Large-Scale Salmon Enhancement Select a topic from the list below Mokelumne River Hatchery Merced River Hatchery Thermalito Afterbay Sacramento Winter Run Iron Gate Hatchery Fish Transport Trailers Net Pens Avila Beach Monterey Bay Rowdy Creek Hatchery, Smith River Net pen rearing has proven to be a viable way to increase sport and commercial catch of chinook salmon in the ocean, particularly south of the Golden Gate. Central Coast Salmon Enhancement, a non-profit volunteer group, has been rearing and releasing yearling chinook salmon at Port San Luis Harbor in Avila Beach since 1983. During the years 1994-1996 all fish released by the project were marked with coded-wire tags. Based on recovery of 1994 tags, these salmon were landed at every port from Santa Barbara to north of San Francisco, and a few pen-reared salmon even made their way into Oregon waters. Data indicates that pen-reared salmon survive to enter the commercial and sport fisheries at exceptional levels. Salmon are transported by truck to Avila Beach from salmon hatcheries in the Central Valley, and are first introduced into plastic-lined floating pens. For a two- to ten-day holding period in the pens, the fish gradually adapt to the environment that changes from fresh to salt water. The plastic liners are soon removed leaving only a mesh net barrier between the fish and the ocean. Pens are moored in an area with good water circulation, where they are less vulnerable to boat traffic and vandalism. The fish are hand fed and continually monitored over a three-month period. As they grow they are subdivided into new pens to prevent overcrowding. When the salmon reach the proper size they are released. When the last fish are released the equipment is cleaned and stored for the next season. Beginning in 2001, the program doubled its annual production to 140,000 fish, provided that sufficient surplus fish are available from salmon hatcheries in the Central Valley. Joint project signs help educate the public about salmon restoration projects