Salmon Hall of Fame
Talking points on WDFW's role regarding wild salmon
prepared by Dr. Jeff Koenings, WDFW Director
October 4, 2003

• It's an honor to be here today with so many of my friends and colleagues. We're here today because of our single-minded, unwavering commitment to protect and rebuild native wild salmon populations throughout Washington state.

• It's become somewhat fashionable these days, or so it seems, to have gatherings of one sort or another to pay tribute to those involved in salmon-recovery efforts. And rightfully so!

• Yet our gathering tonight is unique. We're here to honor the people who were working hard on salmon restoration efforts when that kind of work wasn't garnering front-page attention. They are the true pioneers of salmon restoration who took that work on through an ethic of personal responsibility!

• And they just weren't working on placing large woody debris in streams or helping with salmon broodstock collection projects. They were also working on communication and education projects to help spread the word about the importance of the "boots in the stream" efforts.

• They were capturing the vitality and essence and importance of salmon through art, be it the written word or some other medium.

• As you all know, the task of restoring this state's wild salmon populations is a huge undertaking that involves a tremendous number of public agencies, governments, private citizens and others.

• I've often said that the decline of wild salmon runs took decades to "accomplish" through a multitude of misdeeds, through public policy choices and just plain neglect. Salmon were treated like an inexhaustible resource.

• Just as it took decades to bring many wild salmon populations to the brink, so too will it take decades of hard, organized work to restore wild salmon populations to their past robust state.

• Obviously, the framework for that recovery is well under way. Habitat restoration efforts are beginning to heal the landscape. Fisheries that are selective for hatchery and healthy wild stocks have become a reality. Hatchery reforms are moving forward. And ocean survival conditions have improved tremendously in recent years, giving our collective efforts a jumpstart. We are now helping not hindering "Mother Nature".

• Now, more than ever, the co-managers are confident in our ability to have economically and culturally important fisheries without negatively affecting weak-stock rebuilding efforts.

• And, thanks in no small measure to the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups, we're finally beginning to make progress on wild salmon habitat restoration as well as supplementation projects.

• The Regional Fish Enhancement Groups throughout Washington State are truly the longest standing "back bone" in the effort to restore wild fish stocks. Their dedication and work ethic is a model worthy of emulation. That includes Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group.

• And while each and every member of the RFEG has earned our deepest appreciation for all of the work they've done, no one deserves more thanks than Al Adams.

• Al's dedication to wild salmon restoration is one of legend in the world of salmon restoration. His hands-on approach to restoration projects, his enthusiasm when giving a watershed tour, and his exquisite salmon carvings all speak toward Al's commitment to bringing wild salmon back.

• It's tough to get some people focused on the plight of salmon these days. Our state's economic troubles, homeland security, conflicts overseas and any number of other issues usually take precedent over salmon and salmon restoration issues.

• The Pacific Northwest Salmon Center is of vital importance in the ongoing effort to further our knowledge about wild salmon ecology and therefore what's then necessary for their recovery.

• The center will provide a place for education, interpretation and discussion about wild salmon and ecosystem health. Think of it as a focal point or ground zero for illustrating the biological, cultural, spiritual and economic importance of wild salmon throughout our state.

• Education is just as important in restoring salmon as the actual "in-the-stream" restoration work. The more people understand the vital role that salmon play in all of our lives, the more energized they will be to take an active role in recovery efforts.

• Wild salmon restoration makes sense on many levels! As a biologist, I understand the valuable role that healthy wild salmon populations play in both marine and freshwater ecosystems.

• As the Director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, I appreciate the importance of protecting and restoring weak wild stocks to fulfill our various management obligations, including those with our co-managers, the treaty Indian tribes.

• And as a successful fisherman, I want healthy wild salmon populations so that I, and future generations, can enjoy one of the great pleasures of living in the Pacific Northwest - occasionally catching a salmon and then eating it with gusto.

• I believe that the creation of a "Wild Salmon Hall of Fame" is a great idea. It's a tremendous way to recognize and honor individuals who have made such important contributions to the ongoing effort of restoring native populations.

• It's also a great way to heighten citizens' awareness of the important restoration work we are all involved in. Maybe it will even encourage more people to get personally involved as all of you here have done.

• I am confident that through the exceptional volunteer efforts such as what we've seen with the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups, progress will continue to be made on this most important task. Yet those groups are built one individual at a time.

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