Norton Sound-Bering Strait Regional Comprehensive Salmon Plan: Phase II Developed by the Norton Sound-Bering Strait Regional Planning Team July 2015 Table of Contents 7-24-2015 Page List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................................ iv List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................................... iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO ALASKA’S FISHERY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM .................................. 2 1.1 Overview: Authority, Purpose, and Historical Perspective ..................................................................................... 2 1.1.1 Salmon Fishery Enhancement Program ........................................................................................................... 2 1.1.2 Constitution of the State of Alaska .................................................................................................................. 2 1.1.3 Alaska Department of Fish and Game ............................................................................................................. 3 1.1.4 Authority for Salmon Planning ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.1.5 Regional Aquaculture Associations ................................................................................................................. 5 1.1.6 Regional Planning Teams ................................................................................................................................ 6 1.1.7 Regulatory Background ................................................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2: NORTON SOUND/BERING STRAIT REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE SALMON PLAN 1996–2010 ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Background of the NS/BS Regional Comprehensive Salmon Plan 1996–2010 .................................................... 10 2.2 Historical Fishery Use ........................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.1 Subsistence Fisheries ..................................................................................................................................... 12 2.2.2 Commercial Fisheries .................................................................................................................................... 13 2.2.3 Sport Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER 3: AREA OF COVERAGE ...................................................................................................................... 17 3.1 Description and Maps ............................................................................................................................................ 17 3.2 Major Fishery Systems .......................................................................................................................................... 19 3.2.1 Port Clarence ................................................................................................................................................. 19 3.2.2 Subdistrict 1 (Nome) ...................................................................................................................................... 20 3.2.3 Subdistrict 2 (Golovin) .................................................................................................................................. 22 3.2.4 Subdistrict 3 (Elim/Moses Point) .................................................................................................................. 23 3.2.5 Subdistrict 4 (Norton Bay) ............................................................................................................................. 24 3.2.6 Subdistrict 5 (Shaktoolik) .............................................................................................................................. 25 3.2.7 Subdistrict 6 (Unalakleet) .............................................................................................................................. 26 3.2.8 Other .............................................................................................................................................................. 26 3.3 Current Status of Fisheries (1996–2013) ............................................................................................................... 27 3.3.1 Subsistence Fishery........................................................................................................................................ 27 3.3.2 Commercial Fishery (Menard et al. 2012) ..................................................................................................... 29 3.3.2 Sport Fishery .................................................................................................................................................. 30 CHAPTER 4: NORTON SOUND/BERING STRAIT REGIONAL COMPREHESIVE SALMON PLAN – PHASE II ..................................................................................................................................................................... 32 4.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................... 32 i Table of Contents (Continued) Page 4.2 Mission, Goals, and Strategies ............................................................................................................................... 32 4.2.1 Mission Statement.......................................................................................................................................... 32 4.2.2 Phase II Goals ................................................................................................................................................. 33 4.2.3 Strategies to achieve production goals ........................................................................................................... 41 4.3 Public Participation ................................................................................................................................................ 43 CHAPTER 5: PLANNING, PERMITTING, AND REPORTING REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PUBLIC BENEFITS .................................................................................................................................................................. 44 5.1 Fishery Enhancement............................................................................................................................................. 44 5.1.1 Overview of the PNP Permitting Regulations ............................................................................................... 44 5.1.2 Regulation of Broodstock .............................................................................................................................. 46 5.1.3 Regulation of Harvest of Enhanced Fish ....................................................................................................... 46 5.1.4 Performance Review of Hatcheries................................................................................................................ 47 5.1.5 Public Benefit and Hatchery Funding ............................................................................................................ 48 5.2 Habitat Enhancement and Rehabilitation............................................................................................................... 50 5.2.1 Habitat Permit (AS 16.05.871) ...................................................................................................................... 50 5.3 Fishery Research and Education ............................................................................................................................ 51 5.3.1 Fish Resource Permit ..................................................................................................................................... 51 5.3.2 Genetic Policy ................................................................................................................................................ 52 5.3.3 Pathology (fish health) ................................................................................................................................... 55 5.3.4 Salmon Escapement Goal Policy ................................................................................................................... 55 5.3.5 Sustainable Salmon Fishery Policy ................................................................................................................ 56 CHAPTER 6: FISHERY RESTORATION, REHABILITATION, AND ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS ................ 58 6.1 Potential Systems for Projects ............................................................................................................................... 58 6.1.1 Port Clarence District