Sockeye Salmon Smolt Abundance and Inriver Distribution in Bristol Bay, Alaska: Results from the Kvichak, Ugashik, and Egegik Rivers in 2013

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Sockeye Salmon Smolt Abundance and Inriver Distribution in Bristol Bay, Alaska: Results from the Kvichak, Ugashik, and Egegik Rivers in 2013 Sockeye salmon smolt abundance and inriver distribution in Bristol Bay, Alaska: results from the Kvichak, Ugashik, and Egegik rivers in 2013 Prepared for Bristol Bay Science and Research Institute Box 1464, Dillingham, AK 99576 September 2014 Sockeye salmon smolt abundance and inriver distribution in Bristol Bay, Alaska: results from the Kvichak, Ugashik, and Egegik rivers in 2013 by Matthew J. Nemetha, Guy D. Wadea, Don J. Deganb, and Michael R. Linka aLGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc. 2000 W. International Airport Road, Suite C1 Anchorage, Alaska 99502 bAquacoustics, Inc. P.O. Box 1473 Sterling, Alaska 99672-1473 for Bristol Bay Science and Research Institute Box 1464, Dillingham, Alaska 99576 September 2014 Suggested format for citation: Nemeth, M. J., G. D. Wade, D. J. Degan, and M. R. Link. 2014. Sockeye salmon smolt abundance and inriver distribution in Bristol Bay, Alaska: results from the Kvichak, Ugashik, and Egegik rivers in 2013. Report prepared by LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc., Anchorage, AK, and Aquacoustics, Inc. Sterling, AK, for the Bristol Bay Science and Research Institute, Dillingham, AK, 55 pp. + appendices. Smolt monitoring on three Bristol Bay rivers in 2013 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Information on the abundance of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) smolts can help characterize freshwater and marine productivity, set biological escapement goals, and forecast adult returns. In 2013, the Bristol Bay Science and Research Institute (BBSRI) used sonar arrays to estimate the hourly, daily, and seasonal abundance of sockeye salmon smolts migrating from three rivers in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. This was the sixth study year on the Kvichak River (all consecutive), fourth on the Ugashik River, and second on the Egegik River. On each river, a series of upward-looking sonar transducers were placed across the river bottom, perpendicular to the water flow, in an array that ranged from 5 to 12 transducers. Each array was operated separately to generate independent estimates of smolt abundance. Smolt distribution and run timing were also described to help assess factors that may affect abundance estimates. Finally, smolts were also captured to characterize the age, weight, and length of the migrating population. The following are the major results of the study in 2013. Kvichak River • Two independent sonar arrays were operated from 18 May through 13 June in 2013. Sonar arrays operated reliably, with minimal down time or sound interference. Smolt abundance was estimated to be 41.9 million (95% CI = 36.9 – 46.9 million) at Site 1 and 34.0 million (95% CI = 31.0 – 37.0) at Site 2. The study period appeared to encompass the entire run. Smolt run timing was slightly earlier than in prior years, and ranged 22 May to 9 June, with a midpoint of 27 May. Water temperatures were the highest recorded at the run midpoint (6.5 °C) since project inception in 2008 (previous range 4.5 to 6.3 °C). • Smolt distribution and behavior were similar to prior years. Laterally, most smolts migrated down the left side of the channel (downstream perspective) where the water was relatively deep, although smolts were also detected across the entire river. Vertically, most smolts migrated within the upper 1.0 m of the water column, with a higher percentage towards the surface at night than during the day. Approximately half the smolt run migrated during daylight hours, with passage per hour therefore being highest during the relatively few hours of darkness. Water velocity ranged from 1.3 to 1.8 m/sec in areas with highest smolt passage. • All smolts were either age -1 or age-2, with the proportion of age-1 (45%) being somewhat lower and the proportion of age-2 (55%) somewhat higher than in prior years. Within each age class, smolt body length and weight were similar to prior years. Tissues samples were collected for genetic analysis, to be reported separately by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). • A third array of new sonar pods using different transducers was successfully tested. Abundance and distribution data were analyzed and compared to data from the established transducers at sites 1 and 2 for validation purposes, but not used to characterize the smolt run. This array will be deployed on another river in 2014. iv Smolt monitoring on three Bristol Bay rivers in 2013 Ugashik River • Two sonar arrays were operated from 18 May through 13 June in 2013, at the same sites used since 2010 and near the site of past studies by ADF&G. Sonar arrays operated reliably, although 33% of the events at Site 1 needed to be interpolated due to down time and sound interference. Smolt abundance was estimated to be 3.1 million (CI = 2.8 – 3.4 million) at Site 1 and 3.2 million (CI = 2.6 – 3.8 million) at Site 2. The study period appeared to encompass the entire run, and was similar in overall timing to comparable study years 2010 and 2012. Smolt run timing ranged from 22 May to 7 June, with a midpoint of 2 June. Water temperatures were higher at the run midpoint (6.8 °C) than in 2010 or 2012. • Smolt distribution and behavior were similar to prior years and to the Kvichak River in 2013. Laterally, most Ugashik River smolts migrated down the center to center-left of the channel (downstream perspective), where the water was relatively deep. Low numbers of smolts were also detected across the entire river. Vertically, most smolts migrated within the upper 1.0 m of the water column, with a higher percentage towards the surface at night than during the day. Approximately 40-45% of the smolts migrated during daylight hours, with passage per hour therefore highest during the relatively few hours of darkness. Water velocity ranged from 1.4 to 2.5 m/sec in areas with highest smolt passage. • All smolts were either age -1 or age-2, with the proportion of age-1 (68%) being somewhat higher and the proportion of age-2 (32%) somewhat lower than in prior years. Within each age class, smolt body length and weight were relatively high compared to prior years. Egegik River • One sonar array was operated from 22 May through 12 June in 2013, at the same site attempted in 2011 and near the site of past studies by ADF&G. The array operated reliably, although 26% of the events needed to be interpolated due to down time and sound interference. Ice precluded full deployment from 18 May through 22 May. The study period appeared to encompass the entire run, which had a midpoint of 31 May. The overall run timing was more compressed than on the Kvichak and Ugashik rivers in 2013. A smolt abundance estimate was not generated due to lack of reliable water velocity data. Smolt density in time and space was able to be calculated, however, which allowed us to describe the relative run timing and distribution of smolts. • Laterally, most Egegik River smolts migrated down the right half of the river; the relatively uniform river depth prevented obvious associations between depth and smolt passage. Several aspects of smolt distribution and timing were different from the Kvichak and Egegik rivers in 2013. Vertically, only about 60% of the smolts migrated within the upper 1.0 m of the water column, a smaller fraction than on the Kvichak or Egegik rivers. Also different was that Egegik River acoustic data showed smolts nearer the surface in the day than at night, in contrast v Smolt monitoring on three Bristol Bay rivers in 2013 to the other two rivers. Finally, only 37% of the smolts migrated during daylight hours, a lower percentage than on the other two rivers. • Too few smolts were captured to conduct age, weight, or length analysis. vi Smolt monitoring on three Bristol Bay rivers in 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................... iv Kvichak River ................................................................................................................ iv Ugashik River ..................................................................................................................v Egegik River ....................................................................................................................v TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix List of photos .......................................................................................................................x List of appendices ................................................................................................................x INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................2 STUDY AREA ....................................................................................................................2 Bristol Bay .......................................................................................................................2 Kvichak River ..................................................................................................................3 Ugashik River ..................................................................................................................3
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