Fisheries, Subsistence, and Habitat
Publications Searchable Database
Search Again| Division: | Commercial Fish |
| Title: | Characterization of the 2014 salmon runs in the Kuskokwim River based on the test fishery at Bethel. |
| Author: | Lipka, C., and A. Poetter. |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Report ID: | Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series No. 16-07, Anchorage. |
| Abstract: | Annual abundance indices and run timing of adult Chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, sockeye O. nerka, chum O. keta, and coho O. kisutch salmon returning to the Kuskokwim River have been assessed by the Bethel test fishery since 1984. In 2014, the Bethel test fishery operated from June 1 through August 24. A series of timed drifts using 5.375 in (13.6 cm) and 8.0 in (20.3 cm) stretch mesh gillnets were made at 3 stations across the river channel. Each series of drifts began approximately 1 hour following each high tide throughout the fishing season. Mean tidal catch per unit effort (CPUE) was calculated for each species and served as an index of abundance. The cumulative mean tidal CPUE was compared to information from previous years to determine relative salmon abundance and run timing to help direct subsistence and commercial management decisions. The final cumulative CPUE indices for 2014 were: 650 Chinook; 1,367 sockeye; 6,345 chum; and 4,697 coho salmon. Run timing of Chinook salmon indicated 50% passage on June 15; sockeye salmon achieved 50% passage on July 1; chum salmon achieved 50% passage on July 2; and coho salmon achieved 50% passage on August 9. |
| Keywords: | Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, sockeye salmon O. nerka, chum salmon O. gorbuscha, coho salmon O. kisutch, Bethel salmon test fishery, run timing, relative abundance, commercial fishery, subsistence fishery, stocks of concern, escapement, drift gillnet, index, water level, catch per unit effort, CPUE, age, sex, and length, ASL composition, Kuskokwim River. |