As Oregon and Washington state, federal and treaty tribal biologists make substantial improvements in salmon and steelhead hatcheries, others are picking up their banners.

“Hatcheries aren’t perfect, but they’re improving,” said Don New of Lake Oswego. New is a seasoned marketing executive, video and film producer and, now, cheerleader.

He’s is deeply embedded in a relatively recent effort to bolster support for hatcheries through the “Hatchery & Wild Coexist Coalition.”

The coalition’s mission is to not only repair the tarnished reputation of hatcheries, but to take the next step, using localized wild fish to improve hatchery offspring and, thus, keep anglers involved in fisheries management.

Sometime in the next week or two, he’ll help launch a promotion of his new film countering what he and others contend were unfounded and untrue statements made two years ago in a Patagonia film critical of hatchery steelhead.

“Benefishal – Why Patagonia’s ‘Artifishal’ Got it Totally Wrong” aired on YouTube in early April. Despite no promotional effort other than a link on the coalition’s website (https://hatchery-wild-coexist.com/), the film had more than 16,000 views as of this past week, New said.

“People mostly found it organically,” he said. “We haven’t begun the promotions yet.”

It’s hosted by Dave Schamp, chairman of the board for Coastal Conservation Oregon. Schamp uses New’s excellent videos to not only talk about what was wrong with the Patagonia film, but also what’s being done right with various wild broodstock programs that shift emphasis from undiversified and singular genetics spread across a region to basin-specific traits that create far better survival for localized hatchery fish.

Oregon and Washington changes from generic fish to local wild broodstock are yielding widely recognized results.

Patagonia’s film, criticized by scientists, gained 2.5 million views, more than enough Internet ammunition for the anti-hatchery crowd.

And New’s not done with his mission.

His next film, coming sometime this summer, will air facts about genetics, mitigation, broodstock programs and tribal hatchery improvements. It also will point out the financial benefits of healthy sport fisheries for local economies.

New, ever the optimist, said he’s encouraged and inspired by the first sentence of the coalition’s mission:

Hatchery & Wild Coexist is a campaign highlighting the importance of fish hatcheries and the role they play in wild fish recovery and providing abundant fisheries.”

SHORT CASTS

Hunting tag deadline: The application deadline for fall controlled hunt tags in Oregon is May 15. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is cautioning hunters that since that day falls on a Saturday this year, no one will be available at headquarters to assist with last-minute problems, so earlier applications are advised. Several changes in controlled hunts are listed in a news release on the department’s Web site. They include controlled hunt status for all eastern Oregon deer bow hunts.

Razor clams: Portions of the south Oregon Coast have reopened to razor clam digging, but the honey hole on Clatsop beaches remains closed. The good news is that domoic acid levels are steadily abating. The last tests on Clatsop showed domoic acid at 47 parts per million on April 30. The state requires two consecutive tests of 20 parts per million to reopen digging. The next test will be Monday.

Two rods on upper Willamette River: Anglers who buy a two-rod validation can use it to fish for all species except sturgeon above Willamette Falls, including all tributaries when they’re open for specific fisheries. The rule expires Aug. 15.

Summer steelhead rules: Oregon has announced restrictive summer steelhead seasons on the Columbia River and thermal sanctuaries this summer and fall. From June 16 to July 31, summer steelhead fishing is allowed from the Astoria/Megler Bridge to U.S. 395 Bridge in Pasco, Washington, with a daily bag limit of one hatchery steelhead. The river then closes to steelhead below The Dalles Dam until Nov. 1. From The Dalles Dam to the U.S. 395 Bridge in Pasco, steelhead fishing is allowed Aug. 1 to 31, then closes for the year. Several thermal sanctuaries will be in place with additional angling restrictions, including portions of the lower Deschutes and John Day rivers.

Paper tags: Not all license outlets are accepting paper angling tags issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, the information is still valued by department biologists and the tags should be either turned in to a vendor who will send them in or mailed to department headquarters or any regional office.

Ocean fishing: Halibut seasons have begun along the Oregon Coast, and this week the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the reduction of the daily bag limit of bottomfish from six to five.

— Bill Monroe for The Oregonian/OregonLive

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