Inseason subsistence salmon catch monitoring, Lower Kuskokwim River, 2010

Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Management Report No. 12-34, Anchorage.

The Kuskokwim Inseason Subsistence Catch Monitoring project is a collaborative effort between Orutsararmiut Native Council (ONC) and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game since 2001. The objective of the project is to provide input regarding salmon run timing, strength, and subsistence harvest from local Kuskokwim Area subsistence fishermen to the salmon management process during the fishing season.  This objective was achieved in 2010. ONC conducted weekly in-person interviews of 30 Bethel area subsistence fishing families at fish camps during the peak of salmon fishing activity (June 1 to July 11, 2010). Overall, fishermen in the lower Kuskokwim River felt there was a late Chinook salmon run made up of smaller sized fish than normal, with difficult fish drying conditions due to abnormally rainy weather throughout the summer. Most fishermen also indicated they increased their fishing effort and harvested more sockeye and chum salmon to reach their subsistence salmon harvest goals for the year. Other data gathered include fishing method, mesh sizes used, and relative run timing and catch rates for Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), chum (O. keta) and sockeye (O. nerka) salmon. Families were also asked about salmon harvest goals, whether salmon subsistence needs were being met, and to comment on fish health, weather conditions, and other factors that affect harvest and processing of fish. Data from these surveys were used to qualitatively assess salmon run timing, relative abundance, fishermen’s success in achieving subsistence harvest goals, and fishing gear usage. Surveys were summarized weekly and relayed to area fishery managers. An oral report was presented at each Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working group meeting. Fishery managers and research staff used the survey information in conjunction with other fisheries monitoring projects as an early indication of salmon run strength, run timing and subsistence harvest trends.