The Hatchery Technology Team develops and applies salmon culture methodology for the conservation and enhancement of anadromous fish stocks. Hatcheries in the Pacific Northwest have traditionally been operated to produce fish for harvest. Recently, hatchery goals have expanded to help recover depleted stocks by raising and releasing fish that are similar in growth, development, health, and fitness to their wild cohorts. Collectively, this change in hatchery direction is known as "hatchery reform". The Teams science mission is to support hatchery reform goals through development of alternate culture strategies. Forage training, predator avoidance conditioning, exercise, and semi-natural raceway habitats have been examined as tools for acclimating ocean ranched fish to their natural environment.

The Hatchery Technology Team also conducts major implementation actions associated with recovery efforts for ESA-listed stocks of Pacific salmon through application of captive broodstock technology. Captive broodstock rearing programs conducted by the Team are reducing the extreme risk of extinction for stocks such as Redfish Lake sockeye salmon and aiding rebuilding of core genetic populations of Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon stocks from the Columbia/Snake River system. The fish are maintained and reared in specialized freshwater and marine systems that promote high survival and allow population amplification and production of eyed eggs, smolts, and prespawning adults. Fish are tagged with PIT tags and closely monitored during culture. Ultrasound monitoring is used to determine optimum maturation. These broodstock programs are in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Shoshone-Bannock, Umatilla, and Nez Perce tribes. Progeny are returned to the state of origin for use in recovery efforts.

Hatchery Technology Team scientists also provide advice on hatchery issues to federal, state, and tribal groups throughout the Pacific Northwest.