Man accused of pouring bleach into hatchery tank, killing around 20K young salmon, officials say

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — A man is facing charges after he reportedly admitted to investigators that he broke into a salmon hatchery in Gardiner, Oregon, earlier this week and poured bleach into some of the ponds, killing thousands of baby salmon.

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The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office learned on Monday that someone made their way into a hatchery building at the Gardiner, Reedsport, and Winchester Bay (GRWB) Salmon Trout Enhancement Program hatchery.

Once inside the hatchery, the man reportedly poured a chemical into the ponds. The chemical led to the deaths of around 15,000 to 20,000 smolt chinook salmon, the sheriff’s office said.

The following day around 6:30 p.m., a deputy saw a man walking along Highway 101 southbound by milepost 210 who looked like the same man who had walked into the hatchery, the sheriff’s office said, according to KPTV. The man was identified as Joshua Alexander Heckathorn, 22.

Investigators interviewed Heckathorn and he allegedly admitted to trespassing and having the chemical bottle, according to the news outlet.

In a Facebook post, the hatchery said that the chemical was a gallon of bleach, according to KPTV.

“These young fish, returning from the ocean as adults in three to four years, would have added 200 - 400 fully grown salmon available for harvest for Winchester Bay and Umpqua River anglers generating much-needed revenue in local economies,” the hatchery said.

Heckathorn has been charged with burglary II, criminal trespass and criminal mischief, the sheriff’s office said.

Since thousands of smolt chinook salmon were killed, the sheriff’s office said they are working with the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife unit on the case.

“Solving this case is the result of collaboration and good policework,” Sheriff John Hanlin remarked. “I am proud of the work done by the deputies and have full confidence that the investigation will aid in holding those responsible accountable for their actions.”

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