Steelhead Washington: Chehalis, Hoh, Humptulips, Queets, Quillayute

Home , Copalis River, Humptulips River, Moclips River, Quinault River

Steelhead

Oncorhynchus mykiss

©Monterey Bay Aquarium

Washington: Chehalis, Hoh, Humptulips, Queets, Quillayute, Quinault Rivers

Gillnet, Midwater

February 6, 2017 (updated April 6, 2017) Seafood Watch Consulting Researcher

Disclaimer Seafood Watch® strives to have all Seafood Reports reviewed for accuracy and completeness by external scientists with expertise in ecology, fisheries science and aquaculture. Scientific review, however, does not constitute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch® program or its recommendations on the part of the reviewing scientists. Seafood Watch® is solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report.

Seafood Watch Standard used in this assessment: Standard for Fisheries vF2 Table of Contents

About...... Seafood...... Watch ...... 3......

Guiding...... Principles ...... 4......

Summary...... 5......

Final...... Seafood...... Recommendations ...... 6......

Introduction...... 8......

Assessment...... 10......

Criterion...... 1: . . . Impacts...... on . . . the. . . . . species...... under ...... assessment ...... 10 ......

Criterion...... 2: . . . Impacts...... on . . . other...... species...... 26 ......

Criterion...... 3: . . . Management...... Effectiveness ...... 38 ......

Criterion...... 4: . . . Impacts...... on . . . the. . . . . habitat...... and . . . . . ecosystem...... 48 ......

Acknowledgements...... 52......

References...... 53......

Appendix...... A:. . . . Review...... Schedule...... 60......

2 About Seafood Watch

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch® program evaluates the ecological sustainability of wild-caught and farmed seafood commonly found in the United States marketplace. Seafood Watch® defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether wild-caught or farmed, which can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems. Seafood Watch® makes its science-based recommendations available to the public in the form of regional pocket guides that can be downloaded from www.seafoodwatch.org. The program’s goals are to raise awareness of important ocean conservation issues and empower seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans.

Each sustainability recommendation on the regional pocket guides is supported by a Seafood Report. Each report synthesizes and analyzes the most current ecological, fisheries and ecosystem science on a species, then evaluates this information against the program’s conservation ethic to arrive at a recommendation of “Best Choices,” “Good Alternatives” or “Avoid.” The detailed evaluation methodology is available upon request. In producing the Seafood Reports, Seafood Watch® seeks out research published in academic, peer-reviewed journals whenever possible. Other sources of information include government technical publications, fishery management plans and supporting documents, and other scientific reviews of ecological sustainability. Seafood Watch® Research Analysts also communicate regularly with ecologists, fisheries and aquaculture scientists, and members of industry and conservation organizations when evaluating fisheries and aquaculture practices. Capture fisheries and aquaculture practices are highly dynamic; as the scientific information on each species changes, Seafood Watch®’s sustainability recommendations and the underlying Seafood Reports will be updated to reflect these changes.

Parties interested in capture fisheries, aquaculture practices and the sustainability of ocean ecosystems are welcome to use Seafood Reports in any way they find useful. For more information about Seafood Watch® and Seafood Reports, please contact the Seafood Watch® program at Monterey Bay Aquarium by calling 1-877-229- 9990.

3 Guiding Principles

Seafood Watch defines sustainable seafood as originating from sources, whether fished1 or farmed, that can maintain or increase production in the long-term without jeopardizing the structure or function of affected ecosystems.

Based on this principle, Seafood Watch had developed four sustainability criteria for evaluating wildcatch fisheries for consumers and businesses. These criteria are:

How does fishing affect the species under assessment? How does the fishing affect other, target and non-target species? How effective is the fishery’s management? How does the fishing affect habitats and the stability of the ecosystem?

Each criterion includes:

Factors to evaluate and score Guidelines for integrating these factors to produce a numerical score and rating

Once a rating has been assigned to each criterion, we develop an overall recommendation. Criteria ratings and the overall recommendation are color-coded to correspond to the categories on the Seafood Watch pocket guide and online guide:

Best Choice/Green: Are well managed and caught in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife.

Good Alternative/Yellow: Buy, but be aware there are concerns with how they’re caught.

Avoid/Red Take a pass on these for now. These items are overfished or caught in ways that harm other marine life or the environment.

1 “Fish” is used throughout this document to refer to finfish, shellfish and other invertebrates

4 Summary

Steelhead are seagoing members of the rainbow trout species found along the U.S. West Coast. Several distinct population segments of steelhead have been listed as "Threatened" or "Endangered" under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This report focuses on commercial fisheries for non-ESA listed steelhead in the Washington Coastal region (Southwest Washington and Olympic Peninsula). All commercial fishing for steelhead in Washington is conducted by Indian tribes. This report covers fisheries conducted by the Quinault Indian Nation, Quileute Nation, and Hoh Tribe in the Chehalis, Hoh, Humptulips, Queets, Quillayute, and Quinault Rivers.

Steelhead are born in freshwater and generally spend 2–3 years there before migrating to ocean waters to feed and mature. After spending a few years in the ocean, steelhead return to freshwaters to spawn, often to the same river they were born in. Steelhead are divided into two reproductive types based on when they return to freshwater to spawn: summer-run steelhead enter freshwater between May and October, while winter-run steelhead enter freshwater between November and April.

In general, steelhead populations in the Washington Coastal region are healthier than steelhead populations in other regions, but they have experienced declines because of both fishing and habitat degradation. To evaluate the status of steelhead populations, scientists and managers monitor escapement. Escapement is the number of fish that escape capture in the fishery and actually spawn. Managers set escapement goals for steelhead populations based on the number of spawners that are required to maintain healthy populations. In most rivers assessed in this report, the winter steelhead populations have been meeting their escapement goals the majority of the time. But the abundance of summer steelhead in all rivers is unknown. Additionally, steelhead populations have been heavily supplemented with hatchery production, and hatchery fish are not always distinguished from wild fish, which can confound the interpretation of wild steelhead abundance. The abundance of Chehalis River and Hoh River steelhead is of high concern because the winter steelhead population in these rivers has often failed to achieve the respective escapement goals.

The tribal fisheries catch steelhead using mid-water gillnets. The fisheries may catch and retain other salmon species, primarily coho and Chinook. Additionally, the steelhead fisheries in the Hoh, Queets, and Quinault Rivers may incidentally catch threatened bull trout. The steelhead fisheries in the Chehalis and Humptulips Rivers may incidentally catch green sturgeon, a species of concern. Incidental catches of bull trout and sturgeon are poorly monitored, which makes it difficult to determine how the steelhead fisheries affect their populations.

Steelhead fisheries are co-managed by the Indian Tribes and the State of Washington. Each year, managers meet to plan and set regulations for the steelhead fisheries. Managers try to balance the needs of fishers with the need to maintain healthy steelhead populations. Managers are working toward managing steelhead using an integrated approach, which includes restoring degraded steelhead habitats and improving the management of hatcheries to minimize their negative ecological impacts (such as resource competition, disease transfer, and genetic impacts) on wild fish, but further work is still needed to address hatchery concerns. Additionally, there are currently no specific management policies to account for steelhead’s important ecological role in ocean and freshwater ecosystems.

The Chehalis River and Hoh River steelhead fisheries are rated "Red" due to concerns about the status of steelhead in these river and concerns over bycatch of sturgeon and bull trout respectively. All other steelhead fisheries evaluated in this report are rated "Yellow."

5 Final Seafood Recommendations

CRITERION CRITERION 2: 1: IMPACTS IMPACTS ON CRITERION 3: CRITERION 4: ON THE OTHER MANAGEMENT HABITAT AND OVERALL SPECIES/FISHERY SPECIES SPECIES EFFECTIVENESS ECOSYSTEM RECOMMENDATION

Rainbow trout Red (2.159) Red (2.159) Yellow (2.449) Yellow (2.828) Avoid (2.383) (Steelhead) Washington Chehalis River, Drift gillnets (driftnets), United States

Rainbow trout Red (2.159) Red (1.526) Yellow (2.449) Yellow (2.828) Avoid (2.185) (Steelhead) Washington Hoh River, Drift gillnets (driftnets), United States

Rainbow trout Yellow Red (2.159) Yellow (2.449) Yellow (2.828) Good Alternative (Steelhead) (2.644) (2.507) Washington Humptulips River, Drift gillnets (driftnets), United States

Rainbow trout Yellow Red (1.526) Yellow (2.449) Yellow (2.828) Good Alternative (Steelhead) (2.644) (2.299) Washington Queets River, Drift gillnets (driftnets), United States

Rainbow trout Yellow Green (3.318) Yellow (3.000) Yellow (2.828) Good Alternative (Steelhead) (2.644) (2.937) Washington Quillayute River, Drift gillnets (driftnets), United States

Rainbow trout Yellow Red (1.526) Yellow (2.449) Yellow (2.828) Good Alternative (Steelhead) (2.644) (2.299) Washington Quinault River, Drift gillnets (driftnets), United States

Scoring Guide Scores range from zero to five where zero indicates very poor performance and five indicates the fishing operations have no significant impact.

6 Final Score = geometric mean of the four Scores (Criterion 1, Criterion 2, Criterion 3, Criterion 4).

Best Choice/Green = Final Score >3.2, and no Red Criteria, and no Critical scores Good Alternative/Yellow = Final score >2.2-3.2, and neither Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) nor Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) are Very High Concern2 , and no more than one Red Criterion, and no Critical scores Avoid/Red = Final Score ≤2.2, or either Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High Concern or two or more Red Criteria, or one or more Critical scores.

2 Because effective management is an essential component of sustainable fisheries, Seafood Watch issues an Avoid recommendation for any fishery scored as a Very High Concern for either factor under Management (Criterion 3).

7 Introduction

Scope of the analysis and ensuing recommendation This report focuses on commercial fisheries for non-ESA listed steelhead in the Washington Coastal region (Southwest Washington and Olympic Peninsula). All commercial fishing for steelhead in Washington is conducted by Indian tribes. This report covers fisheries conducted by the Quinault Indian Nation, Quileute Nation, and Hoh Tribe in the Chehalis, Hoh, Humptulips, Queets, Quillayute, and Quinault Rivers.

Species Overview Rainbow trout or steelhead is a complex species, with a variety of life history patterns. They are native to marine and freshwater habitats along the U.S. West Coast from California to the Alaska Peninsula, and their range stretches to the Sea of Okhotsk and the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. They have also been introduced to many areas. This species may either exhibit resident behavior (i.e., remain in freshwater year-round) or anadromous behavior (i.e., migrate between freshwater and the ocean). Those that exhibit resident behavior are called rainbow or redband trout, while those that exhibit anadromous behavior are called steelhead. This report is on the anadromous form, steelhead.

Steelhead are born in freshwater and generally spend 2–3 years there before migrating to ocean waters to feed and mature. Steelhead may spend up to 3 years in the ocean before returning to freshwater to spawn. Often, they return to the same freshwater river where they were born, which creates many distinct spawning populations. Steelhead are divided into two reproductive types based on when they return to freshwater to spawn: summer-run steelhead and winter-run steelhead. Summer-run steelhead enter freshwater in a sexually immature condition between May and October and require several months to mature and spawn. Winter-run steelhead sexually mature while in ocean waters, enter freshwater between November and April, and spawn shortly thereafter (WDFW 2008c) (NMFS 2014a). Spawning takes place in habitats ranging from small tributaries to large rivers, with gravel bottoms and fast flowing waters (WDFW 2008c). The females will dig a nest (or a redd) to lay their eggs in. The eggs will hatch in 3–4 weeks. Unlike other salmon species, steelhead have the potential to reproduce more than once. Typically, around 5%–10% of the spawning population is made of repeat spawners (WDFW 2008c). Steelhead grow to a maximum size of 120 cm and can live to 11 years of age.

There are many distinct population segments (DPS) of steelhead throughout their range. A DPS is a taxonomic classification system used for the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). A DPS is a population or group of populations that are discrete from other populations of the same species (NOAA 2014). Each steelhead DPS comprises several individual populations. Currently, 10 steelhead DPSs are listed as "Threatened" under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and 1 is listed as "Endangered" (NMFS 2014a). Those listed under the Endangered Species Act include five population segments in California, five population segments of the Columbia River Basin, and Puget Sound steelhead. One DPS (Oregon Coast) is listed as a "Species of Concern." The two DPSs that are the focus of our report, Southwest Washington steelhead and Olympic Peninsula steelhead, are not listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Olympic Peninsula DPS includes waters west of the Elwha River, around Cape Flattery and south (all streams included) into the Pacific Ocean north of Grays Harbor. The Southwest Washington DPS occurs in all rivers draining into Grays Harbor, Willipa Bay, and the Columbia River up to the Cowlitz River (WDFW 2008c). Although logging, overfishing, and hatchery programs have all negatively affected Washington's steelhead populations, they are relatively healthy compared to other steelhead populations (WDFW 2014a).

Washington steelhead fisheries are co-managed by the Indian tribes and the State of Washington. Only Indian tribes are allowed to commercially fish for steelhead, but there are state-managed recreational fisheries. Tribal and state managers meet each year to plan the steelhead fisheries. The Quinault Indian Nation co-manages

8 steelhead in the Chehalis, Copalis, Humptulips, Moclips, Queets, and Quinault Rivers. The Quileute Nation co- manages steelhead in the Quillayute River, and the Hoh tribe co-manages steelhead in the Hoh River.

Production Statistics The Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) catches steelhead in the Quinault River, Queets River, Chehalis River, and Humptulips River. It also catches very small amounts of steelhead in the Moclips and Copalis Rivers (these rivers were not included in the assessment due to the minimal catches). Steelhead catches by the Quinault Indian Nation (QIN) have historically been the highest on the Quinault River. Catches in this river have ranged from 7,000 to 11,000 fish from 2000 to 2013. The highest catches occurred in 2010 and 2013. The Queets River has the second-highest catches, typically varying around 2,000 to 5,000 fish since 2000. The largest catch occurred in 2011, of 7,034 fish. In the Chehalis River, catches peaked in the early 2000s (6,553 fish in 2003) but have since declined to 1,469 fish in 2013. Catches in the Humptulips River have varied between 132 and 904 fish per year since 2000.

The Hoh tribe catches steelhead in the Hoh River. Catches have been variable but have increased in recent years, with catches peaking at 3,720 fish in 2011.

The Quileute Nation catches steelhead in the Quillayute River. Catches have ranged between 3,988 and 11,546 steelhead per year from 2000–2013, with the highest catches occurring in 2001 and 2007 (WDFW 2014g).

The tribes catch steelhead with gillnets. Directed steelhead fisheries primarily occur during the winter months and target winter steelhead. But summer steelhead are caught during the spring/summer and fall salmon fisheries, and are retained and sold.

Importance to the US/North American market. Import and export information specific to steelhead trout are not available, because all trout species are combined. Tribal-caught steelhead is consumed locally or sold within the U.S. Some farmed steelhead is imported into the U.S. (Harvey 2005).

Common and market names. Also known as trout or steelhead trout.

Primary product forms Steelhead are primarily sold as fresh whole fish.

9 Assessment

This section assesses the sustainability of the fishery(s) relative to the Seafood Watch Criteria for Fisheries, available at http://www.seafoodwatch.org.

Criterion 1: Impacts on the species under assessment

This criterion evaluates the impact of fishing mortality on the species, given its current abundance. The inherent vulnerability to fishing rating influences how abundance is scored, when abundance is unknown.

The final Criterion 1 score is determined by taking the geometric mean of the abundance and fishing mortality scores. The Criterion 1 rating is determined as follows:

Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and ≤3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score ≤2.2=Red or High Concern

Rating is Critical if Factor 1.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Critical

Criterion 1 Summary RAINBOW TROUT (STEELHEAD) Inherent Region / Method Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Score Washington/Chehalis 2.00: Medium 2.00: High Concern 2.33: Moderate Red (2.159) River Drift gillnets Concern (driftnets) Washington/Hoh River 2.00: Medium 2.00: High Concern 2.33: Moderate Red (2.159) Drift gillnets (driftnets) Concern Washington/Humptulips 2.00: Medium 3.00: Moderate 2.33: Moderate Yellow (2.644) River Drift gillnets Concern Concern (driftnets) Washington/Queets River 2.00: Medium 3.00: Moderate 2.33: Moderate Yellow (2.644) Drift gillnets (driftnets) Concern Concern Washington/Quillayute 2.00: Medium 3.00: Moderate 2.33: Moderate Yellow (2.644) River Drift gillnets Concern Concern (driftnets) Washington/Quinault 2.00: Medium 3.00: Moderate 2.33: Moderate Yellow (2.644) River Drift gillnets Concern Concern (driftnets)

In this assessment, we evaluate tribal steelhead fisheries in the Washington Coastal region (Southwest Washington and Olympic Peninsula). The steelhead populations in this region are generally healthier than steelhead in other regions of the U.S. {WDFW 2008c}. The steelhead fisheries evaluated include those that occur in the Chehalis, Hoh, Humptulips, Queets, Quillayute, and Quinault Rivers. Tribal fishers primarily target steelhead during the winter months and target winter steelhead. But summer steelhead are caught during

10 spring/summer fisheries for Chinook salmon and fall fisheries for coho salmon, and are retained and sold. Therefore, our recommendations cover both winter and summer steelhead.

To evaluate the status of steelhead, scientists and managers monitor escapement. Escapement is the number of fish that escape capture in the fishery and actually spawn. Managers set escapement goals for steelhead populations based on the number of spawners that are required to maintain a healthy population or maximum sustainable yield. Escapement or the number of spawners is typically estimated by counting the number of nests on the spawning grounds. One issue with evaluating steelhead populations is that there have been high levels of hatchery production, and hatchery fish may contribute to spawning. If hatchery fish are not separated from wild fish, this makes it difficult to determine the status of the wild populations.

Because the abundance of steelhead can vary greatly from year to year, we evaluated abundance over the most recent 15-year period. In this assessment, abundance is scored as very low concern if wild populations have met their escapement goals more than 75% of the time over the last 15 years, as low concern if they have met escapement goals more than 50% of the time, as moderate concern if escapement goals have not been determined or if hatchery fish compound the interpretation of the wild population status, and as high concern if populations are failing to meet escapement goals more than 50% of the time. In most rivers, the winter steelhead populations have been meeting their escapement goals at least 50% of the time; however, in some cases, hatchery fish are included in the abundance estimates. In all rivers, there is a lack of information on summer steelhead abundance. Therefore, abundance for most rivers was assessed as moderate concern. The Chehalis River and Hoh River were the only rivers with populations that were not meeting their escapement goals at least 50% of the time, so were assessed as high concern.

There are no estimates of fishing mortality for any of the steelhead populations; when assessing fishing mortality, we considered short- and long-term abundance trends. Populations with stable or increasing abundances would suggest that fishing is occurring at sustainable levels, while populations experiencing significant declines in escapement could signal that overfishing is occurring. Fishing mortality was therefore scored as low concern if the majority of populations are stable or increasing, as moderate concern if abundance trends were variable or not available, and as high concern if the majority of populations are experiencing large declines. For the rivers assessed in this report, steelhead escapement trends were either variable or not available, so fishing mortality on steelhead was considered uncertain and of moderate concern.

Criterion 1 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor 1.1 - Inherent Vulnerability Low—The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 0-35, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it resilient to fishing, (e.g., early maturing). Medium—The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 36-55, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make it neither particularly vulnerable nor resilient to fishing, (e.g., moderate age at sexual maturity (5-15 years), moderate maximum age (10-25 years), moderate maximum size, and middle of food chain). High—The FishBase vulnerability score for species is 56-100, OR species exhibits life history characteristics that make is particularly vulnerable to fishing, (e.g., long-lived (>25 years), late maturing (>15 years), low reproduction rate, large body size, and top-predator). Note: The FishBase vulnerability scores is an index of the inherent vulnerability of marine fishes to fishing based on life history parameters: maximum length, age at first maturity, longevity, growth rate, natural mortality rate, fecundity, spatial behaviors (e.g., schooling, aggregating for breeding, or consistently returning to the same sites for feeding or reproduction) and geographic range.

11 Factor 1.2 - Abundance 5 (Very Low Concern)—Strong evidence exists that the population is above target abundance level (e.g., biomass at maximum sustainable yield, BMSY) or near virgin biomass. 4 (Low Concern)—Population may be below target abundance level, but it is considered not overfished 3 (Moderate Concern) —Abundance level is unknown and the species has a low or medium inherent vulnerability to fishing. 2 (High Concern)—Population is overfished, depleted, or a species of concern, OR abundance is unknown and the species has a high inherent vulnerability to fishing. 1 (Very High Concern)—Population is listed as threatened or endangered.

Factor 1.3 - Fishing Mortality 5 (Very Low Concern)—Highly likely that fishing mortality is below a sustainable level (e.g., below fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield, FMSY), OR fishery does not target species and its contribution to the mortality of species is negligible (≤ 5% of a sustainable level of fishing mortality). 3.67 (Low Concern)—Probable (>50%) chance that fishing mortality is at or below a sustainable level, but some uncertainty exists, OR fishery does not target species and does not adversely affect species, but its contribution to mortality is not negligible, OR fishing mortality is unknown, but the population is healthy and the species has a low susceptibility to the fishery (low chance of being caught). 2.33 (Moderate Concern)—Fishing mortality is fluctuating around sustainable levels, OR fishing mortality is unknown and species has a moderate-high susceptibility to the fishery and, if species is depleted, reasonable management is in place. 1 (High Concern)—Overfishing is occurring, but management is in place to curtail overfishing, OR fishing mortality is unknown, species is depleted, and no management is in place. 0 (Critical)—Overfishing is known to be occurring and no reasonable management is in place to curtail overfishing.

RAINBOW TROUT (STEELHEAD) Factor 1.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

WASHINGTON/CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Medium FishBase assigned a medium vulnerability to fishing score of 36 out of 100 to steelhead (Froese and Pauly 2014). Steelhead grows to a maximum size of 120 cm and can live to 11 years of age. It reaches sexual maturity around 15 cm and 3 years of age. Steelhead, like other salmon, has a complex life history. It hatches in freshwaters, migrates to ocean waters where it spends part of its life, then returns to freshwater streams and rivers to reproduce (often to the same river where it was born). There are two reproductive types: summer-run steelhead enter freshwater while still immature between May and October, and winter-run steelhead mature while in the ocean and enter freshwater streams between November and April. Steelhead is a demersal egg layer. A female creates a nest, called a "redd," and eggs are placed within the nest. A steelhead produces between 700 and 4,000 eggs per spawning event. Steelhead can spawn multiple times, which is different than most Pacific salmon that spawn once and die (NMFS 2014a). Steelhead is a high level predator in the food chain (Froese and Pauly 2014). The diet of steelhead changes as they grow. Young

12 steelhead feed primarily on zooplankton, while adults feed on a mix of insects, mollusks (e.g., snails, squid), crustaceans (e.g., shrimp/prawns), fish eggs, minnows, and other small fish (NMFS 2014a). These life history attributes also support a medium vulnerability to fishing score.

Factor 1.2 - Abundance

WASHINGTON/CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) High Concern There are two populations of steelhead in the Chehalis River: summer and winter. No escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) has been set for the summer steelhead population and no abundance information is available. For the winter population, managers have set an escapement goal of 2,700 natural spawners per year. From 1997–2013 (no data for 2009 and 2010), this population only met its escapement goal five times, or 33% of the time (WDFW 2014a). For the winter population, hatchery production is integrated with wild production, and escapement estimates may include both hatchery and wild fish. Because the winter population has failed to meet its escapement goal the majority of the time, we have awarded a "high" concern score. Rationale:

Figure 1 Chehalis Winter Steelhead spawner escapement (blue line) relative to the escapement goal (black line).

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) High Concern There are two populations of steelhead in the Hoh River: summer and winter. No escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) has been set for the summer steelhead population, and there has been limited monitoring of the abundance of this population. The winter

13 population has an escapement goal of 2,400 natural spawners. This escapement goal was set based on the average of the escapement goal suggested by Washington State (2,900) and the escapement goal suggested by the Hoh Tribe (1,900) (US v. Washington 2004). This population has failed to meet the established spawner escapement goal eight times, or 53% of the time, over the past 15 years (2001– 2016); however, if the more conservative escapement estimate produced by Washington State of 2,900 steelhead were used, the population would have only met its goal five times, or 33% of the time, over the past 15 years (figure 2)(WDFW 2017).

The Chalaat Creek hatchery run by the Hoh tribe releases winter steelhead into this river (WCSSP 2013b). The large hatchery releases into this river may decrease the fitness of natural steelhead and lead to a decrease in productivity of wild steelhead populations (Araki et al. 2009) (Chicolte 2004) (Kostow and Zhou 2006) (Chicolte et al. 2011). But escapement is estimated in a way that ensures that estimates are based on wild fish only.

We have awarded a "high" concern score because escapement of the winter steelhead has been below the management goal for more than 50% of the last 15 years and the status of summer steelhead is unknown. Rationale:

Figure 2 Figure 2: Wild escapement of winter steelhead in the Hoh River from 1979 to 2016. Red line represents the escapement goal of 2400 fish. From unpublished data from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (2017).

14 WASHINGTON/HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There are two steelhead populations in the Humptulips River: summer and winter. No escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) has been set for the Humptulips summer steelhead population, and there has been no monitoring of the abundance of this population. The Humptulips winter population has an escapement goal of 1,600 natural spawners. The estimated total natural spawners have been above this escapement goal nine times, or 60% of the time, over the past 15 years (1999–2013); however, the natural spawner estimates may include hatchery fish. The Humptulips Hatchery provides steelhead to this river (WDFW 2014a). This hatchery releases around 30,000 juvenile summer steelhead and 125,000 winter steelhead annually (WDFW 2014m). We have awarded a "moderate" concern score due to the unknown abundance of the summer population and because spawning estimates for the winter population may include hatchery fish. Rationale:

Figure 3 Humptulips Winter Steelhead spawner escapement (blue line) relative to the escapement goal (black line).

WASHINGTON/QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There are two steelhead populations in the Queets River: summer and winter. No escapement goals (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) have been defined for either population. There is no available abundance information for the summer population. For the winter population, the number of natural spawners has varied from 1,100 to 4,900 over the period 1980–2014, with peaks occurring in 1980, 1994, 2004, and 2006 (WDFW 2014a). The Salmon River hatchery provides hatchery steelhead to this river. The introduction of hatchery steelhead could influence population abundance by decreasing the productivity of wild steelhead (Araki et al. 2009) (Chicolte 2004) (Kostow and Zhou 2006) (Chicolte et al. 2011). Because abundance relative to target goals is not known and steelhead has a medium vulnerability to fishing, we have awarded a "moderate" concern score.

15 Rationale:

Figure 4 Queets Winter Steelhead spawner escapement (blue line). No escapement goal has been established for this population.

WASHINGTON/QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern Fishing for steelhead occurs in the main stream of the Quillayute River and in the lower reaches of the Bogachiel River. There are two steelhead populations in the main stream Quillayute/Bogachiel River: summer and winter. No escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) has been set for the Quillayute summer steelhead population, and there has been limited monitoring of the abundance of this population. The winter population has an escapement goal of 1,127 fish. The number of natural-origin spawners for the main stream Quillayute/Bogachiel population has been above this established escapement goal in most years since 1978, except for 1992 and 2009. There is an also an escapement goal of 5,900 for the entire Quillayute River basin, which has been met in most years.

The Bogachiel Hatchery provides steelhead to this river (WDFW 2014a). This hatchery produced around 50,000 juvenile summer steelhead and 150,000 juvenile winter steelhead annually (WDFW 2014n). The goal is for segregated harvest of hatchery and wild fish. Goals to reduce the percent of hatchery fish on the spawning grounds have been established, but these goals are currently not being met. The presence of hatchery fish on the spawning ground could impact population abundances by reducing the productivity of natural steelhead (Chicolte 2004) (Chicolte et al. 2011) (Kostow and Zhou 2006).

Although the wild winter steelhead population is meeting its escapement goal, the abundance of the summer population is unknown, so a "moderate" concern is awarded. Rationale:

16 Figure 5 Quillayute/Bogachiel Winter Steelhead spawner escapement (blue line) relative to the escapement goal (black line).

WASHINGTON/QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There are three populations of steelhead in the Quinault River: summer, lower winter, and upper winter. No escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) has been set for the summer population and no abundance information is available. There is also no escapement goal for the lower winter population, but estimates of natural origin spawners have been declining over time. Large numbers of hatchery fish (winter population) have been released into the lower Quinault River and Lake Quinault and likely contribute to spawning (WDFW 2014a). This mixing could negatively affect the wild population (Chicolte 2004) (Chicolte et al. 2011). The escapement goal for the upper winter population is 1,200 fish. Estimates of total natural spawners were mostly above this level from 1990–2007, except for 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1999; however, no spawner estimates are available for the years since 2007 (WDFW 2014a). Because abundance levels relative to target conservation goals are uncertain for all populations, and steelhead has a medium vulnerability to fishing, we have awarded a "moderate" concern score. Rationale:

17 Figure 6 Lower Quinault Winter Steelhead spawner escapement (blue line). No escapement goal has been established.

Figure 7 Upper Quinault Winter Steelhead spawner escapement (blue line) relative to the escapement goal (black line).

Factor 1.3 - Fishing Mortality

WASHINGTON/CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There is no information on abundance trends for the Chehalis River summer steelhead population. For the Chehalis winter steelhead population, abundance was variable from 1993–2008. There were no spawner abundance estimates for the years 2009 and 2010, but from 2011–2013, the number of natural spawners has increased slightly (WDFW 2014a). Total tribal catches of steelhead in this river have ranged from 245 to 6,553 fish per year since 2000 (WDFW 2014g). During 2014, the Quinault Indian Nation caught 540 hatchery and 326 wild steelhead in this river (WDFW 2015f).

18 Given that the winter steelhead population has failed to meet its spawner escapement goal in most years and abundance has been variable, it is unclear if current fishing levels on steelhead in this river are sustainable; however, management measures are in place. We have therefore awarded a "moderate" concern score. Rationale: Abundance trend:

Figure 8 Chehalis Winter Steelhead spawner escapement trend 1993–2013.

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There is no information on abundance trends for Hoh River summer steelhead. For the Hoh winter population, total spawner abundance has shown a small decline over the years, while spawner escapement has been quite variable from year to year (see graphs in the Detailed Rationale section) (WDFW 2014a). Annual tribal catches of steelhead by the Hoh tribe have varied from 731 to 3,720 fish from 2000 to 2013 (WDFW 2014g). During 2014, 919 hatchery and 1,347 wild steelhead were caught by Hoh tribal fisheries (WDFW 2015f). Because abundance trends are unknown for the summer population and have largely been variable for the winter population, we consider fishing mortality a "moderate" concern. Rationale: Steelhead abundance trends: Note that run size refers to the number of steelhead estimated to have returned to the river to spawn, while escapement refers to the number of steelhead that escaped capture in the fishery and actually spawned.

19 Figure 9 Hoh Winter Steelhead spawner run size trend 1976–2014.

Figure 10 Hoh Winter Steelhead spawner escapement trend 1976–2014.

WASHINGTON/HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There is no information on abundance trends for the Humptulips River summer steelhead population. For the Humptulips winter steelhead population, abundance has shown an overall decline since the 1970s; however, most of this decline occurred during the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. Since the mid-1990s, abundance has been variable and shown an small increase (WDFW 2014a). The Quinault Indian Nation catches of steelhead in the Humptulips River have varied between 132 and 904 fish per year since 2000 (WDFW 2014g). During 2014, 285 hatchery and 291 wild steelhead were caught in Quinault Indian Nation tribal fisheries (WDFW 2015f). Because abundance trends are unknown or variable for Humptulips River steelhead, we consider fishing mortality a "moderate" concern.

20 Rationale: Steelhead long and short-term abundance trends:

Figure 11 Humptulips Winter Steelhead spawner escapement trend 1979–2013.

Figure 12 Humptulips Winter Steelhead spawner escapement trend 1997–2013.

WASHINGTON/QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There is no information on abundance trends for the Queets River summer steelhead population. For the Queets winter steelhead population, the number of total natural spawners has varied widely since the mid- to late 1990s, with peaks occurring in 2004 and 2006. There has been a small overall decline in abundance since

21 1980 (see the Detailed Rationale section for details). The Quinault Indian Nation catches of steelhead in this river have varied between 1,918 and 7,304 fish from 2000 to 2013 (WDFW 2014g). During 2014, 512 hatchery and 1,637 wild steelhead were caught by tribal fisheries (WDFW 2015f). Because it is unclear if fishing levels on Queets River steelhead are sustainable, we have awarded a "moderate" concern score. Rationale: Abundance trend:

Figure 13 Queets Winter Steelhead spawner escapement trend 1980–2014.

WASHINGTON/QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There is no information on abundance trends for Quillayute River summer steelhead. Abundances of winter steelhead in the main stream Quillayute/Bogachiel and in the Quillayute basin as a whole have varied greatly over time (see graphs in the Detailed Rationale section). Overall abundance has remained at a medium to high level, staying above the escapement goal in nearly all years (WDFW 2014a). From 2000 to 2013, the Quileute tribe has caught between 3,988 and 11,546 steelhead per year in this river (WDFW 2014g). During 2014, 758 hatchery and 2,108 wild steelhead were caught by Quileute tribal fisheries (WDFW 2015f). Because of the limited information on the summer population, we have awarded a "moderate" concern score. Rationale: Steelhead abundance trends: Note that run size refers to the number of steelhead estimated to have returned to the river to spawn, while escapement refers to the number of steelhead that escaped capture in the fishery and actually spawned.

22 Figure 14 Quillayute Basin Winter Steelhead spawner run size trend 1980–2014. (These numbers are based on the entire Quillayute Basin.)

Figure 15 Quillayute/Bogachiel Winter Steelhead spawner escapement trend 1978–2014.

WASHINGTON/QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There is no information on abundance trends for the Quinault River summer steelhead population. Abundance of Lower Quinault winter steelhead has overall shown a declining trend since the 1980s, but appears to have stabilized in more recent years; however, no data are available for the years since 2007. Abundance of Upper Quinault winter steelhead has shown a small increasing trend over time, but again no data are available for the years since 2007 (WDFW 2014a). Tribal catches of steelhead are high in this river, ranging from 7,229 to 11,480 fish per year from 2000 to 2013 (WDFW 2014g). During 2013, 5,080 hatchery and 1,956 wild steelhead were caught by the Quinault Indian Nation Tribe (WDFW 2015f). We have awarded a "moderate" concern score to account for the various population trends and limited data in recent years.

23 Rationale: Steelhead abundance trends: Note that run size refers to the number of steelhead estimated to have returned to the river to spawn, while escapement refers to the number of steelhead that escaped capture in the fishery and actually spawned.

Figure 16 Quinault Winter Steelhead spawner run size trend 1980–2004.

Figure 17 Lower Quinault Winter Steelhead spawner escapement trend 1978–2007.

24 Figure 18 Upper Quinault Winter Steelhead spawner escapement trend 1978–2007.

25 Criterion 2: Impacts on other species

All main retained and bycatch species in the fishery are evaluated in the same way as the species under assessment were evaluated in Criterion 1. Seafood Watch® defines bycatch as all fisheries-related mortality or injury to species other than the retained catch. Examples include discards, endangered or threatened species catch, and ghost fishing.

To determine the final Criterion 2 score, the score for the lowest scoring retained/bycatch species is multiplied by the discard rate score (ranges from 0-1), which evaluates the amount of non-retained catch (discards) and bait use relative to the retained catch. The Criterion 2 rating is determined as follows:

Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and ≤3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score ≤2.2=Red or High Concern

Rating is Critical if Factor 2.3 (Fishing Mortality) is Crtitical

Criterion 2 Summary Only the lowest scoring main species is/are listed in the table and text in this Criterion 2 section; a full list and assessment of the main species can be found in Appendix A.

RAINBOW TROUT (STEELHEAD) - WASHINGTON/CHEHALIS RIVER - DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Subscore: 2.159 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 2.159 Inherent Species Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Green sturgeon 1.00:High 2.00:High Concern 2.33:Moderate Red Concern (2.159) Coho salmon 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Concern Green Concern (3.318)

RAINBOW TROUT (STEELHEAD) - WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER - DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Subscore: 1.526 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.526 Inherent Species Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Bull trout 1.00:High 1.00:Very High 2.33:Moderate Red Concern Concern (1.526) Chinook salmon 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 2.33:Moderate Yellow Concern Concern (2.644) Coho salmon 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Concern Green Concern (3.318)

RAINBOW TROUT (STEELHEAD) - WASHINGTON/HUMPTULIPS RIVER - DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS)

26 Subscore: 2.159 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 2.159 Inherent Species Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Green sturgeon 1.00:High 2.00:High Concern 2.33:Moderate Red Concern (2.159) Coho salmon 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Concern Green Concern (3.318)

RAINBOW TROUT (STEELHEAD) - WASHINGTON/QUEETS RIVER - DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Subscore: 1.526 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.526 Inherent Species Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Bull trout 1.00:High 1.00:Very High 2.33:Moderate Red Concern Concern (1.526) Coho salmon 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Concern Green Concern (3.318)

RAINBOW TROUT (STEELHEAD) - WASHINGTON/QUILLAYUTE RIVER - DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Subscore: 3.318 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 3.318 Inherent Species Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Chinook salmon 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Concern Green Concern (3.318) Coho salmon 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Concern Green Concern (3.318)

RAINBOW TROUT (STEELHEAD) - WASHINGTON/QUINAULT RIVER - DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Subscore: 1.526 Discard Rate: 1.00 C2 Rate: 1.526 Inherent Species Vulnerability Abundance Fishing Mortality Subscore Bull trout 1.00:High 1.00:Very High 2.33:Moderate Red Concern Concern (1.526) Coho salmon 2.00:Medium 3.00:Moderate 3.67:Low Concern Green Concern (3.318)

The tribal fisheries targeting steelhead may catch other salmon species; however, other salmon species are not considered traditional "bycatch" because they are also retained. Coho salmon is the most common salmon species caught alongside steelhead because their run times overlap somewhat {WDFW 2015c} {WDFW 2015g}. Chinook salmon are also caught alongside steelhead in the Quillayute and Hoh Rivers. Although several coho

27 and Chinook evolutionary significant units (ESUs) are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), the coho and Chinook caught in the steelhead fisheries assessed in this report are not from ESA-listed populations {NMFS 2015b} {NMFS 2015c}.

Bull trout, which is listed as "Threatened" throughout their U.S. range under the Endangered Species Act, is incidentally captured in the Chehalis, Hoh, Queets, and Quinalut Rivers {USFW and OFWO 2015} {USFWS 2015}. The impact of steelhead fisheries on these populations is uncertain. In the steelhead fisheries in the Chehalis and Humptulips Rivers, there may be incidental catches of white sturgeon and green sturgeon {QIN 2014a} {WDFG 2014e} {BRT 2005}. White sturgeon is not a species of concern and the steelhead fisheries are not a major contributor to fishing mortality on this species, so it was not included in this report. But green sturgeon is a species of concern, so it has been included in the report. The impact of the steelhead fisheries on green sturgeon is unclear, but all green sturgeon must be released if caught. Bull trout or green sturgeon is the limiting species in the majority of the assessed steelhead fisheries.

Criterion 2 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability (same as Factor 1.1 above)

Factor 2.2 - Abundance (same as Factor 1.2 above)

Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality (same as Factor 1.3 above)

BULL TROUT Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) High FishBase has assigned a high vulnerability to fishing score of 66 out of 100 to bull trout (Froese and Pauly 2014). Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) is a member of the family Salmonidae and is native to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, and western Canada. Bull trout displays both resident and migratory life history strategies. Resident bull trout live in the same stream for their entire lives, whereas migratory forms move to large bodies of water (e.g., a lake, river, or sometimes saltwater) to overwinter, then back to small streams to reproduce. Bull trout typically reaches sexual maturity between 58 and 86 cm in length and between 4 and 7 years of age (Froese and Pauly 2014) (USFWS 2015). Like salmon and steelhead, it lays eggs in nests or "redds" (USFWS 2015). Bull trout is highly reliant on specific habitat requirements, including water less than 15 degrees C (59 degrees F), complex stream habitats, overhanging banks, and a way to connect between foraging, migration, and overwintering (FMO) habitats downstream and spawning and rearing (SR) habitats upstream (USFWS 2015). It may grow to 100 cm in length (Froese and Pauly 2015), and commonly lives for 10 years and occasionally for 20 years or more (USFWS 2015). Bull trout is a top level predator, feeding on a variety of fish species (Froese and Pauly 2015).

28 Factor 2.2 - Abundance

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Very High Concern In 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed bull trout throughout its U.S. range as "Threatened" under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (FR 1999). At listing time, bull trout populations were estimated to have been removed from around 60% of their natural range (USFWS 2015). A status review of bull trout in 2008 concluded that the "Threatened" listing remained warranted. Six recovery units have been defined for bull trout. Bull trout in western Washington and Oregon, including Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula, and the Lower Columbia River, are part of the Coastal Recovery Unit. Within this recovery unit, 21 core areas have been identified, including the Hoh, Queets, and Quinault Rivers. The Quinault River, along with three other rivers in the Coastal Recovery Unit, have been identified as bull trout strongholds, which means that they are considered to have the most stable and abundant populations. The Chehalis River is considered a foraging, migration, and overwinter (FMO) area. FMOs are considered critical to the life history behavior of bull trout within the recovery areas (USFSW and OFWO 2015). We have awarded a score of "very high" concern based on the ESA listing.

Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern Identified threats to bull trout in the Hoh, Queets, and Quinault Rivers include habitat impairment or degradation and incidental catches in commercial and recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries (USFSW and OFWO 2015) (USFWS 2015). The amount of bull trout caught in steelhead gillnet fisheries in these rivers is unknown, but one study reported that 102 bull trout were incidentally killed in Chinook salmon and winter steelhead gillnet fisheries in the Hoh River over a 6-month period (January–June) in 2002 (Brenkman et al. 2007). Bull trout's life history characteristics, which can include migrations between fresh and salt water, are believed to make it highly susceptible to capture in salmon and steelhead fisheries (Brenkman et al. 2007). Because current fishing mortality rates on bull trout are unknown, but a recovery plan has been developed to address both habitat and fisheries threats to bull trout (USFSW and OFWO 2015) (USFWS 2015), a "moderate" concern score is awarded.

Factor 2.4 - Discard Rate

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) < 20% Discard rates in tribal steelhead fisheries are expected to be very low. Although some other salmon species are captured, they are almost always retained (Alverson et al. 1996).

29 CHINOOK SALMON Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Medium FishBase assigned a high vulnerability to fishing score of 68 out of 100 to Chinook salmon (Froese and Pauly 2014). But the life history characteristics of Chinook salmon suggest that it has only a medium level of vulnerability to fishing. Chinook salmon reaches sexual maturity around 90 cm (3 ft) in length and between 2 and 7 years of age. Chinook salmon can grow to a maximum length of 150 cm (5 ft) and can live up to 9 years of age. Like other salmon, Chinook salmon begins life in freshwaters, spending up to 2 years there before migrating to ocean waters to feed and mature. It then spends 1 to 6 years in the ocean before returning to freshwaters to spawn. Similar to other salmon species, there are several seasonal spawning "runs" (i.e., spring, fall, winter, summer) of migrating Chinook from the ocean to freshwaters. Chinook salmon lay eggs on gravel bottoms. It spawns only once and then dies. Chinook salmon is a high level predator in the ecosystem (NMFS 2014d), feeding primarily on other fish as adults (Froese and Pauly 2014). We have rated this factor as "medium" based on the life history attribute method (see Detailed Rationale below) and expert input. Justification:

Table 1: Results from the Seafood Watch fish vulnerability rubric (SFW criteria document, pg. 4). Attribute scores can range from 1 to 3 with higher scores signifying more resilient life history attributes.

Vulnerability attribute Category Score Average age at maturity 5–15 years 2 Average maximum age < 10 years 3 Fecundity > 100 eggs N/A Average maximum size 100–300 cm 2 Average size at maturity 40–200 cm 2 Reproductive strategy demersal egg layer 2 Trophic level > 3.25 1 Average Score Medium Vulnerability 2

Species with average attribute scores between 1.80 and 2.43 are deemed to have a "medium" vulnerability.

Factor 2.2 - Abundance

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There are two populations of Chinook salmon in the Hoh River: fall and spring/summer. The escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) for the fall Chinook population is either 1,200 fish or 60% of the spawning run size, whichever is larger. Estimates of natural spawners have been above the escapement goal since 1973 (PFMC 2014) (WDFW 2014k).

30 The escapement goal for the spring/summer population is 900 fish or 60% of the spawning run size, whichever is greater. The spring/summer population has met its escapement goal 53% of the time over the last 15 years (1999–2014; 2010 data were not available). But since 2007, it has only met its escapement goal once (WDFW 2014k) (PFMC 2014). The recent 3-year mean escapement for this population is above the minimum abundance reference point of 450 fish; therefore, the population is not considered overfished {PFMC 2014).

Although the Chinook populations in this river are meeting their escapement goals > 50% of the time, it is unclear if spawner escapement estimates include hatchery fish; we have therefore awarded a "moderate" concern score.

WASHINGTON/QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There are two populations of Chinook salmon in the Quillayute River: fall and spring/summer. The escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) for all combined fall Chinook populations in the Quillayute basin is 3,000 fish or 60% of the spawning run size, whichever is greater (WDFW 2014k) (PFMC 2014). This escapement goal was met in all years from 1999–2013 (PFMC 2014), but the number of spawners was slightly below the escapement goal for 2014 (WDFW 2014k).

All spring Chinook are considered hatchery fish and all summer Chinook are considered natural fish. The escapement goal for all combined natural summer Chinook populations in the Quillayute basin is 1,200 natural spawning fish. This goal is based on the spawner abundance necessary to achieve the maximum sustainable yield. From 1999–2013, this goal has only been met in 2001 and 2003. But the recent 3-year mean escapement (2011–2013) exceeds the threshold abundance level (600 fish), so spring/summer Quillayute Chinook are not considered overfished (PFMC 2014) (WDFW 2014k).

The Sol Duc Hatchery provides Chinook salmon to the Quillayute River basin (WCSSP 2013b). Natural escapement estimates for the fall and summer populations may include hatchery strays, as well as broodstock taken for the spring/summer population (PFMC 2014). We have awarded a "moderate" concern score because the spring/summer population has not met its escapement goal and because escapement estimates include hatchery fish.

Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern The Hoh tribe caught 331 spring Chinook (264 hatchery origin and 67 natural origin) in the Hoh River during 2014 (PFMC 2015). The spring/summer Chinook population has been in decline and has only met its escapement goal once since 2007 (WDFW 2014k) (PFMC 2014). This suggests that fishing mortality on spring/summer Chinook in this river may be unsustainable.

Based on an estimated terminal spawning run size of 2,448 adults for the fall fishery, the allowed terminal harvest rate was 36.2%. The Indian fishery targeted 23.96% of the terminal run but caught slightly less (586 and 541 fish, respectively). Fishing mortality estimates specific to this river are not available, but fishing estimates on fall Chinook from the Queets River have been used as a proxy. Fishing levels were considered sustainable from 2009–2012, but no estimates of fishing mortality have been available since (PFMC 2015).

31 The number of natural spawners has fluctuated greatly from year to year (WDFW 2014k).

Although fishing levels on the fall Chinook population are likely sustainable, we have awarded a "moderate" concern score because of the declining trend in abundance for the spring/summer population.

WASHINGTON/QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Low Concern The Quileute Tribe caught 513 spring, 227 summer, and 4,122 fall Chinook salmon in this river during 2014. Fishing mortality estimates are not available for this specific river basin, but fishing mortality rates for Chinook in the Queets River have been used as a proxy. Fishing levels on Quillayute spring/summer Chinook and fall Chinook are believed to be sustainable, though fishing mortality estimates for the most recent years are not available (PFMC 2015). Abundance trends for the fall population have been relatively stable since the mid- to late 1990s. Abundance for the spring/summer population has fluctuated, but abundance estimates since the mid-2000s have generally been lower than those in the late 1990s/early 2000s {PFMC 2014). We have awarded a "low" concern score.

Factor 2.4 - Discard Rate

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) < 20% Discard rates in tribal steelhead fisheries are expected to be very low. Although some other salmon species are captured, they are almost always retained (Alverson et al. 1996).

COHO SALMON Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

32 Factor 2.2 - Abundance

WASHINGTON/CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern The Chehalis coho population is considered a mixed population of both wild and hatchery fish. A number of hatchery fish originating from other populations were released into the basin in the 1970s and 1980s.

There is an escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) for the entire Chehalis basin of 28,506 fish. The number of spawners was low in the basin during the 1990s and this escapement goal was rarely achieved. Spawner numbers increased in the early 2000s and the escapement goal was met from 2001–2004. Prior to 2005, the spawner estimates included both natural and hatchery- origin fish. Since 2005, escapement estimates have been calculated separately for natural-origin and hatchery-origin fish. From 2005–2013, the number of natural-origin spawners reached the escapement goal of 28,506 fish four times (2009–2012) (WDFW 2015b). Additionally, the number of natural-origin coho spawners for the entire Grays Harbor Basin (Chehalis and Humptulips Rivers) exceeded the entire Grays Harbor escapement goal in 2011, 2012, and 2013 (PFMC 2014). Overall, the Chehalis Basin coho population has achieved its spawner escapement goal 53% of the time over the last 15 years, but in some years escapement estimates included hatchery fish. We have therefore awarded a "moderate" concern score.

WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There is one population of coho salmon in the Hoh River. The escapement goal (desired number of fish reaching the spawning grounds) for this population is 2,000 to 5,000 fish. This escapement goal is based on estimates of the maximum sustainable yield. Since 1999, the number of natural spawners has exceeded the lower end of the escapement goal in all years except 2006 (WDFW 2015b) (PFMC 2014); however, natural spawner estimates may include hatchery fish. We have awarded a "moderate" concern score.

WASHINGTON/HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern The population of coho in the Humptulips River is considered a mixed one that includes wild fish along with hatchery fishery originating from a number of other populations. The Humptulips hatchery releases hatchery- reared coho into this river. There is an escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) of 6,894 for the Humptulips River. The number of spawners was low in this river during the 1990s and this escapement goal was rarely achieved. Spawner numbers increased in the early 2000s and the escapement goal was met from 2001–2004. No estimates of the number of spawners are available for the years since 2004 (WDFW 2015b). But spawner escapement estimates for the entire Grays Harbor Basin (Chehalis and Humptulips Rivers) have been meeting the basin-wide escapement goal in most years from 2005–2013, and the number of natural-origin coho spawners has exceeded the escapement goal in the most recent 3 years (PFMC 2014). The Grays Harbor population as a whole is not considered overfished; however, recent abundance estimates are not available for the Humptulips River, so we have awarded a "moderate" concern score.

WASHINGTON/QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There is a single population of coho in the Queets River. This population is native, with composite production

33 from hatchery released broodstock (WDFW 2015b). The Salmon River hatchery provides hatchery-reared coho to this river (WCSSP 2013b). The escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) for the Queets basin is 5,800 to 14,500 fish. This escapement goal is based on estimates of the maximum sustainable yield for this population. The lower end of the escapement goal has been met nine times (or 60% of the time) over the last 15 years (1999–2013). The recent 3-year average escapement (2011–2013) was above the limit abundance reference point of 4,350 fish, so the population is not considered overfished (PFMC 2015). But natural spawner estimates include fish taken for hatchery broodstock. We have awarded a "moderate" concern score.

WASHINGTON/QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There are two coho populations in the Quillayute River: a summer population and a fall population. Coho salmon in the Quillayute River are a mix of wild and hatchery-raised fish. The Sol Duc hatchery provides hatchery-produced coho to the Quillayute River (CTC 2013c). The summer population is primarily managed for hatchery production. The escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds) for the fall population is 6,300 to 15,800 fish. The lower end of the escapement goal has been met 12 times, or 80% of the time, over the past 15 years (2000–2014) (PFMC 2015). But natural escapement estimates include fish taken for hatchery broodstock and hatchery strays. We have awarded a "moderate" concern score.

WASHINGTON/QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern There is a single population of coho salmon in the Quinault River. The population is considered a mixed stock, with hatchery adults contributing to the spawning population. There is no escapement goal (desired number of spawners reaching the spawning grounds). The population is primarily managed for hatchery production (WDFW 2015b) (PFMC 2014). We have awarded a "moderate" concern score due to a lack of information on abundance.

Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality

WASHINGTON/CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Low Concern This population is a mix of wild and non-native hatchery fish. Abundance numbers were generally low in the 1990s but increased in the early 2000s and have fluctuated since (WDFW 2015b). Most of the coho salmon catches in this river occur during the fall salmon gillnet fishery. During the 2014 fall salmon fishery, tribal fisheries caught 55,879 coho salmon (WDFW 2014e). Additionally, another 5,474 coho salmon were caught in the non-Indian commercial salmon gillnet fishery in this area. Far fewer catches occur in the targeted steelhead fishery. During the 2014–2015 winter steelhead fishery, 1,139 coho salmon were caught (WDFW 2015c). Fishing mortality rates specific to the Chehalis Basin coho population are not available. But fishing mortality rates for the entire Grays Harbor Basin (Chehalis and Humptulips Rivers) were below the fishing mortality reference point from 2009–2012, indicating that fishing levels were sustainable. No fishing mortality estimates are available for 2013 and 2014 (PFMC 2014). Because fishing levels on this population are likely sustainable and the targeted steelhead fishery likely only contributes to a small percentage of the total coho catch, we have awarded a "low" concern score.

34 WASHINGTON/HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS)

Low Concern Abundance trends of coho salmon in the Hoh River have been variable over time. Peaks occurred in the mid- 1980s and 2001 (WDFW 2015b). Fishing mortality rates for 2013 are not available, but fishing mortality rates prior to 2013 were below the fishing mortality reference point (maximum fishery mortality threshold, MFMT), indicating that fishing levels were sustainable. In 2014, the tribal fishery caught 2,500 wild fish and 150 hatchery-origin fish between September 1 and December 31. The majority of these were not caught during the targeted steelhead fishery (PFMC 2015). Because fishing levels on this population are likely sustainable and the targeted steelhead fishery likely only contributes to a small percentage of the total coho catch, we have awarded a "low" concern score.

WASHINGTON/HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Low Concern This population is a mix of wild and non-native hatchery fish. During the 2014–15 Humptulips winter steelhead fishery, 880 coho were caught (WDFW 2015c). In comparison, during the 2014 fall tribal salmon gillnet fishery, 9,261 coho were caught (WDFW 2014e). Abundance numbers for Humptulips coho were generally low in the 1990s but increased in the early 2000s. No estimates of abundance specific to the Humptulips River are available since 2004. Fishing mortality rates on coho specific to the Humptulips River are not available. But fishing mortality rates for the entire Grays Harbor Basin (Chehalis and Humptulips Rivers) were below the fishing mortality reference point from 2009–2012, indicating that fishing levels were sustainable. No fishing mortality estimates are available for 2013 and 2014 (PFMC 2014). Because fishing levels on this population are likely sustainable and the targeted steelhead fishery likely only contributes to a small percentage of the total coho catch, we have awarded a "low" concern score.

WASHINGTON/QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Low Concern Fishing rates on coho salmon in the Queets River have declined over time, and were below the fishing mortality reference point from 2009–2012, indicating that fishing levels were sustainable. No fishing mortality estimates are available for 2013 or 2014. Abundance of this population has greatly fluctuated over time. Tribal fisheries captured 15,473 coho in this river during 2014 (PFMC 2015). We have awarded a "low" concern score because it is likely that fishing levels on this population are sustainable.

WASHINGTON/QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Low Concern Fishing mortality rates on fall coho salmon in the Quillayute River were below the fishing mortality reference point from 2009–2012, indicating that fishing levels on this population were sustainable. No fishing mortality estimates were available for 2013 or 2014. Abundance of fall coho salmon in this river has been variable over time. The abundance of summer coho has also been variable over time. The summer population is primarily managed for hatchery production. In 2014, the Quileute Tribe caught 27,427 fall coho (12,991 natural coho and 14,436 hatchery coho) and 4,281 (1,256 natural) summer coho (PFMC 2015). Because fishing mortality rates are likely sustainable, we have awarded a "low" concern score.

35 WASHINGTON/QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS)

Low Concern There is no abundance trend information for this population (WDFW 2015b) and there are no estimates of fishing mortality (PFMC 2014). During 2014, 49,780 coho were caught, but only 360 coho were caught during the targeted steelhead fishery (WDFW 2015d). Because the steelhead fishery is not likely to be a significant contributor to mortality of this species, we have awarded a "low" concern score.

Factor 2.4 - Discard Rate

GREEN STURGEON Factor 2.1 - Inherent Vulnerability

WASHINGTON/CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) High FishBase has assigned a high vulnerability to fishing score of 80 out of 100 to green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) (Froese and Pauly 2014). Green sturgeon reaches sexual maturity around 1.6 to 2.4 m in length and 15–17 years of age (Van Eenennaam 2002). The maximum length reached is reported to be 250 cm and it can live up to 70 years of age. Green sturgeon migrates between fresh and salt waters, spawning every 2–5 years in open freshwater. Green sturgeon produces between 60,00 and 140,000 eggs during a spawning event (Moyle et al. 1992) (Moyle 2002). Green sturgeon is a high-level predator within the food chain (Froese and Pauly 2014) (NMFS 2014c).

Factor 2.2 - Abundance

WASHINGTON/CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) High Concern There are two Distinct Population Segments (DPS) of green sturgeon, a northern and southern. The northern DPS spawns in the Klamath and Rogue Rivers and the southern DPS spawns in the Sacramento River. The southern DPS is listed as "Threatened" by the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the northern DPS is listed as a "Species of Concern." Sturgeon from both populations migrate up and down the U.S. West Coast (NMFS 2014b). We have awarded a "high" concern score.

36 Factor 2.3 - Fishing Mortality

WASHINGTON/CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderate Concern Fishing mortality rates for green sturgeon are not known and no fishing target has been defined. Historically, fishing was considered a major threat to this species, and significant numbers of green sturgeon were caught in commercial fisheries. In recent years, the loss of spawning habitat has become the largest threat, although bycatch in fisheries is still considered a threat (NMFS 2014c). The Endangered Species Act status review indicated that local harvest within the Chehalis River basin could be a threat to green sturgeon (BRT 2005). Catches of green sturgeon in Grays Harbor, which includes the Chehalis and Humptulips Rivers, varied from 1 to 198 fish from 1985–2004 (BRT 2005). Since 2006, the retention of green sturgeon has been banned in Grays Harbor. Tribal fisheries operating in the Chehalis River are required to release any incidentally captured green sturgeon. No green sturgeon catches have been reported since the retention ban (WDFW 2015e) (QIN 2014a); however, it is unclear if some green sturgeon are still caught and discarded back to sea unreported. Little is known about post-release survival or mortality rates for green sturgeon (NMFS 2015a). We have awarded a "moderate" concern score because fishing mortality on this species is unknown.

Factor 2.4 - Discard Rate

WASHINGTON/CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON/HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) < 20% Discard rates in tribal steelhead fisheries are expected to be very low. Although some other salmon species are captured, they are almost always retained (Alverson et al. 1996).

37 Criterion 3: Management Effectiveness

Management is separated into management of retained species (harvest strategy) and management of non- retained species (bycatch strategy).

The final score for this criterion is the geometric mean of the two scores. The Criterion 3 rating is determined as follows:

Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and ≤3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score ≤2.2 or either the Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) or Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) is Very High Concern = Red or High Concern

Rating is Critical if either or both of Harvest Strategy (Factor 3.1) and Bycatch Management Strategy (Factor 3.2) ratings are Critical.

Criterion 3 Summary

Harvest Bycatch Region / Method Strategy Strategy Score Washington / Chehalis River / Drift gillnets (driftnets) 3.000 2.000 Yellow (2.449) Washington / Hoh River / Drift gillnets (driftnets) 3.000 2.000 Yellow (2.449) Washington / Humptulips River / Drift gillnets 3.000 2.000 Yellow (driftnets) (2.449) Washington / Queets River / Drift gillnets (driftnets) 3.000 2.000 Yellow (2.449) Washington / Quillayute River / Drift gillnets 3.000 0.000 Yellow (driftnets) (3.000) Washington / Quinault River / Drift gillnets (driftnets) 3.000 2.000 Yellow (2.449)

Criterion 3 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor 3.1 - Harvest Strategy Seven subfactors are evaluated: Management Strategy, Recovery of Species of Concern, Scientific Research/Monitoring, Following of Scientific Advice, Enforcement of Regulations, Management Track Record, and Inclusion of Stakeholders. Each is rated as ‘ineffective,’ ‘moderately effective,’ or ‘highly effective.’

5 (Very Low Concern)—Rated as ‘highly effective’ for all seven subfactors considered 4 (Low Concern)—Management Strategy and Recovery of Species of Concern rated ‘highly effective’ and all other subfactors rated at least ‘moderately effective.’ 3 (Moderate Concern)—All subfactors rated at least ‘moderately effective.’ 2 (High Concern)—At minimum, meets standards for ‘moderately effective’ for Management Strategy and

38 Recovery of Species of Concern, but at least one other subfactor rated ‘ineffective.’ 1 (Very High Concern)—Management exists, but Management Strategy and/or Recovery of Species of Concern rated ‘ineffective.’ 0 (Critical)—No management exists when there is a clear need for management (i.e., fishery catches threatened, endangered, or high concern species), OR there is a high level of Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing occurring.

Factor 3.1 Summary FACTOR 3.1 - MANAGEMENT OF FISHING IMPACTS ON RETAINED SPECIES Region / Method Strategy Recovery Research Advice Enforce Track Inclusion Washington / Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Highly Chehalis River / Drift Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective gillnets (driftnets) Washington / Hoh Moderately N/A Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Highly River / Drift gillnets Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective (driftnets) Washington / Moderately N/A Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Highly Humptulips River / Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Drift gillnets (driftnets) Washington / Queets Moderately N/A Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Highly River / Drift gillnets Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective (driftnets) Washington / Moderately N/A Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Highly Quillayute River / Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Drift gillnets (driftnets) Washington / Moderately N/A Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Highly Quinault River / Drift Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective gillnets (driftnets)

Subfactor 3.1.1 – Management Strategy and Implementation Considerations: What type of management measures are in place? Are there appropriate management goals, and is there evidence that management goals are being met? To achieve a highly effective rating, there must be appropriate management goals, and evidence that the measures in place have been successful at maintaining/rebuilding species.

39 Steelhead fisheries in Washington are co-managed by the state of Washington and Indian tribes, whose rights were established in treaties signed with the federal government in the 1850s. In those treaties, the tribes agreed to allow the peaceful settlement of much of western Washington, and provided the land to do so, in exchange for their continued right to fish, gather shellfish, hunt, and exercise other sovereign rights. A 1974 federal court case (U.S. v. Washington) reaffirmed the tribe's rights to harvest salmon and steelhead, and established them as co-managers of Washington fisheries (WDFW 2014c). All commercial fishing for steelhead is conducted by the Indian tribes, but there are non-tribal recreational fisheries. The state of Washington has a Statewide Steelhead Management Plan (SSMP) to aid in the restoration and maintenance of steelhead populations. The management plan serves as a framework of strategies, policies, and guidelines for collaboration between state and tribal managers to develop regional management plans (WDFW 2008a). There are also a number of "lead entities" guiding steelhead and salmon management in the Washington Coast region, including the North Pacific Coast Lead Entity, the Quinault Indian Nation Lead Entity, the Grays Harbor Lead Entity, and Pacific County Lead Entity (WA 2014). Counties (Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston), tribes (Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Hoh River Tribe, Makah Nation, Quileute Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, and Shoalwater Bay Tribe), cities, ports, state agencies, and concerned citizens are involved in regional management of steelhead and salmon through their local lead entities. The four Lead Entities work together regionally and came together to form the Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Partnership. They are working on the development of a regional plan for salmon and steelhead protection, which will identify common goals, objectives, and strategies for restoration throughout the region. Their vision is that all watersheds in the Washington Coast Region will contain diverse and self-sustaining populations of salmon/steelhead, which are capable of supporting the ecological, cultural, social, and economic needs of human communities. Managers are working to protect and restore steelhead habitats and to ensure that steelhead fisheries and hatchery operations support sustainability goals for wild steelhead populations (WCSSP 2014).

The tribes that fish in the rivers analyzed in this assessment are the Quinault Indian Nation, Quileute Nation, and Hoh Tribe (WDFW 2008c). Each year, tribal managers meet with state managers to plan commercial and recreational steelhead fisheries through the North of Falcon Process (WDFW 2014b). They also work together to estimate the abundance of steelhead to ensure that fishing is occurring at appropriate levels. To evaluate the abundance of steelhead, scientists and managers monitor escapement. Escapement is the number of fish that escape capture in the fishery and actually spawn. Escapement goals are typically aligned with the maximum sustainable yield concept (Gibbons et al. 1985). To control fishing levels on steelhead and ensure adequate escapement, the tribes will implement river-specific management measures. Measures implemented by the Quinualt Indian Nation in the Chehalis, Humptulips, Quinault, and Queets Rivers include pre-set schedules for when fishing is allowed to take place, mesh size and other gear restrictions, area restrictions, and reporting requirements (QIN 2014a) (QIN 2014b) (QIN 2014c) (QIN 2014d) (QIN 2014e) (QIN 2014f). There are also regulations related to the sale of steelhead. Fishers may sell only three steelhead per day directly to consumers, and the rest must be sold to authorized Quinault Nation buyers. The Quileute Nation (QN) develops a fishing schedule each year, which includes opening and closing times, for the Quillayute River (QN 2014) (QN 2014d). All salmon/steelhead fishing is typically closed for 2 weeks in early spring to allow adult steelhead that have just spawned passage back to the ocean (QN 2014). There are no mesh size restrictions for this fishery (QN 2014d). Information on specific management measures by the Hoh Tribe for the Hoh River fisheries was not readily available. The information that is available indicates that the Hoh Tribe requires the use of mesh size restrictions to reduce the capture of steelhead kelts (i.e., after spawning and before returning to the sea) in other salmon fisheries (PFMC 2014).

Steelhead fisheries in the Washington Coastal Region have been maintained at healthier levels than steelhead in other regions of the state, and most populations that have established escapement goals have been meeting those goals. But there remain a number of concerns with steelhead management. Some scientists believe that managing steelhead to achieve maximum sustainable yield is not the best approach, given the species' complex life history characteristics, and that a more updated, holistic approach is needed (Burge et

40 al. 2006). Science has shown in recent years that the health and viability of steelhead populations are determined by abundance, productivity, spatial distribution, and life history diversity (McElhany et al. 2000). Additionally, in some instances, the current escapement goals have been a policy compromise between state and tribal managers, so there are concerns that they may not always be set at the most appropriate biological level (US v. Washington 2004). It is also important to note that escapement goals have not been set for any of the summer steelhead populations assessed in this report, and the current status of the summer populations is unknown. A final concern is the high level of hatchery production. Hatchery fish can reduce the productivity of wild steelhead (Chicolte 2004) (Chicolte et al. 2011), and hatchery fish are often not distinguished from wild fish, which makes it difficult to determine the true status of the wild populations. (Hatchery impacts on wild populations are discussed further in Section 4.3.)

We have awarded a "moderately effective" and not highly effective score because several management regulations are in place for the steelhead fisheries, but management goals have not been determined for all steelhead populations and there remain concerns over the current management system for steelhead.

Subfactor 3.1.2 – Recovery of Species of Concern Considerations: When needed, are recovery strategies/management measures in place to rebuild overfished/threatened/ endangered species or to limit fishery’s impact on these species and what is their likelihood of success? To achieve a rating of Highly Effective, rebuilding strategies that have a high likelihood of success in an appropriate timeframe must be in place when needed, as well as measures to minimize mortality for any overfished/threatened/endangered species.

WASHINGTON / CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderately Effective The winter steelhead population in the Chehalis River has failed to meet spawner escapement goals more than 50% of the time over the past 15 years (WDFW 2014a), which suggests that this population is potentially in a depleted state. Managers have developed plans and regulations to restore and maintain steelhead populations in this region. Additionally, The Quinault Indian Nation has a number of regulations in place to control fishing (QIN 2014a). We have awarded a moderately effective score.

WASHINGTON / HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) N/A No depleted, threatened, or endangered species are targeted/retained in these fisheries.

Subfactor 3.1.3 – Scientific Research and Monitoring Considerations: How much and what types of data are collected to evaluate the health of the population and the fishery’s impact on the species? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, population assessments must be conducted regularly and they must be robust enough to reliably determine the population status.

41 WASHINGTON / CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS)

Moderately Effective Monitoring of steelhead populations is conducted by both the state of Washington and the tribes. To evaluate the status of steelhead, scientists and managers monitor escapement. Escapement is the number of fish that escape capture in the fishery and actually spawn. Managers set escapement goals for steelhead populations based on the number of spawners that are required to maintain a healthy population (information on issues related to the setting of these goals can be found in section 3.1) (WDFW 2008a) (WDFW 2014a) (QN 2014a). Escapement is typically monitored by counting the number of nests on the spawning ground. The escapement data are then used to develop fishing strategies. But for many populations, there is a lack of escapement data, which has hindered their assessment (WDFW 2008a). Escapement data are not available for any of the summer steelhead populations assessed in this report (WDFW 2014a). In addition to monitoring abundance, tribes and the state also monitor the status of steelhead habitats and assess their population structure, to try to identify populations with potential conservation concerns (WDFW 2008a) (QN 2014b). Some tribes also operate steelhead hatcheries. Hatchery production and performance may be measured through several means: number of juveniles released, survival/passage seaward, adult return numbers, juvenile release to adult survival, age and size at return, overall harvest contribution, and spawning ground contribution (WDFW 2014l). But there are often limited data on the number of hatchery fish that contribute to spawning, which can make it difficult to correctly estimate the number of wild spawners. Information on steelhead catches is recorded by individual fishers and reported to the tribes and state. Overall, we consider research and monitoring of steelhead populations "moderately effective."

Subfactor 3.1.4 – Management Record of Following Scientific Advice Considerations: How often (always, sometimes, rarely) do managers of the fishery follow scientific recommendations/advice (e.g. do they set catch limits at recommended levels)? A Highly Effective rating is given if managers nearly always follow scientific advice.

42 Subfactor 3.1.5 – Enforcement of Management Regulations

Considerations: Do fishermen comply with regulations, and how is this monitored? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, there must be regular enforcement of regulations and verification of compliance.

Subfactor 3.1.6 – Management Track Record Considerations: Does management have a history of successfully maintaining populations at sustainable levels or a history of failing to maintain populations at sustainable levels? A Highly Effective rating is given if measures enacted by management have been shown to result in the long-term maintenance of species overtime.

Subfactor 3.1.7 – Stakeholder Inclusion Considerations: Are stakeholders involved/included in the decision-making process? Stakeholders are individuals/groups/organizations that have an interest in the fishery or that may be affected by the management of the fishery (e.g., fishermen, conservation groups, etc.). A Highly Effective rating is given if the management process is transparent and includes stakeholder input.

43 WASHINGTON / CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS)

Highly Effective The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Indian tribes work together to manage steelhead populations (Hunter 2006) (WDFW 2008a). Additionally, the public and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate in steelhead management by attending public meetings or by submitting written comments on proposed plans (WDFW 2008b). Collaboration between the state, tribes, and citizens is also facilitated through science-based research programs, such as the Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Inventory and Assessment Project (SSHIAP). The SSHIAP is a computerized information system that catalogues details about salmon/steelhead habitats, population distributions, and population estimates (WDFW 2014c). Because the management process is transparent and includes stakeholder input, we have awarded a "highly effective" score.

Factor 3.2 - Bycatch Strategy SCORING GUIDELINES Four subfactors are evaluated: Management Strategy and Implementation, Scientific Research and Monitoring, Record of Following Scientific Advice, and Enforcement of Regulations. Each is rated as ‘ineffective,’ ‘moderately effective,’ or ‘highly effective.’ Unless reason exists to rate Scientific Research and Monitoring, Record of Following Scientific Advice, and Enforcement of Regulations differently, these rating are the same as in 3.1.

5 (Very Low Concern)—Rated as ‘highly effective’ for all four subfactors considered 4 (Low Concern)—Management Strategy rated ‘highly effective’ and all other subfactors rated at least ‘moderately effective.’ 3 (Moderate Concern)—All subfactors rated at least ‘moderately effective.’ 2 (High Concern)—At minimum, meets standards for ‘moderately effective’ for Management Strategy but some other factors rated ‘ineffective.’ 1 (Very High Concern)—Management exists, but Management Strategy rated ‘ineffective.’ 0 (Critical)—No bycatch management even when overfished, depleted, endangered or threatened species are known to be regular components of bycatch and are substatntially impacted by the fishery

FACTOR 3.2 - BYCATCH STRATEGY All Region / Method Kept Critical Strategy Research Advice Enforce Washington / Chehalis River / Drift No No Moderately Ineffective Moderately Moderately gillnets (driftnets) Effective Effective Effective Washington / Hoh River / Drift No No Moderately Ineffective Moderately Moderately gillnets (driftnets) Effective Effective Effective Washington / Humptulips River / Drift No No Moderately Ineffective Moderately Moderately gillnets (driftnets) Effective Effective Effective

44 Washington / Queets River / Drift No No Moderately Ineffective Moderately Moderately gillnets (driftnets) Effective Effective Effective Washington / Quillayute River / Drift Yes No Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately gillnets (driftnets) Effective Effective Effective Effective Washington / Quinault River / Drift No No Moderately Ineffective Moderately Moderately gillnets (driftnets) Effective Effective Effective

Subfactor 3.2.2 – Management Strategy and Implementation

Considerations: What type of management strategy/measures are in place to reduce the impacts of the fishery on bycatch species and how successful are these management measures? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, the primary bycatch species must be known and there must be clear goals and measures in place to minimize the impacts on bycatch species (e.g., catch limits, use of proven mitigation measures, etc.).

WASHINGTON / CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderately Effective Bycatch is typically low in tribal steelhead fisheries because the majority of the catch is retained. But bull trout, which is listed as "Threatened" under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, is incidentally captured in steelhead fisheries in the Hoh, Queets, and Quinault Rivers. There is a U.S. recovery plan in place for bull trout that aims to: 1) make bull trout populations stable in six recovery units and make them geographically widespread; 2) manage and remove primary threats to the species; 3) improve our understanding of bull trout; 4) work cooperatively with partners to implement conservation plans; and 5) use adaptive management while implementing the recovery plan (USFWS 2015). Bull trout in the Hoh, Queets, and Quinault Rivers are part of the Coastal Recovery Unit. A recovery unit implementation plan was recently developed for the Coastal Unit, and includes action to address both habitat and fisheries threats to bull trout populations in this region (FR 2015)(USFSW and OFWO 2015). The Chehalis River and Humptulips River winter steelhead fisheries may incidentally capture green sturgeon, a species of concern (QIN 2014a). Green sturgeon are to be released immediately if captured (QIN 2014a) (QIN 2014b). Bycatch management is rated "moderately effective."

Subfactor 3.2.3 – Scientific Research and Monitoring Considerations: Is bycatch in the fishery recorded/documented and is there adequate monitoring of bycatch to measure fishery’s impact on bycatch species? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, assessments must be conducted to determine the impact of the fishery on species of concern, and an adequate bycatch data collection program must be in place to ensure bycatch management goals are being met

45 WASHINGTON / CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS)

Ineffective There have been no reported catches of green sturgeon since retention was banned in 2006. But some green sturgeon may be caught and discarded back to the water unreported (WDFW 2015e). Little is known about post-release survival or mortality rates for green sturgeon (NMFS 2015a). There also appears to be little monitoring of incidental bull trout catches, though this has been identified as a recovery action priority in the Coastal Recovery Unit Implementation Plan for bull trout (USFSW and OFWO 2015). The lack of adequate bycatch monitoring of these species of concern makes it difficult to determine how steelhead fisheries affect their populations; we have therefore rated this factor "ineffective."

WASHINGTON / QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderately Effective The Quileute tribe does conduct monitoring of their fisheries (QN 2014). However, information specific to bycatch monitoring is not available. We have therefore only awarded a moderately effective score.

Subfactor 3.2.4 – Management Record of Following Scientific Advice Considerations: How often (always, sometimes, rarely) do managers of the fishery follow scientific recommendations/advice (e.g., do they set catch limits at recommended levels)? A Highly Effective rating is given if managers nearly always follow scientific advice.

Subfactor 3.2.5 – Enforcement of Management Regulations Considerations: Is there a monitoring/enforcement system in place to ensure fishermen follow management regulations and what is the level of fishermen’s compliance with regulations? To achieve a Highly Effective rating, there must be consistent enforcement of regulations and verification of compliance.

46 WASHINGTON / CHEHALIS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HOH RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / HUMPTULIPS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUEETS RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUILLAYUTE RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) WASHINGTON / QUINAULT RIVER, DRIFT GILLNETS (DRIFTNETS) Moderately Effective See Subfactor 3.1.5 in the Harvest Strategy section for detailed information.

47 Criterion 4: Impacts on the habitat and ecosystem

This Criterion assesses the impact of the fishery on seafloor habitats, and increases that base score if there are measures in place to mitigate any impacts. The fishery’s overall impact on the ecosystem and food web and the use of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) principles is also evaluated. Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management aims to consider the interconnections among species and all natural and human stressors on the environment.

The final score is the geometric mean of the impact of fishing gear on habitat score (plus the mitigation of gear impacts score) and the Ecosystem Based Fishery Management score. The Criterion 2 rating is determined as follows:

Score >3.2=Green or Low Concern Score >2.2 and ≤3.2=Yellow or Moderate Concern Score ≤2.2=Red or High Concern

Rating cannot be Critical for Criterion 4.

Criterion 4 Summary

Gear Type and Mitigation of Gear Region / Method Substrate Impacts EBFM Score Washington / Chehalis River / Drift 4.00: Very Low 0.00: Not Applicable 2.00: High Yellow gillnets (driftnets) Concern Concern (2.828) Washington / Hoh River / Drift gillnets 4.00: Very Low 0.00: Not Applicable 2.00: High Yellow (driftnets) Concern Concern (2.828) Washington / Humptulips River / Drift 4.00: Very Low 0.00: Not Applicable 2.00: High Yellow gillnets (driftnets) Concern Concern (2.828) Washington / Queets River / Drift 4.00: Very Low 0.00: Not Applicable 2.00: High Yellow gillnets (driftnets) Concern Concern (2.828) Washington / Quillayute River / Drift 4.00: Very Low 0.00: Not Applicable 2.00: High Yellow gillnets (driftnets) Concern Concern (2.828) Washington / Quinault River / Drift 4.00: Very Low 0.00: Not Applicable 2.00: High Yellow gillnets (driftnets) Concern Concern (2.828)

Criterion 4 Assessment SCORING GUIDELINES Factor 4.1 - Impact of Fishing Gear on the Habitat/Substrate 5 (None) - Fishing gear does not contact the bottom 4 (Very Low) - Vertical line gear 3 (Low)—Gears that contacts the bottom, but is not dragged along the bottom (e.g. gillnet, bottom longline, trap) and is not fished on sensitive habitats. Bottom seine on resilient mud/sand habitats. Midwater trawl that is known to contact bottom occasionally ( 2 (Moderate)—Bottom dragging gears (dredge, trawl) fished on resilient mud/sand habitats. Gillnet, trap, or bottom longline fished on sensitive boulder or coral reef habitat. Bottom seine except on mud/sand

48 1 (High)—Hydraulic clam dredge. Dredge or trawl gear fished on moderately sensitive habitats (e.g., cobble or boulder) 0 (Very High)—Dredge or trawl fished on biogenic habitat, (e.g., deep-sea corals, eelgrass and maerl) Note: When multiple habitat types are commonly encountered, and/or the habitat classification is uncertain, the score will be based on the most sensitive, plausible habitat type.

Factor 4.2 - Mitigation of Gear Impacts +1 (Strong Mitigation)—Examples include large proportion of habitat protected from fishing (>50%) with gear, fishing intensity low/limited, gear specifically modified to reduce damage to seafloor and modifications shown to be effective at reducing damage, or an effective combination of ‘moderate’ mitigation measures. +0.5 (Moderate Mitigation)—20% of habitat protected from fishing with gear or other measures in place to limit fishing effort, fishing intensity, and spatial footprint of damage caused from fishing. +0.25 (Low Mitigation)—A few measures are in place (e.g., vulnerable habitats protected but other habitats not protected); there are some limits on fishing effort/intensity, but not actively being reduced 0 (No Mitigation)—No effective measures are in place to limit gear impacts on habitats

Factor 4.3 - Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management 5 (Very Low Concern)—Substantial efforts have been made to protect species’ ecological roles and ensure fishing practices do not have negative ecological effects (e.g., large proportion of fishery area is protected with marine reserves, and abundance is maintained at sufficient levels to provide food to predators) 4 (Low Concern)—Studies are underway to assess the ecological role of species and measures are in place to protect the ecological role of any species that plays an exceptionally large role in the ecosystem. Measures are in place to minimize potentially negative ecological effect if hatchery supplementation or fish aggregating devices (FADs) are used. 3 (Moderate Concern)—Fishery does not catch species that play an exceptionally large role in the ecosystem, or if it does, studies are underway to determine how to protect the ecological role of these species, OR negative ecological effects from hatchery supplementation or FADs are possible and management is not place to mitigate these impacts 2 (High Concern)—Fishery catches species that play an exceptionally large role in the ecosystem and no efforts are being made to incorporate their ecological role into management. 1 (Very High Concern)—Use of hatchery supplementation or fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the fishery is having serious negative ecological or genetic consequences, OR fishery has resulted in trophic cascades or other detrimental impacts to the food web.

Factor 4.1 - Impact of Fishing Gear on the Habitat/Substrate

49 Factor 4.2 - Mitigation of Gear Impacts

Factor 4.3 - Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management

Although the salmon and steelhead populations on the Washington Coast are healthier compared to those in other regions, their populations have still greatly declined from historic levels. Habitat declines have historically been considered one of the leading causes of steelhead population declines in Washington (WDFW 2008c). Thus, managers have taken action to study and protect the ecosystem in which these species reside. There are several plans and initiatives that have been developed with the intent of restoring steelhead habitats and managing steelhead using an integrated approach. These include the 21st Century Salmon and Steelhead initiative, developed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Partnership, formed by the four coastal Lead Entities. Both of these initiatives/plans are focused on coordinating decisions on habitat use, hatcheries, and harvest, to ensure healthy salmon and steelhead populations (WCSSP 2013a). But specific policies are not in place to address potential food web effects caused by the removal of steelhead from the ecosystem.

Another large concern is the potential negative impacts of hatchery fish on wild populations. It has become evident over time that hatcheries have contributed to the decline of wild populations through competition, predation, genetic impacts, and disease transfer, rather than aiding in the recovery of populations (Naish et al. 2007) (HSRG 2014). Therefore, in 2000, the U.S. Congress established the Northwest Pacific Hatchery Reform Project. As part of this project, an independent scientific body, the Hatchery Scientific Review Group (HSRG), provided a review of state, tribal, and federal hatchery programs in coastal Washington and Puget Sound and provided specific recommendations on how to improve hatchery management (WDFW 2014i). One of the main goals of the reform plan is to minimize negative ecological impacts (competition, predation, transfer of disease) of hatcheries on natural origin fish (HSRG 2014). Since this work, several hatcheries have taken steps toward implementing the recommendations or standards laid out by the Hatchery Scientific

50 Review Group, such as reducing the number of hatchery fish on the spawning grounds, but many hatcheries are not yet meeting recommended goals (WSRCO 2014) (WDFW 2014p).

Because of the lack of specific policies to account for steelhead's important ecological role in the ecosystem, along with ongoing concerns about the effects of hatchery fish on wild populations, but recognizing that efforts are being made to address these issues, a "high" concern score is awarded.

51 Acknowledgements

Scientific review does not constitute an endorsement of the Seafood Watch® program, or its seafood recommendations, on the part of the reviewing scientists. Seafood Watch® is solely responsible for the conclusions reached in this report.

Seafood Watch would like to thank the Seafood Watch Consulting Researcher and author of this report, Alexia Morgan, as well as six anonymous reviewers for graciously reviewing this report for scientific accuracy.

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59 Appendix A: Review Schedule

This report was updated in March 2017 to include additional data from the 2015-16 which resulted in a change of scoring for Hoh River steelhead abundance in factor 1.2, from moderate concern to high concern. The result of this scoring change was a change in overall recommendation to Avoid.