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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Steelhead science program presented by TU Wednesday

FISHERIES -- A two-hour program on steelhead science will be presented in Spokane by Trout Unlimited on Wednesday, May 11, at Spark Center, 1214 W. Summit Parkway.

In the wake of wild-steelhead-associated lawsuits and controversies that are resulting in curbs on hatchery production and fishing seasons, especially in Western Washington, this may be an educational opportunity worth an angler's time.

The program will revue fisheries science regarding steelhead and the implications of that research for management, recovery and angling opportunity, TU officials say.   

The theme of these presentations focuses on steelhead diversity and will cover a range of issues that generate angler interest.

  • Do you know why steelhead are unique compared to salmon? 
  • Why does one fish becomes a rainbow trout and another a steelhead? 
  • How do hatcheries influence the diversity and what that means for wild and hatchery steelhead? 
  • Are there examples of steelhead recovery, and why did those populations rebound? 

The presenters plant to cover those questions before delving into potential solutions.

A question-and-answer session will follow.

Agenda:

6 p.m.: Opening Remarks and short presentation on TU’s Wild Steelhead Initiative

6:30 – Steelhead: Diversity in Biology – What makes steelhead unique among salmon and how does it help them survive?

7:00 – Understanding Steelhead and Hatcheries – Are there any wild steelhead left, and if so, how can we adapt hatchery practices to secure their future?

7:30 – Break

7:40 – Steelhead and Habitat – What type of habitat restoration do they need, and how it depends on life histories.

8:00 – State of the Science – What new science is out there, and what does it mean to steelhead and anglers?

8:20 –  Populations of Hope – Identifying steelhead populations that are rebounding and why. 

8:45 - Questions



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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