Adult (age 4) & juvenile (age 0) chum salmon

Regional chum salmon harvest in Southeast Alaska (data courtesy Steve Heinl, ADFG)

A goal of the Chum Salmon Regional Data project is to integrate time series data from sources throughout the Southeast Alaska region to develop a comprehensive database containing: 1) regional catches of chum salmon, 2) biophysical parameters associated with juvenile chum salmon, and 3) marine survivals of hatchery chum salmon.

Over the past decade annual commercial catch of chum salmon in Southeast Alaska has averaged more than 5,000 metric tons (t) and is valued at over $25.0 million, making this species the most valuable in the region (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, ADF&G). Large regional enhancement facilities have contributed significantly to the commercial fishery in recent years, with an average of more than 70% of the total regional harvest. However, annual harvest and marine survival rates of hatchery-produced chum salmon can vary substantially among year-classes and geographic locales. Evaluating how harvest and marine survivals are linked to local and broad-scale environmental variations can increase our understanding of the effects of climatic and other environmental changes on population abundance.

Seasonal catches of juvenile chum salmon with surface trawls in strait habitat of the northern and southern regions of southeastern Alaska, 1997-2007

Variations in brood year survival for Hidden Falls Hatchery chum salmon in the northern region of southeastern Alaska, 1977- 2000 (data courtesy Chip Blair, NSRAA)

Trawl caught juvenile chum salmon and associated biophysical data are used to determine relationships of abundance, growth, energy, and environmental parameters with regional adult harvest and survival patterns

Marked fish originate from three primary enhancement facilities in Southeast Alaska: the Macaulay Hatchery (DIPAC), the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA), and the Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA). Stock-specific information is available for all chum salmon released from these three facilities through the use of thermal marking of otoliths. This information allows scientists to monitor juvenile indices during out-migration as well as adult survival. A chum salmon regional data base with catch, survival, and biophysical factors may enable us to better understand mechanisms that regulate year-class strength.

Contacts:
Emily Fergusson & Joe Orsi
Auke Bay Laboratories
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries

Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute
17109 Pt Lena Loop Rd
Juneau AK 99801
Emily.Fergusson@noaa.gov
Joe.Orsi@noaa.gov