In the long run, genetic engineering techniques may offer the ability to give salmon greater resistance against parasites, warm water, and other factors limiting salmon production. Scientists in Norway, coping with the problem of water that is too cold, are already attempting to put the cold-resistant genes of winter flounder into Atlantic salmon. These are subtle differences, however, and all but a tiny minority of purists would find excitement in hooking a forty-pound hatchery chinook salmon in the Columbia River. It's disquieting to hear some environmentalists go on without a hint of irony about how 'locally distinct populations' must have their 'unique genetic ecotypes' preserved against 'non-native populations' encroaching at the border. To nature this entire line of thought must seem detached from reality.
Genes constantly mingle in nature.
That's part of the point of the enterprise. And if the environmentalists weren't taking money from the harvesters, lawsuits under the Endangered Species Act probably would have forced the shut down of hatcheries. They believe they can operate hatcheries that will bring runs of salmon back to the river for tribal harvesters. They might have trouble competing with fish farmers who raise salmon in pens, but their salmon would probably be a tastier product. 52 B. Brown, Mountain in the Clouds 102.