if they put even 5% of the cash theyd dropped on atlantics into steelhead wed have a great fishery and wouldn't be saying where are the fish. once atlantics start being stocked in the ganny steelhead will be forgotten about. It seems they only want to drop money on atlantics and lakers because they are native to the great lakes, steelhead, browns coho Chinook and pink are all introduced species so no one seems to care about them anymore. all you have to do is look at the US steelhead where they stock heavily have great returns and can support a put and take fishery. The amount of fisherman taking fish for meat and eggs is massive compared to the 80s and 90s where they was less pressure and more fish.
If you support the atlantic program you need to give your head a shake and look deeper into what is really happening to our fragile fishery.
Darrin
atlantics did not become extinct because of species introduction, Its because of pollution, de forestation and high water temperatures. Sure the lake is a bit less polluted but headwaters and lower sections are urbanized water temperatures remain high, no trees for shade or bank stabilization. Why would they make a comeback under basically the same conditions in which they became extinct
I understand what you are saying, but realize that the Atlantic program has benefits for all migratory fish, not just salmon. If it weren't for the "bring back the salmon" program, there would be little to no funding for things like habitat restoration or fish counting technology. These next few years will be the last attempt to restore the Atlantic fishery, but steelhead, browns and coho/chinook will continue to benefit long after it's over. Maybe then they will start to put more resources into the next best thing -- trout!
I like to look at the glass as half full