Coho Conservation Hatchery Operation - Hoopa Reservation

Hoopa has had a hatchery on multiple occasions in the past. The first was established in the late 1800’s as part of the actions when the military was present at Fort Gaston. More recently a facility was on the fisheries department grounds and was operated by the BIA in the 1980s and early 90’s. Over the last four years the Hoopa Fisheries Department has revamped the dilapidated facility as a conservation hatchery and acquired the needed environmental coverage to raise and release Coho Salmon. The rehabilitation of the buildings and facilities were covered by grants and we have managed to obtain additional funds for expanding and improving the infrastructure, however the operation and maintenance funds have not been as easy to come by. This project would fund that operation and maintenance including staff time to sort and pick eggs, feed the fish as they are raised to release size, treat them for any diseases in advance of their release, transportation to the release and holding points hear the headwaters of the streams, as well as general supplies like food, medicine, coded wire tags, and holding pens. All released fish are marked and receive an adipose fin clip so we can differentiate them no only from wild produced stocks but also fish from other hatcheries.

Project Benefits: SONCC are identified in the Recovery Plan as being at high risk of extinction. In addition to restoration of tributary habitat for both natal and non-natal fishes, which has taken place over the last 10 years we need to reestablish viable populations of natal Coho salmon.

Project Objective: To reestablish and bolster Coho salmon populations in Lower Trinity River tributaries that have been in severe decline and no longer get adequate returns to be self sustaining. This project will utilize out planting of coho fry above the extent of anadromy.