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• 3121. [Article] Upper Calapooia River Fish Monitoring

  Abstract -- The project will occur on the Upper Calapooia River, between the Holley Bridge (USGS RM 45.5) and the perceived end of anadromy for salmonids (USGS RM 72.9). Historically the Calapooia River ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Upper Calapooia River Fish Monitoring Abstract -- The project will occur on the Upper Calapooia River, between the Holley Bridge (USGS RM 45.5) and the perceived end of anadromy for salmonids (USGS RM 72.9). Historically the Calapooia River marked the upper end of winter steelhead distribution in the Willamette Basin, and a spawning tributary for spring chinook. These are both DPS/ESU listed species, and little is known about their distribution and life history in the Calapooia River. A Rapid Bioassessment was completed in 2015 as well as winter steelhead redd survey in 2017 to try and establish baseline data including spawning gravel abundance/seeding availability, adult escapement, a foundation for long term trend analysis, as well as identify anchor habitats. The survey was also intended to inform ODFW with vital information regarding the possibility of jump-start seeding the Calapooia with Chinook, as well as guide the Calapooia WC’s restoration approach in this vital area. The 2017 return of Winter steelhead over the Willamette Falls (pinch point for all anadromy in the Willamette Valley) was the lowest on record, and the CWC and partners do not feel a proper baseline was established. The CWC proposes to complete 2 years of STW redd Surveys to create a baseline of adult escapement from 2 different cohorts, as well as collect summer water temperature data through the deployment of Hobo temperature loggers. This data can be used to create a reach wide restoration plan that will focus CWC restoration efforts in areas where they will be the most efficient and effective. Partners include ODFW, Weyerhaeuser, US Forest Service, Miners Association, and private residents. Title: Upper Calapooia River Fish Monitoring Abstract -- The project will occur on the Upper Calapooia River, between the Holley Bridge (USGS RM 45.5) and the perceived end of anadromy for salmonids (USGS RM 72.9). Historically the Calapooia River marked the upper end of winter steelhead distribution in the Willamette Basin, and a spawning tributary for spring chinook. These are both DPS/ESU listed species, and little is known about their distribution and life history in the Calapooia River. A Rapid Bioassessment was completed in 2015 as well as winter steelhead redd survey in 2017 to try and establish baseline data including spawning gravel abundance/seeding availability, adult escapement, a foundation for long term trend analysis, as well as identify anchor habitats. The survey was also intended to inform ODFW with vital information regarding the possibility of jump-start seeding the Calapooia with Chinook, as well as guide the Calapooia WC’s restoration approach in this vital area. The 2017 return of Winter steelhead over the Willamette Falls (pinch point for all anadromy in the Willamette Valley) was the lowest on record, and the CWC and partners do not feel a proper baseline was established. The CWC proposes to complete 2 years of STW redd Surveys to create a baseline of adult escapement from 2 different cohorts, as well as collect summer water temperature data through the deployment of Hobo temperature loggers. This data can be used to create a reach wide restoration plan that will focus CWC restoration efforts in areas where they will be the most efficient and effective. Partners include ODFW, Weyerhaeuser, US Forest Service, Miners Association, and private residents. Close

• 3122. [Article] Tenmile Lake Basin Partnership - OWEB Final Report: Grant 217-2051

  Abstract -- Pacific Lamprey are native to the Tenmile Watershed and culturally important to the local Native American Tribes. Likewise, Salmon and Steelhead have both an economic and cultural significance ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Tenmile Lake Basin Partnership - OWEB Final Report: Grant 217-2051 Abstract -- Pacific Lamprey are native to the Tenmile Watershed and culturally important to the local Native American Tribes. Likewise, Salmon and Steelhead have both an economic and cultural significance to the local citizens and Tribes. Pacific Lamprey were historically harvested by the people of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI), but it was unknown if Pacific Lamprey were still present in the Tenmile Watershed. A fish trap was built on Eel Lake by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in 1989 for the purpose of fish capture and rearing. The trap is effective in capturing Salmon and Steelhead but may act as a barrier to the passage of Pacific Lamprey. This monitoring effort was designed to assess the presence/absence of Pacific Lamprey in the Tenmile Watershed, identify migration timing, potential lamprey passage barriers and rearing/spawning habitats, and collect and organize data from Eel Lake Trap on native Coho, Cutthroat, and native/hatchery Steelhead returns and trends. Lamprey larvae (ammocoete) monitoring was conducted in the summer of 2017 using electro-shockers. Shocking occurred on 3 tributaries of Tenmile Lakes (Big Creek, Johnson Creek, and Shutter Creek), and 3 creeks within the Eel Lake basin (Eel Creek, Clear Creek, and Winters Arm Creek). Two species of lamprey were identified, Western Brook (Lampetra richardsoni) and Pacific (Entosphenus tridentatus). Western Brook were found in all sampled Tenmile Lakes Basin streams, but only in the streams above Eel Lake Trap in the Eel Lake Basin. No Western Brook were identified in Eel Creek below the Trap. Pacific Lamprey were found in Johnson Creek and Big Creek in the Tenmile Lakes Basin, and in Eel Creek in the Eel Lake Basin. No Pacific Lamprey were identified above the Eel Lake Trap, suggesting that it may act as a complete passage barrier to that species. In addition, over 200 adult Pacific Lamprey were salvaged from an ODOT culvert enhancement project on Eel Creek near Hwy 101. Pacific Lamprey larvae were identified upstream of this project, but it is likely that it was a partial barrier. Two other ODOT culverts were identified as potential partial lamprey barriers on Eel Cr. Spawning areas for Pacific and Western Brook Lamprey are similar to spawning areas for salmon. Upper reaches of all the Tenmile Lake tributaries have appropriate spawning gravel. Lower stream areas are often high in sediment which is conducive to rearing lamprey larvae. This was confirmed in Johnson creek with high numbers of Pacific Lamprey larvae found at the mouth as it enters South Tenmile Lake. Farther upstream in the Johnson Creek system, larvae were abundant, but much smaller with many being too small to identify (<65mm). Western Brook larvae were found, but no Pacific Lamprey larvae were identified, perhaps amongst those unidentified specimens. Western Brook ammocoetes were also found at the lower site on Johnson Creek, and in Big Creek and Shutter Creek. Pacific Lamprey migration into the watershed is difficult to determine due to the elusive nature of the species and their life cycle trait of migrating in from the ocean in the spring of one year, then holding over until the next spring before spawning. When specimens are captured, it is difficult to determine whether it is a fresh migrant or last year’s holdover. Even if it can be determined which year it is from, it is still difficult to know how long it has been in the system before it was captured. In Phase 2 of this project, we will capture Pacific Lamprey either in traps near the mouth of Eel Cr, or at the lower culverts. This should give us a better sense of migration timing. Native Coho salmon counts at Eel Lake Trap were down significantly from the recorded high at the Trap of 441 in 2012, with only 66 native Coho returning in 2018 (the winter of 2017-2018). The previous 2 years were also low with 2016 and 2017 showing returns of only 53 and 118 respectively. The Coho numbers for most of the Oregon Coast also showed low returns. Hatchery Winter Steelhead counts were 502 for 2018. This compares to a record high of 828 in 2007, 595 in 2016, and 226 in 2017. Returning native Steelhead only numbered 10 for the 2018 season. The average return for Native Steelhead is 24. In 2018, 60 Steelhead were spawned including 2 native males, but no native females. 252 hatchery Steelhead were recycled into Saunders Lake, and 148 into Butterfield Lake. ODFW allocated 25,000 smolts for the Tenmile Watershed, which were acclimated and then released in April 2018. Title: Tenmile Lake Basin Partnership - OWEB Final Report: Grant 217-2051 Abstract -- Pacific Lamprey are native to the Tenmile Watershed and culturally important to the local Native American Tribes. Likewise, Salmon and Steelhead have both an economic and cultural significance to the local citizens and Tribes. Pacific Lamprey were historically harvested by the people of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI), but it was unknown if Pacific Lamprey were still present in the Tenmile Watershed. A fish trap was built on Eel Lake by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in 1989 for the purpose of fish capture and rearing. The trap is effective in capturing Salmon and Steelhead but may act as a barrier to the passage of Pacific Lamprey. This monitoring effort was designed to assess the presence/absence of Pacific Lamprey in the Tenmile Watershed, identify migration timing, potential lamprey passage barriers and rearing/spawning habitats, and collect and organize data from Eel Lake Trap on native Coho, Cutthroat, and native/hatchery Steelhead returns and trends. Lamprey larvae (ammocoete) monitoring was conducted in the summer of 2017 using electro-shockers. Shocking occurred on 3 tributaries of Tenmile Lakes (Big Creek, Johnson Creek, and Shutter Creek), and 3 creeks within the Eel Lake basin (Eel Creek, Clear Creek, and Winters Arm Creek). Two species of lamprey were identified, Western Brook (Lampetra richardsoni) and Pacific (Entosphenus tridentatus). Western Brook were found in all sampled Tenmile Lakes Basin streams, but only in the streams above Eel Lake Trap in the Eel Lake Basin. No Western Brook were identified in Eel Creek below the Trap. Pacific Lamprey were found in Johnson Creek and Big Creek in the Tenmile Lakes Basin, and in Eel Creek in the Eel Lake Basin. No Pacific Lamprey were identified above the Eel Lake Trap, suggesting that it may act as a complete passage barrier to that species. In addition, over 200 adult Pacific Lamprey were salvaged from an ODOT culvert enhancement project on Eel Creek near Hwy 101. Pacific Lamprey larvae were identified upstream of this project, but it is likely that it was a partial barrier. Two other ODOT culverts were identified as potential partial lamprey barriers on Eel Cr. Spawning areas for Pacific and Western Brook Lamprey are similar to spawning areas for salmon. Upper reaches of all the Tenmile Lake tributaries have appropriate spawning gravel. Lower stream areas are often high in sediment which is conducive to rearing lamprey larvae. This was confirmed in Johnson creek with high numbers of Pacific Lamprey larvae found at the mouth as it enters South Tenmile Lake. Farther upstream in the Johnson Creek system, larvae were abundant, but much smaller with many being too small to identify (<65mm). Western Brook larvae were found, but no Pacific Lamprey larvae were identified, perhaps amongst those unidentified specimens. Western Brook ammocoetes were also found at the lower site on Johnson Creek, and in Big Creek and Shutter Creek. Pacific Lamprey migration into the watershed is difficult to determine due to the elusive nature of the species and their life cycle trait of migrating in from the ocean in the spring of one year, then holding over until the next spring before spawning. When specimens are captured, it is difficult to determine whether it is a fresh migrant or last year’s holdover. Even if it can be determined which year it is from, it is still difficult to know how long it has been in the system before it was captured. In Phase 2 of this project, we will capture Pacific Lamprey either in traps near the mouth of Eel Cr, or at the lower culverts. This should give us a better sense of migration timing. Native Coho salmon counts at Eel Lake Trap were down significantly from the recorded high at the Trap of 441 in 2012, with only 66 native Coho returning in 2018 (the winter of 2017-2018). The previous 2 years were also low with 2016 and 2017 showing returns of only 53 and 118 respectively. The Coho numbers for most of the Oregon Coast also showed low returns. Hatchery Winter Steelhead counts were 502 for 2018. This compares to a record high of 828 in 2007, 595 in 2016, and 226 in 2017. Returning native Steelhead only numbered 10 for the 2018 season. The average return for Native Steelhead is 24. In 2018, 60 Steelhead were spawned including 2 native males, but no native females. 252 hatchery Steelhead were recycled into Saunders Lake, and 148 into Butterfield Lake. ODFW allocated 25,000 smolts for the Tenmile Watershed, which were acclimated and then released in April 2018. Close

• 3123. [Article] Abundance, Productivity, and Life History of Fifteenmile Creek Steelhead; Annual Report 2016

  Abstract -- The Fifteenmile Creek watershed in North Central Oregon hosts a native population of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that is without influence of previous hatchery augmentation. The Fifteenmile ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Abundance, Productivity, and Life History of Fifteenmile Creek Steelhead; Annual Report 2016 Abstract -- The Fifteenmile Creek watershed in North Central Oregon hosts a native population of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that is without influence of previous hatchery augmentation. The Fifteenmile Creek steelhead are a subpopulation within the Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the Middle Columbia River steelhead and was listed as ‘threatened’ by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) first on March 25, 1999 and relisted as a DPS on January 5, 2006. Subsequently, a conservation and recovery management plan was developed for the Middle Columbia River steelhead DPS within Oregon state borders. The goal of the plan is to recover Middle Columbia River steelhead to a level that would allow the removal of threatened status, in addition to providing a long-term goal to recover the population sufficiently to provide sustainable fisheries and other ecological, cultural, social and economic benefits for future generations. The DPS-level recovery plan sets specific recovery goals for the areas within the DPS, which designates Fifteenmile Creek explicitly. The Fifteenmile Creek steelhead population is considered the most inland winter race of steelhead in the Columbia River Basin, as designated by NOAA fisheries. However review of this designation may be necessary at the next Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biological Opinion (BiOp) status-review because the run-timing of adult steelhead passing Bonneville Dam has been inconsistent with known winter-run steelhead in the area. The population was identified as “must have viable” status by the Interior Columbia Technical Recovery Team (ICTRT), and reaching viable status is essential for achieving DPS delisting. The ICTRT, Recovery Plan, and the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS-BiOp) have all identified this population as high priority for improving precision and accuracy of abundance, productivity, diversity, and spatial structure information. Title: Abundance, Productivity, and Life History of Fifteenmile Creek Steelhead; Annual Report 2016 Abstract -- The Fifteenmile Creek watershed in North Central Oregon hosts a native population of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that is without influence of previous hatchery augmentation. The Fifteenmile Creek steelhead are a subpopulation within the Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the Middle Columbia River steelhead and was listed as ‘threatened’ by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) first on March 25, 1999 and relisted as a DPS on January 5, 2006. Subsequently, a conservation and recovery management plan was developed for the Middle Columbia River steelhead DPS within Oregon state borders. The goal of the plan is to recover Middle Columbia River steelhead to a level that would allow the removal of threatened status, in addition to providing a long-term goal to recover the population sufficiently to provide sustainable fisheries and other ecological, cultural, social and economic benefits for future generations. The DPS-level recovery plan sets specific recovery goals for the areas within the DPS, which designates Fifteenmile Creek explicitly. The Fifteenmile Creek steelhead population is considered the most inland winter race of steelhead in the Columbia River Basin, as designated by NOAA fisheries. However review of this designation may be necessary at the next Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biological Opinion (BiOp) status-review because the run-timing of adult steelhead passing Bonneville Dam has been inconsistent with known winter-run steelhead in the area. The population was identified as “must have viable” status by the Interior Columbia Technical Recovery Team (ICTRT), and reaching viable status is essential for achieving DPS delisting. The ICTRT, Recovery Plan, and the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS-BiOp) have all identified this population as high priority for improving precision and accuracy of abundance, productivity, diversity, and spatial structure information. Close

• 3124. [Article] Evaluation of Juvenile Salmonid Outmigration and Survival in the Lower Umatilla River Basin; Annual Report 2017

  Abstract -- This report summarizes Umatilla River steelhead monitoring and Three Mile Falls Dam (TMFD) PIT tag detection system operations for calendar year 2017. This report also includes updates to long-term ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Evaluation of Juvenile Salmonid Outmigration and Survival in the Lower Umatilla River Basin; Annual Report 2017 Abstract -- This report summarizes Umatilla River steelhead monitoring and Three Mile Falls Dam (TMFD) PIT tag detection system operations for calendar year 2017. This report also includes updates to long-term status and trend data for the ESA-listed Umatilla steelhead population, which is a large population within the Umatilla/Walla Walla Major Population Group. The project used two fixed site traps, PIT tags, and mark-recapture to assess the status and trend of juvenile abundance and productivity, estimate survival rates, and monitor life history characteristics. Spatial distribution and density of summer steelhead redds were determined using a spatially balanced random sample (Generalized Random Tessellation Stratified) within a temporally based panel design. Redd distribution data was collected from 25–35 individual sites. Title: Evaluation of Juvenile Salmonid Outmigration and Survival in the Lower Umatilla River Basin; Annual Report 2017 Abstract -- This report summarizes Umatilla River steelhead monitoring and Three Mile Falls Dam (TMFD) PIT tag detection system operations for calendar year 2017. This report also includes updates to long-term status and trend data for the ESA-listed Umatilla steelhead population, which is a large population within the Umatilla/Walla Walla Major Population Group. The project used two fixed site traps, PIT tags, and mark-recapture to assess the status and trend of juvenile abundance and productivity, estimate survival rates, and monitor life history characteristics. Spatial distribution and density of summer steelhead redds were determined using a spatially balanced random sample (Generalized Random Tessellation Stratified) within a temporally based panel design. Redd distribution data was collected from 25–35 individual sites. Close

• 3125. [Article] Escapement and Productivity of Summer Steelhead and Spring Chinook Salmon in the John Day River; Annual Report 2017

  Abstract -- The John Day River, located in northeastern Oregon, supports five wild populations of summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and three populations of wild spring chinook (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Escapement and Productivity of Summer Steelhead and Spring Chinook Salmon in the John Day River; Annual Report 2017 Abstract -- The John Day River, located in northeastern Oregon, supports five wild populations of summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and three populations of wild spring chinook (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) with no hatchery supplementation. However, these populations remain depressed relative to historic levels. In 1999, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed the Middle Columbia River summer steelhead Distinct Population Segment (DPS), which includes the John Day River Major Population Group (MPG), as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Although numerous habitat protection and rehabilitation projects have been implemented within the John Day River basin to improve steelhead and other salmonid freshwater production and survival, it has been difficult to estimate the effectiveness of these projects without a systematic program in place to collect information on the status, trends, and distribution of spawning activity, juvenile salmonids, and aquatic habitat conditions within the basin. Prior to the inception of this project, population and environmental monitoring of steelhead in the basin consisted of a combination of index spawning surveys and periodic monitoring of some status and trend indicators. While index spawning data is useful for drawing inference about long-term trends in adult steelhead abundance, they are limited for determining the status of steelhead escapement or distribution at the population or MPG scale because survey sites are not randomly selected and are likely biased towards streams with higher fish abundance. A broader approach to the monitoring and evaluation of status and trends in anadromous and resident salmonid populations and their habitats was needed to provide data to effectively support restoration efforts and guide alternative future management actions in the basin. The Independent Scientific Review Panel (ISRP) recommended that the region move away from index surveys and embrace probabilistic sampling for most population and habitat monitoring. To meet the ISRP recommendation, the structure and methods employed by the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds Monitoring Program were extended to the John Day basin. This approach incorporates the sampling strategy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP). This research effort employs a statistically based and spatially explicit sampling design to answer key monitoring questions, integrate on-going sampling efforts, and improve agency coordination. The current program seeks to integrate project objectives focused on summer steelhead spawning metrics, juvenile salmonid metrics, and aquatic habitat conditions. Title: Escapement and Productivity of Summer Steelhead and Spring Chinook Salmon in the John Day River; Annual Report 2017 Abstract -- The John Day River, located in northeastern Oregon, supports five wild populations of summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and three populations of wild spring chinook (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) with no hatchery supplementation. However, these populations remain depressed relative to historic levels. In 1999, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed the Middle Columbia River summer steelhead Distinct Population Segment (DPS), which includes the John Day River Major Population Group (MPG), as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Although numerous habitat protection and rehabilitation projects have been implemented within the John Day River basin to improve steelhead and other salmonid freshwater production and survival, it has been difficult to estimate the effectiveness of these projects without a systematic program in place to collect information on the status, trends, and distribution of spawning activity, juvenile salmonids, and aquatic habitat conditions within the basin. Prior to the inception of this project, population and environmental monitoring of steelhead in the basin consisted of a combination of index spawning surveys and periodic monitoring of some status and trend indicators. While index spawning data is useful for drawing inference about long-term trends in adult steelhead abundance, they are limited for determining the status of steelhead escapement or distribution at the population or MPG scale because survey sites are not randomly selected and are likely biased towards streams with higher fish abundance. A broader approach to the monitoring and evaluation of status and trends in anadromous and resident salmonid populations and their habitats was needed to provide data to effectively support restoration efforts and guide alternative future management actions in the basin. The Independent Scientific Review Panel (ISRP) recommended that the region move away from index surveys and embrace probabilistic sampling for most population and habitat monitoring. To meet the ISRP recommendation, the structure and methods employed by the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds Monitoring Program were extended to the John Day basin. This approach incorporates the sampling strategy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP). This research effort employs a statistically based and spatially explicit sampling design to answer key monitoring questions, integrate on-going sampling efforts, and improve agency coordination. The current program seeks to integrate project objectives focused on summer steelhead spawning metrics, juvenile salmonid metrics, and aquatic habitat conditions. Close

• 3126. [Article] Oregon's Coastal Chinook, A Summary

  Abstract -- Whether they are landed by anglers using rods and reels, or commercial fishermen using troll gear, chinook salmon are prize fish. These fish have been an important cultural and economic element ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon's Coastal Chinook, A Summary Abstract -- Whether they are landed by anglers using rods and reels, or commercial fishermen using troll gear, chinook salmon are prize fish. These fish have been an important cultural and economic element of Oregon's coastal economy for more than 100 years. Although human activity has affected the species during the past century, chinook remain today a strong and extremely valuable component within the state economic system. In 1987, for example, commercial and recreational fisheries caught more than a half-million chinook. Most of those fish had their origin in coastal streams of Oregon and northern California. This report summarizes the findings of a study that offers a comprehensive view of Oregon's coastal chinook salmon populations based on the best information currently available. The study is titled "Chinook Salmon Populations in Oregon Coastal River Basins: Description of Life Histories and Assessment of Recent Trends in Run Strengths." The study does not deal with chinook stocks of the Columbia River Basin. A limited supply of document copies is available for public review at libraries and department offices around the state. Personal copies of the study are available for a fee. Title: Oregon's Coastal Chinook, A Summary Abstract -- Whether they are landed by anglers using rods and reels, or commercial fishermen using troll gear, chinook salmon are prize fish. These fish have been an important cultural and economic element of Oregon's coastal economy for more than 100 years. Although human activity has affected the species during the past century, chinook remain today a strong and extremely valuable component within the state economic system. In 1987, for example, commercial and recreational fisheries caught more than a half-million chinook. Most of those fish had their origin in coastal streams of Oregon and northern California. This report summarizes the findings of a study that offers a comprehensive view of Oregon's coastal chinook salmon populations based on the best information currently available. The study is titled "Chinook Salmon Populations in Oregon Coastal River Basins: Description of Life Histories and Assessment of Recent Trends in Run Strengths." The study does not deal with chinook stocks of the Columbia River Basin. A limited supply of document copies is available for public review at libraries and department offices around the state. Personal copies of the study are available for a fee. Close

• 3127. [Article] A Proposal for an Integrated Research Monitoring Program for Oregon Coastal Chinook Populations

  Abstract -- Among the many chinook salmon populations contributing to large, mixed stock ocean net, troll, and recreational fisheries managed by the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) there is a good deal ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Proposal for an Integrated Research Monitoring Program for Oregon Coastal Chinook Populations Abstract -- Among the many chinook salmon populations contributing to large, mixed stock ocean net, troll, and recreational fisheries managed by the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) there is a good deal of diversity with respect to productivity, life history characteristics, and ocean distribution. During the years immediately following the adoption of the original 1985 Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST), lack of adequate data prevented the PSC from managing effectively for these differences. Instead, chinook management outlined in Annex IV of the original treaty was based upon long term population trends for very large aggregates of stocks. Although harvest ceilings were established as part of a PST recovery plan for over-exploited stocks, they were based on average coast-wide production trends and resulted in over harvest of weak stocks in some years and failure to take advantage of large returns in other years. By the mid-l 990's, data relative to the distribution and abundance of many salmon stocks contributing to PST fisheries was improving. At the same time, there was increasing dissatisfaction with quota-based management and strong interest in instituting annual abundance-based management for stock aggregates that share geographic proximity of spawning areas, similar life history and genetic characteristics, and similar distributions in the ocean. Abundance-based management for aggregated stocks would establish and implement annual fishery exploitation rates in fisheries that insure long-term sustainability for all aggregates and related individual stocks. In the absence of bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Canada regarding implementation of abundance-based management, the three voting U.S. PSC Commissioners signed the 1996 Letter of Agreement (LOA) that defined elements of an abundance-based management approach for chinook salmon fisheries in southeast Alaska. The LOA was designed to: 1) set the stage for future bilateral negotiations regarding abundance based management; 2) clarify the role of PST fisheries in rebuilding depressed natural stocks; and 3) provide a means for sharing conservation responsibility of far-north migrating stocks originating from watersheds in Oregon and Washington. The foundation for abundance-based management set forth in the LOA was subsequently expanded upon and incorporated as Aggregate Abundance-Based Management (AABM) in Annex IV, Chapter 3 of the 1999 PST. Application of the abundance-based management outlined in the 1996 LOA and the subsequent 1999 amendments to the PST requires knowledge of the stock recruitment relationships, biological spawning escapement goals, and annual forecasts of ocean abundance and distribution for stocks in each aggregate to regulate fishery harvest. Managers must also have annual post-season estimates of aggregate specific exploitation rates and in-river escapements to assess the effectiveness of regulatory measures. The base-monitoring program for Oregon's coastal chinook under the 1985 PSC met only a few of these data requirements. In recognition of requirements for new and more precise data, the signatories of the original LOA sought out additional federal funds for new and expanded monitoring programs. Since 1997 Congress has annually approved approximately $1.8 million for additional research and monitoring needed to implement terms of the LOA. The PSC delegated discretionary authority for the use of those funds to the U.S. Section's Chinook Technical Committee (CTC). Title: A Proposal for an Integrated Research Monitoring Program for Oregon Coastal Chinook Populations Abstract -- Among the many chinook salmon populations contributing to large, mixed stock ocean net, troll, and recreational fisheries managed by the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) there is a good deal of diversity with respect to productivity, life history characteristics, and ocean distribution. During the years immediately following the adoption of the original 1985 Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST), lack of adequate data prevented the PSC from managing effectively for these differences. Instead, chinook management outlined in Annex IV of the original treaty was based upon long term population trends for very large aggregates of stocks. Although harvest ceilings were established as part of a PST recovery plan for over-exploited stocks, they were based on average coast-wide production trends and resulted in over harvest of weak stocks in some years and failure to take advantage of large returns in other years. By the mid-l 990's, data relative to the distribution and abundance of many salmon stocks contributing to PST fisheries was improving. At the same time, there was increasing dissatisfaction with quota-based management and strong interest in instituting annual abundance-based management for stock aggregates that share geographic proximity of spawning areas, similar life history and genetic characteristics, and similar distributions in the ocean. Abundance-based management for aggregated stocks would establish and implement annual fishery exploitation rates in fisheries that insure long-term sustainability for all aggregates and related individual stocks. In the absence of bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Canada regarding implementation of abundance-based management, the three voting U.S. PSC Commissioners signed the 1996 Letter of Agreement (LOA) that defined elements of an abundance-based management approach for chinook salmon fisheries in southeast Alaska. The LOA was designed to: 1) set the stage for future bilateral negotiations regarding abundance based management; 2) clarify the role of PST fisheries in rebuilding depressed natural stocks; and 3) provide a means for sharing conservation responsibility of far-north migrating stocks originating from watersheds in Oregon and Washington. The foundation for abundance-based management set forth in the LOA was subsequently expanded upon and incorporated as Aggregate Abundance-Based Management (AABM) in Annex IV, Chapter 3 of the 1999 PST. Application of the abundance-based management outlined in the 1996 LOA and the subsequent 1999 amendments to the PST requires knowledge of the stock recruitment relationships, biological spawning escapement goals, and annual forecasts of ocean abundance and distribution for stocks in each aggregate to regulate fishery harvest. Managers must also have annual post-season estimates of aggregate specific exploitation rates and in-river escapements to assess the effectiveness of regulatory measures. The base-monitoring program for Oregon's coastal chinook under the 1985 PSC met only a few of these data requirements. In recognition of requirements for new and more precise data, the signatories of the original LOA sought out additional federal funds for new and expanded monitoring programs. Since 1997 Congress has annually approved approximately $1.8 million for additional research and monitoring needed to implement terms of the LOA. The PSC delegated discretionary authority for the use of those funds to the U.S. Section's Chinook Technical Committee (CTC). Close

• 3128. [Article] A Radio Telemetry of Steelhead in the North Umpqua River Basin, 1998-2001

  Abstract -- The North Umpqua steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) represents one of the few remaining native anadromous fish populations in Oregon still at a relatively healthy level. The sustainability of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Radio Telemetry of Steelhead in the North Umpqua River Basin, 1998-2001 Abstract -- The North Umpqua steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) represents one of the few remaining native anadromous fish populations in Oregon still at a relatively healthy level. The sustainability of the North Umpqua steelhead population and its' habitat is a very high priority. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) develops, on a continuing basis, practices designed to ensure the health and viability of this population. However, continued management success depends critically on the availability of data necessary for a detailed understanding of relevant life history issues. To address these data needs, ODFW began a radio-telemetry study of North Umpqua steelhead in June of 1998. Tagging at Winchester dam was terminated 10/26/00 but monitoring continued until the end of May 2001. This study has provided detailed information on movement patterns of adult steelhead in the basin at a level that is available in no other way and is the most comprehensive project of its type for the Umpqua Basin. A radio tagging study whose scope was limited to the Steamboat Creek subbasin was carried out previously (Wroble, 1990). Also, a previous study of temperature trends in that subbasin is of interest (Hostetler, 1991). Although similar radio telemetry studies ( e.g. Hockersmith et al, 1995) have been carried out in other basins, they are few. Title: A Radio Telemetry of Steelhead in the North Umpqua River Basin, 1998-2001 Abstract -- The North Umpqua steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) represents one of the few remaining native anadromous fish populations in Oregon still at a relatively healthy level. The sustainability of the North Umpqua steelhead population and its' habitat is a very high priority. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) develops, on a continuing basis, practices designed to ensure the health and viability of this population. However, continued management success depends critically on the availability of data necessary for a detailed understanding of relevant life history issues. To address these data needs, ODFW began a radio-telemetry study of North Umpqua steelhead in June of 1998. Tagging at Winchester dam was terminated 10/26/00 but monitoring continued until the end of May 2001. This study has provided detailed information on movement patterns of adult steelhead in the basin at a level that is available in no other way and is the most comprehensive project of its type for the Umpqua Basin. A radio tagging study whose scope was limited to the Steamboat Creek subbasin was carried out previously (Wroble, 1990). Also, a previous study of temperature trends in that subbasin is of interest (Hostetler, 1991). Although similar radio telemetry studies ( e.g. Hockersmith et al, 1995) have been carried out in other basins, they are few. Close