Fall chum salmon originating in the Tanana River represent on average thirty percent of the total run abundance within the Yukon River drainage and are harvested in important subsistence and commercial fisheries enroute to spawning locations. The relationship between known tributary escapements and drainage abundance estimates suggest that a significant contribution to the fall chum salmon population maybe mainstem spawners. Previous telemetry results indicate large concentrations of adult chum salmon in the mainstem Tanana, but have yet to document spawning. The main objectives of this proposal include the following: 1) confirm that fall chum salmon are using the mainstem Tanana River for spawning; 2) identify and characterize mainstem spawning habitats used by fall chum salmon; 3) determine relative contributions of mainstem spawners to overall upper Tanana fall chum salmon populations; and 4) construct mainstem spawning habitat location prediction models. Objectives will be achieved by on site confirmation of fall chum salmon spawning in the mainstem in 2007 followed by additional radio tagging to determine proportions in 2008. The impacts of urbanization and resource development including agriculture, timber, minerals, and petroleum are the greatest within the Tanana River drainage. The benefits provided by this project include documentation of mainstem spawning locations and a habitat location prediction model. The information from this study is needed to assist in developing the resources in the area while responsibly protecting habitat that supports the fishery resource.
Brandy Berkbigler
brandy.berkbigler@tananachiefs.org
Tanana Chiefs Conference
907-452-8251
Natural Resources
122 First Avenue, Ste. 600
Fairbanks
AK
99701
Bonnie Borba
bonnie_borba@fishgame.state.ak.us
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
907-459-7260
Divison of Commercial Fisheries
1300 College Road
Fairbanks
AK
99701
James Finn
jfinn@usgs.gov
U.S. Geological Survey
907-786-3450
Alaska Science Center
1011 East Tudor Road
Anchorage
AK
99503
Toshihide Hamazaki
toshihida_hamazaki@fishgame.state.ak.us
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
907-267-2158
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage
AK
99518
A Project Authorization Statement is available for this project: Click to view First Year Funding: $38,672.00
Funding
Second Year Funding: $277,713.00
Third Year Funding: $302,170.00
Fourth Year Funding: $0.00
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