In B.C., we have 3 main types of hatcheries (or hybrids of the following):
Major facilities producing fish in areas where the Federal government (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) is the main steward, and in watersheds where the stocks or habitat has been compromised or degrader. These facilities generally produce commercially, recreationally and First Nations (FN) fishable abundance.
CEDP (Community Economic Development Program) facilities producing large enough numbers of fish in degraded watersheds. These facilites focus on support recreational and FN fisheries and are generally managed by the Federal government in partnership with FN or a local stewardship organization.
Public Involvement Hatcheries that are very small and work to conserve and rebuild degraded runs. These facilities are conservation based and salmon returns are not targeted for fishing. They are generally run by the Federal government in partnership with volunteer aquatic stewards such as Fish and Game protection associations, Streamkeepers and Enhancement Societies.
Chinook enhancement and conservation is very important as it is a species of fisheries management concern for its environmental (ecosystem), cultural, spiritual, economic, educational and social value. These fish matter to us all!
The numbers of juveniles released from hatcheries of all three types provide food for the entire food web. Hatchery salmon are eaten by everything from birds to whales.