News & Announcements

Statement from Wild Fish Conservancy and The Conservation Angler on Federal 12-Month Endangered Species Act Finding for Olympic Peninsula Steelhead

Today, federal government issued its 12-month finding on the petition to list Olympic Peninsula steelhead under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA determined that Olympic Peninsula steelhead qualify as a distinct population segment under the ESA and acknowledged long-term population declines, reduced productivity, and substantial uncertainty, but concluded that listing is not warranted at this time.

January 13, 2026 No Comments

News & Announcements

Federal Court Extends Deadline for Endangered Species Act Decision on Olympic Peninsula Steelhead

Contacts: Emma Helverson, Wild Fish Conservancy, 484- 788-1174, emma@wildfishconservancy.orgJohn McMillan, The Conservation Angler, 360-797-3215, john.mcmillan@theconservationangler.orgBrian Knutsen, Kampmeier & Knutsen PLLC, 503-841-6515, brian@kampmeierknutsen.com For Immediate Release

December 11, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

Partnership and Science-Based Planning Lead to Action in Springbrook Creek

When strong partnerships and sound science come together, the path to healthier watersheds becomes possible.

November 21, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

Good Statistics, Flawed System: A Deeper Look at Salmon Management for Oregon Coast Coho

Read Wild Fish Conservancy’s recent comments on the management of Oregon Coast coho salmon.

November 19, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

Protected: Advancing Selective Fishing: An Update on the Skeena River Floating Fish Trap Project

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

November 18, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

Snorkeling for Steelhead: How Immersive Fieldwork Shapes Wild Fish Conservation

After conducting snorkel surveys for more than 25 years, Wild Fish Conservancy has learned a lot about steelhead populations’ status, trends, and the number of hatchery fish that stray into wild rivers.

October 30, 2025 No Comments

Fish Trap Journal

Working Against the Current—A New Experiment Brings Hope for Sustainable Fishing

Earlier this year, Wild Fish Conservancy proudly announced the implementation of Washington’s State’s second commercial fish trap since 1934. The new trap located near Hunting Islands is part of the state’s historic Emerging Commercial Fishery—the first of its kind in nearly a century.

October 20, 2025 No Comments

Fish Trap Journal

Commercial Fish Traps Advance Sustainable Fishing and Wild Fish Recovery in Historic First Year

History continues to be made on the lower Columbia River this month with the first commercial fish traps since 1934 now operating at three sites in Washington and Oregon.

September 19, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

How a Petition to Protect Native Resident Trout from Harvest May Actually Lead to Increased Harvest Opportunities on Vulnerable Populations

Here’s how Wild Fish Conservancy is working to ensure the Washington Fish & Wildlife Department’s Resident Native Trout Harvest Management Policy doesn’t harm imperiled native resident trout.

September 16, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

Our Debt to the River: The Scientific Case Against Industrial Salmon Hatcheries

Anyone who spends time on our rivers understands the profound story they tell—a story of return, resilience, and relationships as old as the mountains. But

September 12, 2025 No Comments

Fish Trap Journal

After Nearly 100 Years, Commercial Fish Traps Make Historic Comeback on the Columbia to Aid Wild Fish Recovery

Nearly a century ago, fish traps were banned in Washington State due to poor management that led to overharvest and the decline of wild salmon populations. Now, in a historic moment, fish traps will return to the Columbia River for the first time since 1934—this time as a tool to advance the protection and recovery of the basin’s threatened wild salmon and steelhead.

August 4, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

Today and Tomorrow, Give Big to Aid Wild Salmon Recovery & Help Commercial Fishers Transition to a Sustainable Future

May 6, 2025 No Comments

Fish Trap Journal

Columbia River Fish Traps Return for the Recovery of Wild Fish and Fishing Economies

Making history this summer season, local fishers will operate fish traps (otherwise known as pound nets) on both shores of the lower Columbia River in

May 5, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

We’re Taking Action to Ensure Wild Fish Receive the Protection They Deserve

Through two significant legal actions, we are holding the federal government accountable for its responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)— one of the most effective tools we have to prevent extinction, but it only works when it’s enforced..

February 13, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

Thanks to you, We Made History for Wild Salmon, Orcas, Tribal Food Security, and the Health of Puget Sound

This week, the WA Board of Natural Resources cast a historic vote to permanently ban commercial net pen aquaculture in Washington marine waters. Washington is the first—and only—place in the world to successfully remove and permanently ban this practice to protect public waters.

January 9, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

SEATTLE TIMES | OPINION: Protect WA’s waters and tribal sovereignty: Ban commercial finfish net-pen aquaculture

On behalf of the Our Sound, Our Salmon we want to extend our sincere appreciation to Chairwoman Frances Charles, Chairman Leonard Forsman, and Chairman Steve Edwards for their inspiring and compelling op-ed in today’s Seattle Times titled, ‘Protect WA’s waters and tribal sovereignty: Ban commercial finfish net-pen aquaculture.’

January 5, 2025 No Comments

News & Announcements

Washington State Poised to Set Precedent as First Government in the World to Successfully Remove and Permanently Ban Commercial Net Pen Aquaculture

Washington State recently garnered international attention for its successful removal of all polluting and hazardous commercial net pens from Puget Sound. Now, the state is on the verge of adopting a statute that would prohibit this commercial industry from ever returning to Puget Sound.

December 12, 2024 No Comments

News & Announcements

Legal Settlement Reached to Protect Wild Salmon and Steelhead from Harm by Lower Columbia River Hatcheries

Learn more about a new settlement agreement that is leading to more responsible, legally compliant, and transparent management practices at the hatcheries Washington State operates in the lower Columbia River.

October 4, 2024 No Comments

News & Announcements

Joint Statement from Wild Fish Conservancy and The Conservation Angler on Mitchell Act and SAFE Hatchery program Settlement with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

WFC, The Conservation Angler, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agree to settlement in Endangered Species Act lawsuit over lower Columbia River hatchery programs that are harming wild fish recovery.

September 26, 2024 No Comments

News & Announcements

Finn Creek Estuary Restoration Update

Historically, Finn Creek flowed through Hansville, WA in a complex mosaic of wetlands and tidally-influenced salt marsh providing a critical nursery for baby salmon and

July 26, 2024 No Comments

News & Announcements

Celebrating the Life of Jim Lichatowich

With profound sorrow, we share the news of Jim Lichatowich’s passing, a revered figure in the Pacific Northwest’s wild fish community and a board member of Wild Fish Conservancy since 1991.

May 31, 2024 No Comments

News & Announcements

After Chronic Decline, Feds Agree Alaskan Chinook May Require Protection under the Endangered Species Act

NOAA Fisheries announced a somber, yet significant milestone in the effort to protect dwindling Alaskan Chinook. After reviewing a formal petition to list Alaskan Chinook populations as ‘threatened’ or ‘endangered’, the federal agency has made the first ever positive finding for Alaskan-born salmon under the Endangered Species Act.

May 24, 2024 No Comments

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