What does success look like for Canada’s Salmonid Enhancement Program?

ABSTRACT Canada’s Salmonid Enhancement Program in British Columbia began in 1977 and is currently managed under several defined objectives. Hatchery operations are based on best available knowledge at the time; however, assumptions beyond that knowledge can lead to undesired biological and economic outcomes, illustrating the importance of evolving practices alongside scientific understanding. Despite this, there is a preponderance in the published literature focusing on the negative implications of hatchery practices. We explore case studies that highlight success at various scales within the program. Collectively, we identify key underlying themes of success across the examples: data and monitoring, scientific legitimacy, a multipronged approach, and collaboration. We also explore the prerequisite for smaller-scale successes in the achievement of the program’s larger goals and agree with previous work illustrating that these smaller successes are essential in the pursuit of overall success. It is not our intent to refute conclusions of published work illustrating hatcheries’ negative impacts but to broaden the conversation on the use of hatcheries as a tool in Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. management. Learning is an iterative process that results from both failures and successes, and documentation of both is necessary. We hope this work will aid continued improvements in salmonid management practices and decision-making processes by incorporating the identified underlying themes of success into future program planning.