Publication Abstract

Hatcheries and stocking programs have long been a cornerstone of fisheries management, seen as tools for fisheries enhancement and/or conservation of threatened populations. Their use draws controversy, however, from a growing body of research over the last 50 years suggesting that stocking can have negative consequences for wild stocks, and yet remains valued in many instances. This study systematically reviews the last decade (2012–51 2021) of peer-reviewed literature to assess the role of hatcheries in salmonid conservation and fisheries enhancement in the Pacific and Atlantic basins. Our interdisciplinary research team reviewed both natural and social science literature using the Population–Intervention–Outcome search strategy across three literature databases. A total of 460 natural science and 88 social science articles were included following two rounds of screening, and included articles were evaluated for several interdisciplinary questions including geographic and species focus, key messages and management recommendations, and presence of Indigenous Knowledge and climate change. Results reveal disciplinary and geographic trends, with a persistent lack of definitional clarity around hatchery types and goals. Notably rare in the literature were studies that included Indigenous Knowledge systems or local ecological knowledge. Very few studies meaningfully integrate climate change as a driver or analytical lens, despite its increasing relevance to salmonid conservation and human–salmon relationships. Moving forward, we argue for clearer reporting standards, greater integration of climate perspectives, and stronger inclusion of diverse knowledge systems, including Indigenous-led priorities, to advance a more effective and pragmatic dialogue on hatcheries for fisheries enhancement and conservation.

Hannah Harrison, Oystein Aas, Valerie Berseth, Tom Chance, Katherine Dalby, Shelley Denny, Michael Fabiano, Norm Johnson, Tor Kitching, Lian Kwong, Polina Orlov, Adrian Spidle, Alan Walker*, Kyle Wellband, Lorna Wilson, Kurt Samways