The Kuskokwim River supports one of the largest coho salmon runs in Alaska. Coho salmon is the primary salmon species harvested in the Kuskokwim commercial salmon fishery, averaging approximately 495,000 coho salmon per year from 1980 to 1996. Coho harvests declined precipitously beginning in 1997, averaging only 201,000 coho per year, 1997 to 2006. Approximately 35% of the statewide subsistence catch of coho salmon occurs in the Kuskokwim area. Little is known about the productivity of juvenile coho in Kuskokwim tributaries, including the extent to which productivity varies among rivers. Growth is an important index of salmon productivity. Using historical and new coho scale collections, we propose to estimate and compare juvenile coho length-at-age in eight Kuskokwim area tributaries during four recent years, compare these growth estimates with temperature, stream characteristics, and indices of adult coho productivity and pink salmon abundance (prey source) in the eight tributaries. We will also estimate length-at-age of juvenile Kuskokwim River coho during 1967 to 2006 and compare growth with air temperature during the growing season. The project adds value to existing projects while addressing two Questions of Special Concern/High Priority Hypotheses. It also relies upon local Kuskokwim residents that would help collect samples. This project will identify the degree to which coho size at age varies among Kuskokwim tributaries and contributes to biodiversity, which is important for sustaining salmon harvests.
Bev Agler
bev.agler@alaska.gov
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
907-465-3498
10107 Bentwood Place
Juneau
AK
99801
Doug Molyneaux
doug.molyneaux@alaska.gov
Alaska Dept of Fish and Game - Division of Commercial Fisheries
907-267-2397
333 Raspberry Rd
Anchorage
AK
99518
Greg Ruggerone
gruggerone@nrccorp.com
Natural Resources Consultants, Inc.
206-285-3480
1900 West Nickerson Street, Suite 207
Seattle
WA
98119
First Year Funding: $8,737.00Funding
Second Year Funding: $47,001.00
Third Year Funding: $22,706.00
Fourth Year Funding: $0.00
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