Oregon Coastal Coho Recovery: A Recipe for Abundance
The Sustainable Solution for Abundant Salmon
The Oregon Coastal Coho Conservation Plan represents a landmark success demonstrating how collaborative, science-driven restoration and wild fish-focused management deliver tangible results for Oregonians and future generations.
There's a roadmap to abundance - the Oregon Coastal Coho success story.
After near total collapse in the late 1990s Oregon Coastal Coho salmon have staged a dramatic comeback, returning in abundances not seen since the 1960s.
How did this comeback happen? We implemented the recipe for abundance.
The Results:
Cost-Effective Conservation: Investing in self-sustaining wild fish populations generates long-term returns through restored ecosystem services, sustainable fishing opportunities, and reduced need for emergency interventions.
Proven Recovery: Native, self-sustaining coho salmon populations on the Oregon Coast have rebounded from near-total collapse. River habitats are healthier, sustainable wild fisheries have reopened, and coastal communities are experiencing economic benefits.
Broad Support: This model is effective, scalable, and enjoys support from diverse stakeholders.
Replicable Framework: The principles and practices that revitalized Oregon Coast coho provide a recipe for recovery efforts targeting other threatened salmon and steelhead populations across the state.
The Ask:
Now we're asking Oregon Legislators to replicate the proven success of the Coastal Coho recovery by directing ODFW funding toward the key ingredients in the “Recipe for Abundance." This critical investment builds on successful outcomes, safeguarding future fish returns and ensuring economic and environmental benefits for all Oregonians.
Now is the time to scale this successful approach statewide.
The Next Steps:
We’ll continue sharing more from the Oregon Coastal Coho success story - including the economic and environmental benefits this recovery has delivered, how the “Recipe for Abundance” can be replicated to revive salmon and steelhead statewide, and ways you can support and engage in this work. Stay tuned for upcoming updates and opportunities to take action!
In the meantime, watch our “Oregon Coast Coho: From Collapse to Comeback” presentation delivered at the Nov. 18th, 2025 Oregon Senate Interim Committee Meeting Forum, where Native Fish Society and partners outline the science, strategy, and outcomes behind this proven recovery model:
You can also explore additional examples of wild fish recovery in our Celebrating Wild Abundance: Case Studies of Wild Fish Resilience Campaign for a few prime examples of all wild rivers that are flourishing in the absence of hatchery interference:
These case studies show what’s possible when we invest in wild fish, healthy rivers, and long-term solutions.