was no 

 long-term strategy that set research priorities based on uncertainties associated with long- 

 term production objectives for salmon and steelhead in the basin. There was no system 

 monitoring or evaluation of program measures to assess the effect of management actions 

 and policies. Consequently, there are major gaps in the understanding of upriver Columbia 

 River stocks, their life history patterns and their survival at different points in the life cycle. 

 This Is particularly true of wild and natural stocks. 



Recently, however, negotiations between the numerous federal and state fisheries 

 agencies and the Indian tribes in the Columbia River Basin have resulted in improved 

 coordination and identification of basinwide goals and objectives. Subbasin planning also 

 will improve coordination. As a result, there are new opportunities for making research 

 relevant to management needs and for taking a systemwide perspective on setting 

 priorities. With common biological and system objectives, it is possible to identify 

 immediate short-term research needs and to establish a framework for monitoring and 

 evaluation so that long-term research needs can be assessed on an ongoing basis. 



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