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We're on a mission to restore Case Inlet’s salmon population to benefit its natural and economic ecosystems, including orcas, tribes, fishermen, local communities and businesses.

Case Inlet Fisheries Update
Spring 2022
Published by the SMJ

Case Inlet Fisheries Update
Summer 2022
Published by the SMJ

Case Inlet Fisheries Update
Spring 2023
Published by the SMJ

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THE OPPORTUNITY

THE GREAT SALMON HIGHWAY

Today salmon returning to the south Puget Sound create livelihood for all communities along its course from the Straight of Juan de Fuca to Olympia.

Tribes and communities along the entire Great Salmon Highway will benefit from salmon released in Case Inlet.

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The endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales will also benefit as these returning salmon travel the waters of the Puget Sound to the furthest reaches of Case Inlet.

The Opportunity

WHAT WE'VE LEARNED SO FAR

  • It is critical that we develop a strong partnership with the Squaxin Island Tribe in order to succeed.
     

  • Coulter Creek Hatchery

    • The Coulter Creek Hatchery was built the WDFW as a Chum rearing facility in 1980.
       

    • By 1990 the Chum program was deemed successful, and the hatchery began raising and releasing Chinook stock.
       

    • From 1990 until 2001 they raised 2 million Chinook salmon each year and released 1 million Chinook at the hatchery.
       

    • In 2001 the WDFW made the decision to stop releasing Chinook salmon at the hatchery because of concerns that returning Chinook salmon were impacting the spawning beds of the Chum salmon.
       

    • We do not know is any effort was made to implement a barrier or weir to prevent the hatchery Chinook from entering Coulter Creek.
       

    • Today the hatchery continues to operate and raises 2 million Chinook salmon each spring but all of these fish are trucked to the Tumwater hatchery where they are acclimated, released and ultimately return.
       

  • The WDFW has indicated that they are interested in looking at options to help restore Chinook salmon in Case Inlet.
     

  • Local community members are very interested in the Task Force work.

Image by Darren Halstead
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COMPLETING THE GREAT SALMON HIGHWAY

Rearing and releasing Chinook Salmon from the Coulter Creek hatchery or in the North Bay restores a vital part of the Great Salmon Highway (see green route on map) and utilizes the productive waters of Case Inlet to support migrating salmon on their journey to and from the sea.

About
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ABOUT US

ORIGINS

Since 2021

  • The Case Inlet Fisheries Task Force was formalized by a joint resolution from the Port of Grapeview and the Port of Allyn.

  • Commissioner Art Whitson represents the Port of Grapeview on the Task Force

  • Commissioner Ted Jackson represents the Port of Allyn

  • Brad Pomroy is the Task Force Facilitator

MEMBERS

Get in touch with us about membership openings.

  • Art Whitson - Port of Grapeview Commissioner, District 1

  • Ted Jackson - Port of Allyn Commissioner, District 2

  • Brad Pomroy - Group Facilitator

  • Bob Pastore – Communications

  • Mark LaRiviere - Biologist Advisor

  • Jim Hanson – Advisor

  • Thom Worlund – Education Advisor 

  • Phil Wolff - Advisor

OBJECTIVES

  • Work with the WDFW to resume the release of Chinook salmon from the Coulter Creek Hatchery beginning in 2024
     

  • Develop a partnership with the Squaxin Island Tribe to help them achieve their objectives including the completion of the Tumwater facility
     

  • Gain support from the WDFW to create an investment strategy to maintain and potentially expand the Coulter Creek facility

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  • Work with the WDFW and Squaxin Island Tribe to investigate the feasibility of installing rearing net pens in the North Bay 
     

  • Engage community members to participate in our work and to build a volunteer base to support the Coulter Creek hatchery.

DESIRED OUTCOMES

  • Provide a critical food source for the Southern Resident Killer Whales throughout their entire range
     

  • Increase fishing opportunities for Tribal and sports fisherman along the entire great salmon highway from the Straights of Juan de Fuca to the deep south sound
     

  • Create jobs and have a positive economic impacts for the communities all along the great salmon highway, including the rural communities surrounding Case Inlet
     

  • Increased revenue for the small Ports of Allyn and Grapeview
     

  • Support a sustainable fishery while relieving pressure on stocks of native fish
     

  • Continuing traditions of fishing families to allow them to share the gift with their children and grandchildren
     

  • Provide ecosystem benefits such as marine nutrient transfer
     

  • Create opportunities for schools to educate their students on the importance of salmon to our history and ecosystem

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