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Division: Multi-Divisional Collaboration
Title: Review of salmon escapement goals in Bristol Bay, Alaska, 2015.
Author: Erickson, J. W., C. E. Brazil, X. Zhang, T. R. McKinley, and R. A. Clark.
Year: 2015
Report ID: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Manuscript Series No 15-06, Anchorage.
Abstract: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) interdivisional escapement goal (EG) review committee reviewed Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. escapement goals for the major river systems in Bristol Bay. The committee evaluated spawner-return data for sockeye salmon O. nerka in the Alagnak River, Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha in the Alagnak and Naknek rivers, and chum salmon O. keta in the Nushagak River. This review examined each of the existing 15 escapement goals. Two significant events have occurred since the last review 3 years ago. In 2012, the majority of escapement goal recommendations for sockeye salmon presented to the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF) were not adopted. Secondly, an advisory panel was formed and tasked by the BOF to prepare recommendations relating to the development of optimal escapement goals for Bristol Bay salmon. In March 2015, the advisory committee reviewed a draft escapement analysis report and presentations prepared by scientists from the University of Washington School of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences and LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc. that evaluated EGs for Bristol Bay salmon taking into account biological and economic factors. Likewise, since the 2012 Bristol Bay BOF, ADF&G participated in a series of meetings with the advisory committee, processors, and members of the Bristol Bay Science and Research Institute; to evaluate, review and prepare recommendations for Bristol Bay salmon escapement goals that took into account biological and economic factors. During the March 2015 Statewide Miscellaneous Shellfish BOF meeting, ADF&G recommended increasing the upper-bounds of the sockeye salmon goals to those that had been proposed at the 2012 Bristol Bay BOF meeting. The EG review committee recommends the escapement goal for Alagnak River sockeye salmon be modified and that the Chinook salmon escapement goals for Alagnak and Naknek Rivers be discontinued. The committee recommends all other goals remain the same.
Keywords: Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., sockeye salmon O. nerka, Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha, chum salmon O. keta, coho salmon O. kisutch, pink salmon O. gorbuscha, Bristol Bay, Kvichak River, Alagnak River, Naknek River, Egegik River, Ugashik River, Wood River, Igushik River, Nushagak River, Togiak River, spawning escapement goal, Alaska Board of Fisheries.