The report, commissioned by the trust, provides a clear regulatory pathway and sets out the necessary steps for obtaining the approvals and consents required for a hatchery. It also highlights the importance of engaging with local iwi (mana whenua), regulatory agencies, and the wider community as part of the consultation process.
"This is a critical milestone for us," trust chairman Rick Boyd said.
"The wild sea-run Chinook salmon population in the lower Clutha River is functionally extinct, and there has been little sign of recovery over recent decades. This independent assessment confirms that a hatchery offers the best solution to restore the salmon population while also enhancing the local sports fishery."
The report, produced by the Cawthron Institute, an authority on salmon research, asserts that the hatchery is the most viable option for two main goals: (1) improving the sports fishery in the Clutha River, and (2) exploring the possibility of re-establishing sea-run salmon populations in the lower catchment.
The trust’s vision is to develop a "put-and-take" fishery where hatchery-raised juvenile salmon are released into the river below the Roxburgh Dam. These fish would eventually return from the sea as adults, providing a sustainable resource for local anglers.
Chinook salmon from California were originally introduced to the Clutha River catchment in the early 20th century. However, salmon runs declined sharply after the Roxburgh Dam was completed in 1956, which blocked access to key spawning grounds upstream.
Before the dam, the Clutha River had an estimated annual salmon spawning run of around 20,000 fish. But as the river’s access to these spawning grounds was restricted, the run dropped to a few thousand in good years, and more recently, to just a few hundred.
Mr Boyd said that while the hatchery plans moved forward, the trust had continued a broad programme of scientific fieldwork, including habitat restoration, fish population monitoring, and salmon spawning research across the catchment.
Otago Fish & Game has been instrumental in delivering much of this work, gathering vital data that will help inform future efforts to improve both the native and sports fish populations in the region.
"These studies are helping us build a clearer picture of the current state of the fishery, where fish are spawning, and what can be done to improve the overall health of the river," Mr Boyd said.
Any future hatchery development will also require engagement with mana whenua to ensure the cultural significance of salmon is respected. Mr Boyd acknowledged the importance of consulting with local iwi and the broader community to ensure all perspectives were considered in the decision-making process.
"Salmon are an important species for the sports fishery in the Clutha, but we also recognise they are a non-native species," he said.
"It’s essential that we engage with mana whenua and the community, and fully understand their views as we move forward."
The trust has made it clear that the just-completed statutory assessment is an important step in fulfilling its commitment to due diligence, ensuring all necessary information is in place for informed, respectful decision-making.
The trust will continue to share updates as progress is made in the hatchery planning and consultation process.
— Allied Media
