THE LATEST NEWS and advice on fly fishing, fly fishing gear, fly fishing trips, and fly fishing books and media.Federal Judge Tosses Out Hatchery Fish Inclusion in ESA Consideration
T. U., FFF and other conservation groups are breathing a sigh of relief after a federal judge in Seattle ruled against a National Marine Fisheries policy that included hatchery-raised fish with wild fish when considering protections for upper Columbia River steelhead. In the judge's words: "'Though it scarcely seems open to debate, the Court concludes that in evaluating any policy or listing determination under the ESA [Endangered Species Act], its pole star must be the viability of naturally self-sustaining populations in their naturally-occurring habitat,' Coughenour wrote. 'To be sure, the inclusion of hatchery fish alongside natural fish ... strikes the Court as odd.'" Alex Fryer in the Seattle Times.
Felicity Barringer also writes about Wednesday's ruling in The New York Times: "'This counting method, the judge, John C. Coughenour, wrote, 'departs from the law’s central purpose, which is to promote and conserve naturally self-sustaining populations.'”
