Suspicious Incident Causes 5,700 Salmon Deaths at Platte River S - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Suspicious Incident Causes 5,700 Salmon Deaths at Platte River State Fish Hatchery

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By Katelyn Boomgaard, Reporter - bio | email

Suspicious incident caused 5,700 Salmon to die at the Platte River State Fish Hatchery.

The DNR staff at the hatchery in Beulah found 5,700 coho salmon dead in one of the maturation ponds last week.

During an investigation, they say it was a "vandalism act," because it appears the fish were forcibly pushed together in a small area which blocked the water flow and created lethal conditions.

"This is the first time in 45 years where we have had this type of incident at this facility," said Gary Whelan, DNR fish production manager. "It could have put our entire coho salmon program in serious jeopardy. The loss of this program would cost the state economy millions of dollars in revenue. We were exceptionally fortunate to have an above average coho salmon spawning run this year and will still have enough adults to fully meet our coho salmon egg take needs."

The fishery has put in place additional security systems and if you have any information regarding this vandalism act please call any conservation officer or the RAP hotline at 1-800-292-7800.