A benefits approach to voluntary salmon hatcheries

Voluntary hatcheries, or hatcheries operated privately by local anglers and fishery owners, are a historical part of salmonid conservation and enhancement efforts in Europe. However, these types of hatcheries have faced... [ view full abstract ]

Voluntary hatcheries, or hatcheries operated privately by local anglers and fishery owners, are a historical part of salmonid conservation and enhancement efforts in Europe. However, these types of hatcheries have faced increasing scrutiny over the last several decades because of the potential negative ecological impacts created by stocking salmon into wild (albeit declining) populations. We hypothesized that hatchery programs provide value to communities well beyond the possible conservation contribution to local salmon. Utilizing a qualitative ethnographic approach, we identified and classified a range of benefits produced by voluntary salmon hatcheries within three case studies in Norway, Wales, and Germany. Across all cases, voluntary hatcheries facilitated or provided diverse social, psychological, and conservation benefits to individuals and groups of cultivators, as well as to the river environment. Voluntary hatcheries can be considered as a visible means of environmental stewardship and are perceived by many operators as an important means for mitigating human obstacles to wild salmon conservation. Based on the multiple benefits that voluntary hatcheries create for the people engaged in hatchery activities, we lay out alternative views that add to the traditionally black-and-white, pro or anti-hatchery perspectives. Improved incorporation of multiple social-psychological hatchery benefits into future fisheries management decisions, outreach, and communication will provide a more holistic approach to sustainable hatchery management, reduce stakeholder conflict, foster civil engagement in salmon conservation, and enhance environmental stewardship.