I recently visited a very successful salmon hatchery in Alaska with Senator Shelly Short and Representative Luanne Van Werven. In a guest column published by The Seattle Times, we shared our observations — and just as important, the belief that our northern neighbor’s approach could be adapted to benefit salmon and all who rely on them (such as commercial fishers and orcas) in our state.

Many 18th District residents have already contacted me to express their interest in this idea: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/alaskas-nonprofit-hatcheries-give-us-hope-for-washingtons-salmon-runs/ — let me know what you think at ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov!