BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1998 Proposal


Section 1. Summary
Section 2. Goals
Section 3. Background
Section 4. Purpose and methods
Section 5. Planned activities
Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation
Section 7. Relationships
Section 8. Costs and FTE

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Summary

Title of project
Columbia River Terminal Fisheries Research Project

BPA project number   9306000

Short description
Determine the feasibility of creating terminal fisheries to allow harvest of strong stocks while protecting depressed fish stocks.

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
ODFW/WDFW

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

 NamePaul Hirose, ODFW and Marc Miller, WDFW
 Mailing address
,
 Phone503/657-2028
 Email
   

Section 2. Goals

General

Section 3. Background

Stream area affected

History
1992: BPA funded 2-year study of overwinter rearing of coho in Youngs Bay net pens.-Project No. 92-77-Sept., 1992-Jan. 1996-Contract amount $575,3321993: Initial year of current project study has resulted in selection of new sites for study at Deep River, Steamboat Slough and Cathlamet Channel in Washington, and Tongue Point, Blind Slough, Clifton Channel and Wallace Slough in Oregon.1994: Began fish rearing experiments using Willamette stock spring chinook to overwinter in Youngs Bay. Began studies of Rogue stock fall chinook in Youngs Bay. Began extensive water quality and benthic monitoring program at new sites. Began spring and fall test fishery monitoring programs at net sites.1995: Deep River (Washington), and Tongue Point and Blind Slough (Oregon) were selected for implementation of pilot rearing studies. Capitalization of the new sites with releases planned for coho (1993-95 broods) and spring chinook (1994-96 broods). All monitoring programs continued.

Biological results achieved
Youngs Bay overwintering of 1991 brood coho
Survival rate of "overwintered" coho (2.82%) was greater than coho acclimated for two weeks (0.88%) and coho released from N.F. Klaskanine (0.32%) and S.F. Klaskanine Hatcheries (0.63%). Conclusions regarding survival rate increases due to overwinter rearing are unclear at this time since other factors (time of release) may have been responsible for increased survival.
Contribution of "overwintered" coho to the Youngs Bay commercial catch was estimated to be 35,079 fish (60.7% of the total catch).
Low stray rate for overwinter coho (0.6% is similar to 2-week acclimation coho (0.7%) and less than N.F. Klaskanine released coho (2.7%).
Youngs Bay overwintering of 1992 Brood coho
Preliminary coded-wire tag recovery data indicate survival rate (percent and comparison), contribution to Youngs Bay commercial catch (50.8%), and stray rate (<1%) to be similar to the 1991 brood coho data.
Initial returns in 1996 of 1993 Brood coho resulted in harvest of approximately 2,500 coho at each of the new release sites: Deep River, Tongue Point and Blind Slough. Data are presently being evaluated and compiled for Youngs Bay fishery.

Project reports and papers
Annual report covering 1994 was submitted to BPA.
Draft of the 1995-96 report is in progress, with a draft date being November 1, 1997 and a final date of January 1, 1998.
Semi-annual reports for the Youngs Bay terminal fishery project have been written and submitted to BPA. A Completion Report was submitted in January, 1997.

Adaptive management implications
Information gained from this study will be used by fisheries managers in setting time, gear, and area restrictions for sites with production potential. Harvest goals of 100% of the production from net pens can be pursued without impacting weak or endangered stocks.
Study sites are providing areas in the lower Columbia River where viable sport and commercial fisheries can occur without impacting rebuilding efforts for endangered upriver salmon stocks

Section 4. Purpose and methods

Specific measureable objectives
The long-term goal of this study is to determine specific sites and areas that can support viable sport and commercial harvest without impacting weak stocks. The measurable objectives would be in terms of economic benefits and quantifying biological impacts on weak and endangered stocks while staying within specific impact levels.

From 1992-2003 this project will test the efficacy of overwinter rearing of coho, spring chinook, and fall chinook in Youngs Bay net pens. From 1995-2003 rearing and harvest fish in new terminal areas is planned, with Deep River, Tongue Point and Blind Slough sites implemented in 1995.

Critical uncertainties
Annual funding uncertainty of this 10-year project affects planning and securing of study fish from hatchery programs. Marine mammals and avian predation could affect outcomes.

Biological need
Continual harvest of healthy hatchery stocks will be optimized while reducing harvest rates on weak, endangered stocks in mixed stock, mainstem fisheries.

Hypothesis to be tested
Development of terminal fishing opportunities in the lower Columbia River will support productive sport and commercial fisheries on harvestable stocks without negatively affecting rebuilding efforts directed at weak stocks.

Methods
Project design is simply to utilize hatchery fingerling production for acclimation and rearing in lower Columbia River off channel areas with studies designed to determine which rearing variables (size, release time, rearing densities, release sites) would maximize survival, minimize straying, optimize economic benefits, while best utilizing hatchery production and minimizing weak stock impacts.

Monitoring of water quality at sites using a Hydrolab multiparameter water testing device, and benthic monitoring seasonally using standard grabber and laboratory methods.

Standardized fish husbandry methods and net pen construction established from experience in Youngs Bay is the procedure used. Coded wire tagging (CWT) and finclipping of representative numbers of each study group is conducted with methods standardized coastwide. Recovery of CWTs is a product of a coordinated coastwide effort and essential for study evaluation.

Determination of background level of non-targeted stocks is accomplished using contract fishermen in each terminal site. Data are compared using a measure of catch per unit of effort.

Analysis of data generated by returns of adult study fish will be based on CWT recoveries. Statistical comparisons will be done utilizing existing standard methodology inclusive in the CWT recovery program.

Present studies include the rearing, release and harvest of the following salmon stocks and numbers:
1994-96 brood fall chinook (Rogue stock) 750,000/Yr.
1993-96 brood spring chinook (Willamette R. stock) 475,000/Yr.
1994-96 brood spring chinook (Willamette R. stock) 450,000/Yr.
1993-96 brood coho (early stock) 600,000/Yr.
1993-96 brood coho (Grays R. stock) 200,000/Yr

Section 5. Planned activities

Project completion date   2003

Constraints or factors that may cause schedule or budget changes
Availability of hatchery juveniles and funding for full implementation of the project.
Site availability, permit processes at all levels, agency coordination.
Continuation of poor juvenile survival conditions in the ocean could cloud study conclusions and direction.

Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Expected performance of target population or quality change in land area affected
Weak upriver target populations are expected to increase by shifting harvest from traditional mainstem fisheries to offchannel terminal areas.
Comparison of survival rates of net pen released fish with traditional hatchery releases. Expected outcome is increased survival rates to support successful terminal harvest.
Stock composition of harvest in new terminal areas. Expectations are for favorable results (few non-local stocks and high percentage of targeted stocks).

Favorable documented effects of fish rearing programs on water quality standards.

Analysis of escapement data to document stray rates (expected compliance with Wild Fish Plan).
Long-term expectations are for an economically successful sport and commercial fisheries that can function independently and without impedance to recovery of weak and endangered upriver salmon runs

Present utilization and convservation potential of target population or area
N/A - Terminal Fisheries project does not address utilization and conservation potential of the target population (ESA or weak stocks).

Assumed historic status of utilization and conservation potential
N/A - Terminal Fisheries project does not address utilization and conservation potential of the target population (ESA or weak stocks).

Long term expected utilization and conservation potential for target population or habitat
N/A - Terminal Fisheries project does not address utilization and conservation potential of the target population (ESA or weak stocks).

Contribution toward long-term goal
This project minimizes harvest impacts on target populations (ESA or weak stocks).

Indirect biological or environmental changes
Interactions with other species, changes in water quality.
New supplemental food sources for estuarine salmon predators.

Physical products
Harvest of tagged and untagged fish in terminal areas and other fisheries.
Series of net pen complexes and associated structures (pens, pilings, docks).

Environmental attributes affected by the project
No environmental attributes anticipated to be affected.

Changes assumed or expected for affected environmental attributes
No environmental attributes anticipated to be affected.

Measure of attribute changes
N/A - Does not apply to this project.

Assessment of effects on project outcomes of critical uncertainty
Critical uncertainties assessed through continual monitoring of water quality, macroinvertebrates and harvest scenarios. Continual monitoring of environmental and biological processes.

Information products
Discussion and analysis at bi-monthly meetings, and regularly produced project reports.

Coordination outcomes
Interagency meeting and reporting of project results, with appropriate collaboration at all levels (SFA business plan, research).

MONITORING APPROACH
The project's biological and environmental outcomes should be measured through tangible results specified in the project tasks.
Product delivery can be regionally assessed through the realization of creation or expansion of known stock fisheries in the Columbia River basin to allow harvest of strong anadromous salmonid stocks while providing greater protection of depressed fish stocks.

Provisions to monitor population status or habitat quality
Both agency and project funds are being utilized to monitor water quality and weak stock status through extensive CWT programs.

Data analysis and evaluation
Evaluation of survival, contribution and distribution data is based on PSMFC regional CWT recovery programs. Analysis of water quality and benthic data utilize baseline and control data bases.

Information feed back to management decisions
Adaptive management scenarios for production and harvest will be based on project findings.

Critical uncertainties affecting project's outcomes
Additional research into factors affecting survival rates (predation; disease; oceanic, river & estuarine conditions; etc) may be necessary.

Evaluation
Successful terminal fisheries will demonstrate high survival rates, high terminal harvest rates, compliance with wild fish and environmental policies, and low impacts on weak stocks.

Incorporating new information regarding uncertainties
New information will be analyzed with all data as they become available, being scrutinized and incorporated into the adaptive management process where applicable.

Increasing public awareness of F&W activities
Public awareness will be increased through direct public involvement and by fully utilizing the news and information media to increase and educate public awareness of the potential of terminal fisheries to protect weak stocks while optimizing the harvest of strong stocks.

Section 7. Relationships

Opportunities for cooperation
Coordination and approval for reprogramming of fish stocking programs is essential at all levels; internal within WDFW and ODFW, in forums or individually with other agencies, and within requirements and guidelines of the ESA and Production Advisory Committee (PAC). NEPA requirements have been met however an EIS may be needed. Permits with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE) are necessary along with local county and other state agencies. Lease agreements with private landowners are necessary.

Commercial harvest regulations require Columbia River Compact action in concurrent waters and states' action in state waters. Coordination with the appropriate enforcement agencies is essential.

Sport harvest proposals must be reviewed by enforcement and coordination between the states (OR & WA) for consistency.

All harvest must be addressed in the ESA process involving the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Columbia River Fish Management Plan as author of biological assessments concerning fishery impacts. Final approval of fisheries and harvest are then the responsibility of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Section 8. Costs and FTE

1997 Planned  $785,000

Future funding needs   Past obligations (incl. 1997 if done)
FY$ Need% Plan % Implement% O and M
1998900,000     
1999900,000     
2000900,000     
2001900,000     
 
FYObligated
1993417,855
1994393,825
1995400,000
1996785,881
1997664,676
Total2,662,237

Other non-financial supporters
Oregon Governor's Office, NMFS, BPA, ODFW, WDFW, NWPPC, EDA, SFA, CRFPU, OSU, Local Counties, City of Astoria, Tongue Point Job Corps, Local Businesses & Individuals

Longer term costs   2003: $1,500,000; continuing in years to follow at the same level


10-year project continues through 2003

FY97 overhead percent   ODFW - 20%; WDFW - 19%

How does percentage apply to direct costs
ODFW: Personal Services, and Services & Supplies; WDFW: All Costs excluding fish food & capitalized equipment.