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The Stamp Committee has always, and successfully, operated on the principle of unanimity in making funding recommendations. Since commercial fishermen are paid for results, not for effort, the participation of salmon trollers on the Stamp Committee has led to extremely efficient use of fishermen's money in fulfilling the Stamp's purpose, which has always been to put as many fish as possible on the deck per dollar spent.

Soon after its formation, the Stamp Committee realized that the program should expand beyond rearing salmon in hatcheries. While hatchery enhancement would remain the Stamp Fund's flagship program, annually producing four million fish (two million under the statutory rearing program and another two million through an ongoing Salmon Stamp Program funding commitment at Thermalito Annex, an adjunct to the Feather River Hatchery, the Committee would also fund educational programs and habitat and other restoration work to assist in recovery of naturally spawning salmon throughout California.

The Stamp Committee began by developing innovative, small-scale bioenhancement projects based on the hatchbox concept. These projects were designed to "jump start" naturally spawning salmon in fish-depleted watersheds, using portable equipment. After each run of fish was restored, the project would be moved to another site.

The Salmon Stamp Committee has invested in cost-effective small-scale habitat restoration projects as opportunities have arisen. In addition, the Program has a long history of providing "seed money" to show industry support for worthwhile projects. The "seed money" can often jump start a project so that it can attract larger grants and other sources of funding.

Looking forward to a long-term investment in the future, the Committee decided to dedicate $10,000 annually to programs which would develop educational materials, foster the environmental ethic in schools, and make the public aware of the commitment of commercial and sport fisheries to salmon restoration.

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