ORS 508.718 Program for protecting natural runs and genetic diversity of anadromous fish stocks; rules; findings

The Legislative Assembly finds that protecting the natural runs and genetic diversity of anadromous fish is essential to the long-term health of Oregon’s natural resources and sport and commercial fisheries.

Not later than January 1, 1990, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife shall:

Develop and implement monitoring programs, consistent with ORS 508.715 (8) at a minimum level necessary to determine the proportion of straying of hatchery fish into the spawning beds of natural and hatchery produced native stocks of salmon.

Utilizing the best available scientific evidence, adopt rules, after public hearing, that determine the proportion of straying that by indicator stock is likely to cause deterioration of the genetic diversity and habitat necessary to maintain long-term species viability or that causes a deterioration of natural or native stocks of salmon.

The Legislative Assembly further finds that private hatcheries are a significant part of Oregon’s salmon resource and that the Legislative Assembly relies on the State Fish and Wildlife Commission to monitor and regulate private hatcheries in a way that will optimize their long-term contribution to Oregon’s salmon resource in conformity with the findings under subsection (1) of this section.