Yukon River Restoration and Enhancment Fund 2008 Conceptual Proposal
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YUKON RIVER RESTORATION AND ENHANCMENT FUND 2008 CONCEPTUAL PROPOSAL NUMBER: URE-04N-08 PROJECT TITLE: Ruby Salmon Data Collection Project PROJECT PROPONENT: Ed Sarten, Ruby Tribal Council PO box 21, Ruby, AK 99768 (907) 468-4475 [email protected] POTENTIAL PROJECT PARTNERS/ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS: Brandy Berkbigler, Tanana Chiefs Conference (907) 452-8251 [email protected] Lara Dehn, Alaska Department of Fish & Game (907) 459-7288 [email protected] PROJECT LOCATION: Ruby, AK PROJECT OBJECTIVES: 1.) To collect age, sex, length, weight, and girth data as well a genetic tissue samples from Chinook salmon caught with fishwheels and set nets, the two types of gear used in this area. 2.) To better understand stock biology and composition of the Ruby harvest throughout subsistence windows. Budget Priority Framework 2006: • Improve information on biological composition of run; and, • involve and educate users and non-users in communities to increase their desire to maintain and protect salmon stocks and habitat. US and Canada Yukon River Salmon Committee Joint Technical Committee Plan: • Estimate the stock biological or other composition of escapements – 1.1.2; and, • build and maintain community capacity – 3.2.3. Budget Priorities for 2008 & Near Term Priorities: 3. Determine the quality of stock escapement 4. Community Education and Stewardship PROJECT SUMMARY: Management of the Chinook salmon fishery is difficult due to the mixed stocks of salmon, commercial and subsistence fishing, the many tributaries and the vast distance that the Yukon River flows. As a result, several controversies have arisen over time. First are concerns over allocation of the fishery based on the size of salmon runs year to year. Second, concerns have been raised about the genetic variability of Chinook salmon, particularly about the potential decreasing size of this species over time in the Yukon River. Data on the Ruby subsistence fishery are sparse. In 2007 ADF&G coordinated a cooperative subsistence sampling data effort with Ruby to take ASL and genetic fin clips from 300 Chinook salmon harvested in Ruby. Ruby Tribal Council would like to expand on the data collection and take data on the entire subsistence fish harvest in Ruby. The biological sampling objectives of this proposed research are a direct attempt to address these concerns by producing a locally specific data set to be included with other geographical data sets to evaluate run size and genetic stock identification river-wide. Information such as age, sex, and length (ASL), genetics, run timing, and harvest data are very useful to state and federal managers to reconstruct the salmon runs, assess trends over time and implement management decisions to maintain the resource and meet treaty obligations with Canada. Ruby Tribal Council will monitor Chinook salmon with use of 2 fish wheels one north bank one south bank and two set nets with trained technicians to collect data on scales for aging, axillary fin clip, length, weight, girth, frame of entry; ADF&G will provide training and data analysis. LIFE OF PROJECT: 2 years ESTIMATED BUDGET: Project Budget Amount $ Capital Operation & Maintenance 17,000 Admin/Indirect/Overhead 14,701 Personnel 22,218 Total Request $ 53,919 Total In-kind/other YUKON RIVER RESTORATION AND ENHANCMENT FUND 2008 CONCEPTUAL PROPOSAL NUMBER: URE-05-08 PROJECT TITLE: Marshall Cooperative Chinook Salmon Drift Test Fish Project PROJECT PROPONENT: Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association CONTACT: Robert DuBey, 725 Christensen Dr., Suite 3-B, Anchorage, AK 99501, 907- 272-3141 ext 103, [email protected] POTENTIAL PROJECT PARTNERS/ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS: Ohogamiut Traditional Council (OTC): Nick Andrew, Jr., (907) 679-6598 [email protected] ; and Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Dani Evenson, (907) 267.2135, [email protected]. PROJECT LOCATION: Yukon River in the mainstem at river mile 170, nearest community – Marshall (decimal degrees; N61.75708 W 162.00958 - Station A) PROJECT OBJECTIVES: Chinook salmon have shown a slight rebounding in the last several years. But the conservation and stewardship of this resource needs to be continued. Given these fluctuations and the lack of certainty in what is causing them, a test fish project was conducted in 2006 and is proposed for continuation which would provide needed stability in monitoring the Chinook salmon run in a strategic location relative to the Pilot Station sonar project for the restoration, conservation and enhancement of Alaskan and Canadian origin stocks of the Yukon River. The objectives of this project are to: 1) to estimate the abundance, run-timing, and Age Sex Length (ASL) composition of Chinook salmon in the Yukon River near the village of Marshall; and, 2) to promote a conservation and stewardship experience for rural local residents and/or students. Objective 1 of this project (ASL composition) is a conservation stock run assessment priority 1 objective for the Yukon River Panel’s ‘Budget Priority Framework 2006’ and by aiding in the determination of quality of stock escapement meets the Panel’s R&E Budget Priorities for 2008. Objective 2 (stewardship experience) meets Yukon River Panel’s ‘Budget Priority Framework 2006’ priority 1 category under stewardship by involving, educating and enabling users and non-users in communities to increase their desire to maintain and protect salmon stocks and habitat; and under the Panel’s R&E Budget Priorities for 2008 as a priority project by providing youth-oriented education and hands-on projects (youth up to 18 years) by hiring local youth on sampling crews. PROJECT SUMMARY: YRDFA in cooperation with OTC and ADF&G will manage the test fish project. The project will commence mid-June and continue through mid-July. Daily test fishing will be conducted at established drift sites that are compatible with previous work. Daily Chinook salmon catch results will be tabulated and daily catch-per-unit-effort or CPUE statistics calculated. This information will be compiled, analyzed and assessment provided in regards to relative run strength and migratory timing of Chinook salmon. Chinook salmon will be sampled for scales, sex, and length information. Once the catch is sampled, the crew will return to the village for transfer and distribution of the fish to local residents for Subsistence uses. LIFE OF PROJECT: This proposal is for the third year of a three year project. ESTIMATED BUDGET: Project Budget Amount $ Capital Operation & Maintenance 4764 Admin/Indirect/Overhead 2806 Personnel 20494 Total Request 28064 Total In-kind/other Budget increase includes an increase in fuel costs from $2600 to $3000, an addition of one local hire crew member that was previously funded by an Office of Subsistence Management, Partners Program through US Fish and Wildlife Service Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) pass through that is not currently available ($4,416) and travel and 0.5 month salary for YRDFA biologist for onsite project management and reporting requirements ($4764). ON-GOING PROJECTS: YRDFA is now the project proponent of this project formerly managed by the AVCP. YRDFA in cooperation with local tribal councils and ADF&G will manage the test fish project. The project will commence mid-June and continue through mid-July. Daily test fishing will be conducted at established drift sites compatible with previous work. Daily Chinook salmon catch results will be tabulated and daily catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) statistics calculated. Data from the test fishery will be faxed daily to the ADF&G office to provide an additional tool in assessing relative run strength and migration timing of Chinook and to a lesser extent, summer chum salmon. Chinook salmon will be sampled for age, sex, and length information. Once the catch is sampled, the crew will return to the village for transfer and distribution of the fish to local residents. In the event subsistence needs are met, fish will be sold to a local fish buyer for a fair market purchase price. YUKON RIVER RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT FUND 2008 CONCEPTUAL PROPOSAL URE-06-08 Project Title: Kaltag Chum/Coho Drift Gillnet Salmon Test Fishery Organization: City of Kaltag Contact Name: Richard Burnham Ph: (907) 534-2301 Fax: (907) 534-2236 E-mail:[email protected] Project Location: Village of Kaltag, river mile 450 on the Yukon River. Project Objectives: Enumerate salmon (fall chum and coho) using CPUE techniques developed by ADF&G. Scale samples, age, sex, and length are also taken from salmon caught at three (3) specific test drift sites. Budget Priority Framework 2006: Improve information on biological composition of run. YR JTC Plan Goals and Objectives: Assess abundance in season- 1.2.1; Improve run assessment capability—1.4.1; Estimate characteristics of run timing – 1.2.3; Build and maintain community capacity - 3.2.3 Budget Priorities for 2008 & Near Term Priorities: Determine the quality of stock escapement--#3; Collect ASL data for Chinook salmon; Community education and stewardship-- #4. Project Summary: This information is gathered and used by the ADF&G biologists to monitor run timing, travel time and build a CPUE database to compare fish run strengths from year to year. This in turn allow managers to make management decisions on potential subsistence and commercial fishing in Alaska, and also protect stocks destined for the Canadian portion of the Yukon and Porcupine rivers. The test fishery has been conducted for the last 8 years (1999-2007), operating from July 25th- September 18th. Information is transmitted daily to the ADF&G. The budget has increased due to the need to purchase of a new net. Life of Project: Ongoing Estimated Budget: $21,000US Project Budget Amount $ Capital 500 Operation & Maintenance 1300 Admin/Indirect/Overhead Personnel 19200 Total Request $21,000 Total In-kind/other Abstract: The Kaltag drift gillnet test fishery was established in 1999 to assist fishery managers in tracking fall chum and coho salmon as they migrate upstream through the middle portion of the Yukon River drainage.