Man Kills 18,000 Chinook Salmon at Oregon Hatchery
A man from Oregon, Joshua Heckathorn, is facing charges after trespassing into an Oregon hatchery and killing approximately 18,000 young Chinook salmon by pouring bleach into their tank. The incident has raised concerns and legal actions from authorities.
Details of the Incident
- Joshua Heckathorn trespassed into an Oregon hatchery and poured bleach into a tank, resulting in the death of 18,000 Chinook salmon.
- The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife found Heckathorn near the hatchery the next day and he admitted to the trespassing and handling of the chemical bottle.
- The police labeled the incident as a “significant poaching incident” due to the protected status of the fish and the volunteer-run nature of the hatchery.
- Authorities have arrested Heckathorn on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, and criminal mischief, with additional poaching charges expected.
Legal Consequences and Impact
Authorities are determining the fines Heckathorn will face for his actions, including charges of Making a Toxic Substance Available to Wildlife and Criminal Mischief 1st Degree. The incident has deeply affected the volunteers who dedicated their time to caring for the fish.
Heckathorn could potentially face a lifetime angling license suspension and damage suits for the unlawful killing of wildlife. The civil penalty for illegally taking or killing a single Chinook salmon in Oregon is a $750 fine, with the possibility of increased fines based on the number of fish affected.
While the likelihood of a fine reaching millions of dollars is low, the incident represents a significant loss for the Gardiner Reedsport Winchester Bay Salmon Trout Enhancement Programme (STEP).
