Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association Annual Report

Transcription

1 Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association 2014 Annual Report

2 Contents Mission & Goals 3 Cook Inlet Watershed 4 Executive Director s Message 5 President s Message 6 Financial Statement 7 Hatcheries 8 Evaluation 12 Cost Recovery 13 Habitat 14 Monitoring 16 Outreach & Education 18 Internship & Seasonal Employment 19 Board of Directors 20 Staff & Locations Annual Report

3 Mission & Goals Mission Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association is a non-profit regional association which exists to: (1) protect self-perpetuating salmon stocks and the habitat upon which they depend; (2) rehabilitate self-perpetuating salmon stocks; (3) rehabilitate salmon habitat; and (4) maximize the value of the Cook Inlet (Area H) common property salmon resource by applying science and enhancement technology where appropriate. Goals To accomplish this mission the Board of Directors of Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association will: Seek protection of salmon habitat through active participation (testimony, committee work, data input, etc.) in planning, permitting and enforcement processes. Conduct salmon rehabilitation and enhancement projects which can be expected to significantly contribute to common property fishery harvests. An average harvest rate of 50% in the common property fishery is the acceptable standard for significant contribution. This standard does not apply during project development or to projects designed solely for cost recovery harvest. Conduct evaluation activities which increase the effectiveness of project implementation. Engage in research which advances the state of enhancement/rehabilitation technology. Be sensitive to the interests of those harvesting the Area H common property salmon resource. Educate the public about the salmon resource and the mission, goals and projects of the Association. Maintain the highest standards of financial responsibility and accountability for the funds entrusted to it. Maintain facilities, administrative practices and personnel policies which require and encourage its staff to perform in a safe, professional and cost-effective manner. Comply with all statutes and regulations governing private nonprofit aquaculture association activities in the State of Alaska. Participate, within the limits for tax-exempt corporations, in the development of legislation and regulation relevant to attainment of the mission Annual Report 3

4 Cook Inlet Watershed As a private, non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alaska, CIAA engages in salmon enhancement work throughout the Cook Inlet region. This region includes waters of Alaska in Cook Inlet and Resurrection Bay north of Cape Douglas and west of Cape Fairfield including the Barren Islands and all the region s freshwater drainages. The Cook Inlet Watershed incudes rivers and lakes within the Matanuska-Susitna and Kenai Peninsula boroughs, and the Municipality of Anchorage. This map depicts CIAA s hatcheries as well as many of the 2014 project locations. Matanuska-Susitna Borough Chelatna Lake Whiskey & Hewitt Lakes Shell Lake Eklutna Salmon Hatchery Municipality of Anchorage Daniels Lake Marten Lake Packers Lake Kenai Peninsula Borough Paint River Annual Report Hidden Lake CIAA Headquarters Kenai Hatcheries Project sites Trail Lakes Hatchery Bear Lake & Resurrection Bay Leisure & Hazel Lakes Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery Port Graham Hatchery English Bay Lakes

5 Executive Director s Message Over the past year, the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association has continued to grow and change as it has worked to develop and improve the various programs that support healthy salmon populations in the Cook Inlet Drainage. However, unlike other years with a balance of ups and downs, 2014 seemed to have more ups than downs. One of our biggest accomplishments was assuming ownership and renovating the Port Graham Hatchery. This facility, located in the village of Port Graham, offered a unique opportunity for CIAA to double its pink salmon program with a modern facility. We assumed ownership of the facility in April and immediately began efforts to renovate the facility. The renovation schedule was aggressive and has been completed. This facility is now capable of incubating and rearing up to 84 million pink salmon eggs with further plans to increase that number to 125 million eggs. Once we reach full production this facility will provide additional revenue through cost recovery that can be used for salmon rehabilitation and enhancement efforts throughout the Cook Inlet drainage. Another significant effort that came to a favorable conclusion in 2014 was CIAA s appeal of the IRS finding that cost recovery revenues were unrelated business income and taxable. The IRS audited several regional aquaculture associations in 2011 and initially concluded that CIAA owed over $1.1 million in income tax for 2009, 2010, and We appealed the IRS s initial conclusion, which was reversed in I and the Board of Directors have always tried to handle the funds entrusted to the Association appropriately and felt relieved by the IRS s final decision. Several enhancement and rehabilitation projects were successfully completed in Two of the projects were standouts because they were not typical projects for the Association. Over the past three years, CIAA opened the Paint River Fish Ladder with the objective of allowing pioneering salmon to ascend the barrier falls and populate the drainage. In 2014, the first coho salmon to ascend the ladder were documented. This successful effort should lead to future harvestable returns. Recently, the Association recognized that grant funds were becoming more competitive and made efforts to collaborate with other organizations to pool our resources and accomplish some important restoration projects. An opportunity to work with other organizations to eradicate Elodea from Stormy, Beck, and Daniels lakes surfaced last year. Preliminary results suggest Elodea, an invasive water weed capable of destroying important salmon habitat over a broad area, was eradicated from Beck and Daniels lakes. We will continue to work with the other organizations over the next year to complete this important effort. Each year CIAA faces new challenges. The work of CIAA s Board of Directors and staff has allowed the Association to meet the challenges and continue to support Cook Inlet s wild salmon resource and the people that rely on healthy returns Annual Report 5

6 President s Message To boldly go where no man has gone before made a nice mantra for Star Trek. It wouldn t be descriptive of Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA). We can see that from the table below, which depicts regional hatchery components of common property fisheries. Common Property Commercial Fishery Hatchery Component Southeast Prince William Sound Kodiak Cook Inlet 2012 a Pink 1% 84% 12% 0% Chum 84% 88% 25% 0% Sockeye 12% 44% 14% 0.6% Coho 27% 5% 22% 0% Chinook 21% 0% 0% 0% Ex vessel value 42% 63% 13% 0.5% 2013 b Pink 2% 80% 38% 1% Chum 81% 88% 12% 0% Sockeye 14% 45% 15% 1% Coho 26% 39% 20% 0% Chinook 32% 0% 0% 0% Ex vessel value 21% 68% 26% 1% 2014 c Pink 0% 92% 51% 6% Chum 84% 68% 14% 0% Sockeye 6% 45% 09% 2% Coho 26% 29% 49% 0% Chinook 13% 0% 0% 0% Ex vessel value Not available as of this writing. a. Vercessi, L Alaska salmon fisheries enhancement program 2012 annual report. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Management Report 13-05, Anchorage. b. Vercessi, L Alaska salmon fisheries enhancement program 2013 annual report. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Management Report 14-12, Anchorage. c. Vercessi, L. In prep Alaska salmon fisheries enhancement program 2014 annual report. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Management Report XX-XX, Anchorage. The oildependent State government has demonstrated again in 2015 why diversification is a good thing. Changes and successes in some CIAA sockeye stocking projects, most notably at Resurrection Bay, appear to be leading to just the kind of diversification that could help Cook Inlet fisheries. The reopening of pink salmon facilities at Tutka Bay Lagoon and Port Graham Hatcheries are necessary moves if Cook Inlet is to follow other regions with a hatchery component in their fisheries. As hatchery enhancement becomes a stable part of Cook Inlet fisheries, I believe the CIAA Board of Directors should reexamine how projects are funded. Cost recovery projects are nearly impossible in Central Cook Inlet. In that area (the very area where most Cook Inlet commercial fishers operate) projects could be started with funding from cost recovery in the Lower Inlet. Once a Central Inlet project is in operation, harvests could be examined for determining who is catching the salmon. An appropriate tax could then be adopted to fund the project. In fact, the same thing could be done in areas that have traditionally operated by cost recovery funding. Part of the CIAA Mission is to maximizing the value of Cook Inlet s common property salmon resource. What better way to do that than to have fisheries open for anyone to participate? On other fronts, CIAA has been actively involved with state and federal agencies in eradicating an invasive aquatic pant, Elodea, from Nikiski-area lakes, and with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game eradicating invasive northern pike from the Soldotna Creek drainage. Work at saving pike-threatened sockeye salmon at Shell Lake is on-going. Finally, with naturally straying salmon ascending our Paint River Fish Ladder, salmon are now going where no salmon have gone before Annual Report

7 Financial Statement June 30, 2014 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $1,752,838 Grants receivable $362,646 Other receivables $7,470 Inventory $111,058 Prepaids $91,168 Total current assets $2,325,180 Construction in progress $762,623 Property and equipment and leasehold improvements (net of accumulated depreciation and amorization) $7,003,292 The financial information presented is a summary. For a full report, please contact CIAA at $10,091,095 Liabilities and Net Assets Current liabilities: Accounts payable $431,987 Accrued payroll liabilities $107,612 Notes payable, current $132,793 Total current liabilities $672,392 Notes payable, less portion classified as current $6,397,053 Total liabilities $7,069,445 Net assets: Unrestricted $3,021,650 $10,091,095 Hidden Lake, Annual Report 7

8 Hatcheries Located near Moose Pass, Trail Lakes Hatchery is a State-owned and CIAA-operated facility. This hatchery is permitted to rear sockeye, coho, and Chinook salmon, although production has mainly focused on sockeye salmon. A smaller amount of coho salmon rearing takes place, as shown in the table below Releases of Sockeye and Coho salmon, Trail Lakes Hatchery Location Species Stock Stage Number Resurrection Bay Sockeye Bear Lake Smolt 1,742,000 Tutka Bay Sockeye English Bay Lakes Smolt 599,500 Shell Lake Sockeye Shell Lake Smolt 80,000 Bear Creek Coho Bear Lake Smolt 55,000 Bear Lake Sockeye Bear Lake Fry 2,405,000 Hazel Lake Sockeye English Bay Lakes Fry 1,450,000 Leisure Lake Sockeye English Bay Lakes Fry 1,353,000 Hidden Lake Sockeye Hidden Lake Fry 1,540,000 Bear Lake Coho Bear Lake Fry 468,000 Second Lake Sockeye English Bay Lakes Fall fry 209,000 Total 9,901,500 Trail Lakes Hatchery staff preparing for broodstock capture, Hidden Lake, Annual Report

9 Overall, egg collection goals for Trail Lakes Hatchery were met in 2014, with Bear Lake and Hidden Lake both showing strong returns. Warm summer temperatures in 2014 resulted in the loss of sockeye salmon broodstock at Tutka Bay, but the Association was able to obtain more eggs from the English Bay Lakes stock to offset some of this loss in Capital improvement projects continued in 2014 with grant funding provided by the Alaska State Legislature in This funding has provided for much needed maintenance and repair. In 2014, Trail Lakes installed new variable frequency drives for two well pumps, installed new overhead doors, and purchased an air sep system (an oxygen generator to supplement oxygen into the water column). Overall, over $1,387,329 has been spent on upgrades to the facility since Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery, located in Kachemak Bay, is a State-owned and CIAA-operated facility. After operations were suspended for several years, an increase in pink salmon demand and prices allowed for Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery to reopen for pink salmon production in Unfortunately lower than expected returns and a delay in meeting the Tutka Creek escapement goal led to the collection of only 13.5 million eggs from Tutka stock in However, one shining star in 2014 was the collection of nearly 1.4 million pink salmon eggs from Bruin Bay. Resulting progeny from the Bruin Bay stock will be stocked into Paint River in the spring of This will be the first pink salmon stocking since the fish ladder at Paint River was opened in Adult returns to Paint River will start the colonization of the Paint River watershed. Family tracking for disease screening, Trail Lakes Hatchery Egg Collection, Trail Lakes Hatchery Location Species Stock Number Bear Lake Sockeye Bear Lake 5,292,800 Bear Lake Coho Bear Lake 581,000 Hidden Lake Sockeye Hidden Lake 1,647,600 English Bay Lakes Sockeye English Bay Lakes 1,093,000 Tutka Bay Lagoon Sockeye Tutka (English Bay Lakes) 3,067,700 Total 11,682, Egg Collection, Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery Species Stock Number Pink Tutka Creek 13,495,000 Pink Bruin Bay 1,367,500 Total 14,862,500 Mending the nets, Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery, Annual Report 9

10 In 2014, CIAA released 51.1 million pink salmon fry from Tutka Bay Lagoon. These fish will return in 2015 and provide the broodstock necessary to meet the egg target of million as well as provide adult salmon for cost recovery and commercial harvests Releases of Sockeye and Coho Salmon, Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery Location Species Stock Stage Number Tutka Bay Pink Tutka Fry 51,110,000 Port Graham Bay Pink Port Graham River Fry 188,000 Total 51,298,000 Eklutna Salmon Hatchery, located on the Old Glenn Highway near Palmer, is owned by CIAA. Although the hatchery has not been in operation since 1998, it has been serving as a temporary rearing facility for sockeye and coho smolts during the water shortages at the Trail Lakes Hatchery ( ) and is currently serving as a base of operations for the Susitna habitat and monitoring programs. The facility is also used by ADF&G to imprint and release Chinook and coho salmon smolt prior to their release to the Eklutna Tailrace. In November of 2014, while completing a routine check on the facility, staff noticed that the facility had been burglarized and vandalized. Items stolen included aluminum raceways, incubators, and tools. The Alaska State Troopers (Palmer) were notified immediately and since then charges have been filed against four individuals. Damages are still being assessed but they could be as high as $86,000. Items stolen have been valued at an additional $90,000. The Association is working to restore the hatchery to previous operating status so that ADF&G Chinook salmon releases scheduled in 2015 can continue as planned. Although CIAA owns Eklutna Salmon Hatchery, the land on which it sits is State-owned. In 2014, CIAA and the Department of Natural Resources reached an agreement on the land lease. The Association will complete an appraisal and an Alaska State Land Survey as part of the requirements for this agreement in Now with the land lease resolved, CIAA can begin to focus its effort on opening the Eklutna Salmon Hatchery for possible rehabilitation work in the Upper Cook Inlet. Eklutna Salmon Hatchery Annual Report

11 Port Graham Hatchery, located in the village of Port Graham in lower Cook Inlet, had an extremely busy year in In January, CIAA obtained authorization from ADF&G to move ahead with the operation of Port Graham Hatchery by receiving the Private Non-Profit Hatchery permit. In April, legal agreements with the Port Graham Hatchery Corporation for the purchase and transfer of ownership of the hatchery to CIAA were finalized. Additionally, CIAA completed legal agreements with the Port Graham Corporation and Port Graham Village Council for land leases and sharing of utilities, party wall, and water allocation. With the legal agreements in place, the Association focused on the selection of a contractor to complete the renovations of the facility. Blazy Contractors from Soldotna was selected as the successful bidder and work onsite began in July. Blazy and subcontractors Peninsula Plumbing and Heating and Alaska Industrial Electric as well as engineers from HDR, spent the next four months working on the $2.0 million renovation project. This project included the installation of new boilers for heating and thermal marking, new influent piping infrastructure including aeration towers, variable frequency drives and filters for water reuse, a new generator, and new electrical service. This was a very ambitious project completed in a relatively short time frame. New aeration towers and water distribution plumbing at Port Graham Hatchery, Although the goal was to have eggs in the facility by the fall of 2014, lower than expected returns resulted in transferring the eggs collected to Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery for incubation Egg Collection, Port Graham Hatchery Species Stock Number Pink Port Graham Bay 3,196,000 Total 3,196,000 The resulting progeny will then be transferred to Port Graham Bay as unfed fry in the spring of 2015 for short-term rearing in net pens before being released. By transferring the eggs collected, CIAA was able to reduce its operating costs at Port Graham Hatchery and provide for greater efficiency with its resources Annual Report 11

12 Evaluation Otolith from a Hidden Lake sockeye salmon, Every year CIAA spends a significant amount of resources in terms of staff time, equipment (boilers, piping infrastructure), and fuel toward thermal marking salmon incubated and reared in the hatcheries. Thermal marking, the process of putting a distinct mark on a fish s otolith (ear bone) once the eggs have reached the eyed stage, is done by heating and cooling the hatchery water in a particular pattern. This pattern (thermal mark code) is assigned by ADF&G and is specific to each stock or area where salmon are released. When the thermally marked fish migrate out of a watershed as smolts or return as adults, CIAA staff collects a sample of fish for otolith removal to identify the proportion of fish that were incubated in a hatchery. In the lab, the otoliths are analyzed for the unique and distinct mark a mark that will provide the fish s origin and age. The results provide CIAA with valuable information as to how well the hatchery program is working and the population characteristics of smolt and returning salmon. This information can then be used to adjust the hatchery program to achieve the best survival rates possible. Additionally, the data collected from the otoliths are used in models to forecast adult returns, thereby improving the accuracy of future return projections. Bear Lake, Hidden Lake, and English Bay Lakes have been the primary focus for otolith evaluation. In 2014, CIAA also collected otoliths from sockeye cost recovery harvests from Resurrection Bay, Tutka Bay Lagoon, and Kirschner Lake. Samples from the common property fishery in Kachemak Bay were collected by ADF&G in 2014 and given to CIAA for analysis. There are future plans to include evaluations of the Tutka, Port Graham, and Paint River pink salmon, and Leisure Lake sockeye salmon Annual Report

13 Cost Recovery To recover operational costs for our hatchery programs, CIAA develops cost-recovery harvest plans for areas where enhanced fish will be returning. These areas are known as Special Harvest Areas (SHA) and are developed in cooperation with ADF&G. Through a public bidding process, CIAA licenses access to these SHAs to processors. The objective is to reach the cost recovery goal as quickly as possible and then open the SHAs to the commercial fleet Cost Recovery Location Species Number Revenue Resurrection Bay Sockeye 127,612 $1,370,078 Tutka Bay Lagoon Sockeye 30,404 $224,600 Hidden Lake* Sockeye 377 $1,326 Kirschner Lake Sockeye 16,555 $129,616 Tutka Bay Lagoon Pink 32 $22 Total 174,948 $1,725,643 *Fish that were collected for otolith analysis and then sold. It was expected that there would be insufficient adult salmon returns to the different SHAs to meet the CIAA s 2014 cost-recovery goal of $2.9 M. Therefore, with the exception of sport fish and some minor commercial harvests, the adult salmon returns to all SHAs were needed to meet broodstock and cost recovery goals in Although the adult returns for pink salmon were disappointing, there was good news with the sockeye returns. The Association predicted that 66,000 would return to Resurrection Bay, but over 166,000 adult sockeye salmon returned and the bay was opened to a limited commercial harvest. Kirschner Lake and Tutka Bay Lagoon also experienced higher than predicted total adult returns (Kirschner Lake prediction was 8,200 and the actual was 20,163; Tutka Bay Lagoon prediction was 21,200 and the actual was 70,030). Cost recovery at Resurrection Bay Annual Report 13

14 Habitat Maintaining and improving salmon habitat and natural salmon populations is an important part of CIAA s work. Through efforts to maintain and operate flow control structures by providing adequate flows for migration, removal of seasonal migration barriers, construction of fishways and ladders, and implementation of anadromous stream habitat projects, CIAA has enhanced numerous salmon populations without releasing a single fish. Fishways The Paint River Fish Ladder reopened in June Staff returned to close down the ladder in early September and were pleasantly surprised to find one live coho salmon and four spawnedout salmon carcasses in the ladder system. Aerial flight of the area indicated a group of 10 salmon believed to be either coho or Chinook in Dunuletak Creek. The Association will be out in the spring of 2015 to reopen the ladder and to begin monitoring for adult returns. As mentioned previously in this report, pink salmon eggs were also collected from Bruin Bay and the resulting progeny will be stocked in the spring of Adult pink salmon from this stocking will return in 2016 and CIAA will have a video camera set up to document these returns. The Chenik Creek pool and jump fish ladder continues to facilitate an escapement of sockeye salmon into Chenik Lake. In recent years, a significant number of sockeye salmon have returned to Chenik Lake and have been available for common property harvest. Beaver Dams When working at various lakes and streams, CIAA routinely monitors for the presence of beaver dams. Some dams can hinder the ability of adult salmon to return to spawning areas. To remedy the problem, CIAA provides a temporary opening of the beaver dams. The small notch made in the dam allows salmon to pass through and continue migrating to spawning areas. Typically this allows enough time for salmon to pass before the beavers rebuild the notched area. Beaver dam monitoring and any subsequent notching is therefore a very unobtrusive activity that provides a lot of benefit for salmon trying to reach spawning areas. In 2014, beaver dam surveys were conducted for three water bodies in the Susitna River watershed: Shell, Trinity, and Upper Talachulitna Paint River Fish Ladder, Photo courtesy of ADF&G Annual Report

15 lakes. Due to high water in 2014 staff did not need to notch any beaver dams that were observed in this watershed. This was because either there was sufficient flow over beaver dams, or staff noted that some beaver dams had already been destroyed by high water. Three other creeks in the upper Cook Inlet were also monitored for beaver dams Daniels and Bishop Creek on the Kenai Peninsula and Coal Creek Lake Creek in the Beluga River drainage on the west side of Cook Inlet. It was not necessary to notch any dams in Packers Lake on Kalgin Island was also surveyed and this was the only area where CIAA did notch beaver dams that were impeding fish passage in Water Flow Control Water flow control structures are routinely operated by CIAA to ensure adequate water is available for salmon migration into Daniels, Marten, Packers, and Bear lakes. Due to the elodea eradication work at Daniels Lake in 2014 (see page 17), staff monitored and adjusted the flow control at the outlet for this lake several times throughout the summer, as well as monitored road bank erosion into Daniels Creek, and observed fish migration. The Marten Lake flow control structure in the Big River Lakes system on the west side of Cook Inlet was checked twice over the summer. Adjustments to this structure provided the water flow necessary for sockeye salmon to enter the lake during August. On Kalgin Island in the central Cook Inlet area, the Packers Lake flow control was checked twice. The Bear Lake flow control structure, near Seward, was monitored and adjusted by the weir crew on a continual basis between May and October. Limnology To assure stocking projects do not alter the natural trophic status of the lakes, CIAA collects and Checking the flow control structure at Daniels Lake, analyzes water samples. In 2014, CIAA collected these samples at three lakes in which it stocks salmon Hidden, Leisure, and Bear lakes. The information collected is used to evaluate the projects and ensure appropriate nutrient loading and fry stocking into these lakes. Lake Fertilization The purpose of fertilization is to increase the zooplankton population. The liquid fertilizer, applied to the lakes during the summer, helps propagate phytoplankton growth, which in turn increases zooplankton growth. Several species of zooplankton are major food sources for salmon fry. The limnology samples taken and analyzed in 2013 indicated Bear Lake did not need any fertilization, so CIAA only applied fertilization to Leisure Lake in Annual Report 15

16 Monitoring Each year, CIAA operates smolt traps and adult weirs to collect data on the numbers of smolt leaving a system and the number of adults returning. These data are used by CIAA for hatchery operations, as well as ADF&G for fisheries management. The Association also initiates and participates in special projects directly related to the enhancement or restoration of salmon production such as monitoring for invasive northern pike. Shell Lake in the Susitna River Watershed was once a significant contributor to the sockeye production in the Susitna River Watershed. Beginning in the mid-2000s, CIAA monitoring of the sockeye salmon smolt migration and the adult sockeye returns showed a steady decline in numbers. It was determined that invasive northern pike, a disease caused by the microsporidian Loma salmonidae, and another parasite known to cause Proliferative Kidney Disease (PKD) were all having a negative effect on the population of sockeye salmon. To circumvent the loss of sockeye fry Releasing smolt into Shell Lake, by the northern pike and to break the disease cycle of Loma salmonidae and PKD, CIAA began a rehabilitation program in 2012, which included salmon stocking, northern pike harvesting, and disease monitoring. The Association s goal is to restore the Shell Lake salmon population to a sustainable level. In 2012, the Association collected 91,300 eggs from 34 spawning pairs of sockeye salmon. The resulting progeny were stocked into Shell Lake as smolt (80,000) in The smolt monitoring in 2014 counted 21,202 sockeye salmon smolt, which CIAA attributes to the smolt release. Staff also attributed the loss of nearly 60,000 smolt to invasive pike predation (despite heavy pike harvesting to deter predation). Staff observed a large number of sockeye salmon smolt in the stomachs of pike harvested during the release time period. In 2014, staff set up a video weir to count the number of adult salmon returning to the lake. Similar to 2013, very few adults returned, halting plans for an eggtake there this year. In support of the hatchery programs, smolt and adult enumeration projects were conducted at Bear Lake, Hidden Lake, Leisure Lake, and English Bay Lakes in Some of the highlights from this year s counts included a strong adult sockeye salmon return at Bear Lake, higher than both 2013 and A similar trend was seen with coho salmon with a 2014 return of just over 3,000 fish (compared to 924 in 2012). The Association was in its third year of monitoring at English Bay Lakes in The smolt monitoring in 2014 at almost 127,000 sockeye smolt was similar to that of the previous two years, and the adult return was at 7,832 individuals Annual Report

17 At Leisure Lake across Kachemak Bay from Homer, CIAA began the first year of a three-year project to enumerate smolt from Leisure Lake. In 2014, 265,829 sockeye salmon smolt were counted. As part of this project, CIAA also built a tent platform for a staff camp in China Poot Bay. The platform was built to State Parks standards and will be left for the enjoyment of park visitors after this project ends. Northern Pike Investigations Through two different funding sources (CIAA and Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund, also known as AKSSF), CIAA continued to focus on invasive northern pike at lakes in the Susitna River Watershed. Northern pike are not native to Southcentral Alaska and are believed to be one of the causes of the dramatic declines of healthy salmon and trout populations in lakes and streams in this area. The focus of the 2014 field season was on harvesting pike from Whiskey, Hewitt, Chelatna, and Shell lakes. Staff are now focusing on the data collected at Whiskey, Hewitt, and Chelatna lakes over the last three years on pike habitat, movement, and predation for inclusion in a report to AKSSF in This report will also include the results of testing an electronic barrier (called Neptun) to deter northern pike from entering a system. In conjunction with the pike studies, 2014 was the third year of enumerating sockeye salmon smolt at Whiskey Lake. Preliminary data indicated that 1,395 smolt were counted this year, less than the 2,947 that were counted in 2013, and a large drop from 2012 when 15,834 smolt were counted. It is speculated that invasive northern pike predation is having an effect on this lake s salmon population. Elodea Projects In the summer of 2014, CIAA participated in a couple of Elodea (Alaska s first known invasive water weed) monitoring and eradication projects. Elodea is a common aquarium plant, but is not native to Alaska. It is a serious threat to freshwater resources and fish habitat statewide and has been found in the Fairbanks, Anchorage, Cordova, and Kenai areas. It has been known to dramatically change freshwater habitats; infest waterways making it difficult for boats to travel; reduce native vegetation, and negatively impacting land values and recreational opportunities. On the Kenai Peninsula, CIAA partnered with other organizations to eradicate the Elodea at three lakes in north Kenai: Daniels, Stormy, and Beck lakes. Two roles were filled by CIAA in this effort. First, CIAA placed booms at the outlets of Daniels and Beck lakes to help prevent Elodea from escaping the lakes after herbicide treatments. Second, CIAA helped in the water quality monitoring of the lakes prior to and after herbicide treatment by taking zooplankton samples at Daniels and Beck lakes, and taking samples at two control lakes, Island and Douglas. Results from the 2014 herbicide treatments are very promising. Treatments will continue in 2015 and CIAA plans to continue to assist with these activities. Under a grant from the Matanuska-Susitna Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership, CIAA began a project in 2014 surveying lakes in the Susitna watershed for the presence of Elodea. During this first year of a two-year project, CIAA surveyed 11 lakes in residential areas and areas with high boat and plane traffic for Elodea. No Elodea was detected in 2014 and staff will be returning in 2015 to survey again at these same lakes. Unfortunately, Elodea was found in Alexander Lake by ADF&G the first confirmed infestation in the Matanuska-Susitna Basin. Elodea sample, Beck Lake, Photo courtesy of USFWS Annual Report 17

18 Outreach & Education Providing and protecting your salmon resource is the mission of CIAA stated quite simply. In support of this mission, CIAA engages in outreach and education every year in many aspects of operations from providing tours at the hatcheries to employing young people that are interested in environmental or fisheries careers to networking with colleagues and stakeholders. Tours allow CIAA to show the important processes undertaken at the hatcheries and to demonstrate the methods used by technicians when monitoring salmon migrations. For example, in 2014, from May through September, the Bear Lake Weir in Seward receives visitors every day. Also at this weir, CIAA partners with ADF&G for the Salmon in the Classroom Program. In 2014, about 300 students from the Kenai Peninsula School District participated in this program during an eggtake at the weir and these students are incubating salmon eggs in their classrooms from CIAA-reared salmon. They will be released in the spring of 2015 as fry. Because Trail Lakes Hatchery is on the road system, it receives a lot of visitors. In 2014, there were about a dozen scheduled tours involving students from Kenai Peninsula schools and other groups (about 250 people). And over 2,000 individuals stopped at the hatchery during Tutka Bay Lagoon also had a visit from Seldovia students in 2014 as well as a few other small groups. For a second year, staff helped convey important messages about how harmful invasive species threaten salmon and other native fish to middle school students in Palmer by leading northern pike dissections. The Association sends out a newsletter, Smolts, twice yearly to a broad audience. The public can also follow along with daily salmon migration counts or access historical reports and data via CIAA s website, and stay up to date with CIAA at facebook.com/ciaa1976. Students learn about Bear Lake Weir, Involvement Board and staff members regularly serve on committees and in other groups dealing with issues related to preserving and enhancing salmon. The Association is a member of the United Fishermen of Alaska, the Matanuska Susitna Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership, the Alaska Miners Association (Fisheries Committee), and the Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership. Executive Director, Gary Fandrei, serves on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council s Public Advisory Committee representing aquaculture and mariculture interests. Mr. Fandrei also serves as the aquaculture representative on the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council, with Board Director Brent Johnson serving as the alternate representative Annual Report

19 Internship & Seasonal Employment In 2014, CIAA continued its internship program by teaming up with the Student Conservation Association, recruiting students studying fisheries, biology, and natural resources. The internship program provides exposure to Alaska s extraordinary employment opportunities in natural resources and field work experience. Since 2005, 221 interns have received fishery field experience in setting up traps and using other fish collection equipment, counting and identifying different fish species, collecting scale samples and otoliths, performing length and weight measurements, and collecting stomach and water quality samples. Some of these interns have become full-time employees for CIAA, and most go on to either graduate school or employment in natural resources fields. In 2014, just over 40 seasonal workers were hired by CIAA. A portion of the seasonal staff are college students or recent graduates seeking to gain experience in their areas of study including fisheries and environmental science. Through the internship and seasonal opportunities offered by CIAA each summer, many students are able to experience first-hand what is it like to set up traps, count and identify different fish species, collect scale and otolith samples, feed fish in the hatcheries, transport fry and smolt, capture broodstock, collect gametes and other maintenance jobs associated with working in hatcheries. Other seasonal staff are recruited from local communities (such as Nanwalek, Seldovia, and Port Graham). For many of these staff and interns, this is their first opportunity to experience real responsibilities in the field and see a project through to completion. Emily Heale (seasonal), Joann Jeplawly (intern), and Phillip Young (intern), Whiskey Lake, Annual Report 19

20 Board of Directors Board Member Cook Inlet Fishermen s Fund Steve Vanek Dave Martin, Treasurer Cook Inlet Seiners Association Matt Alward Jacob Wise Inlet Wide Commercial Fishermen Representatives Christine Brandt, 1st Vice President Robert Correia John McCombs Paul Roth Carl Hatten Kenai Peninsula Fisherman s Association Will Faulkner North Pacific Fisheries Association Jessie Nelson, Secretary Ian Pitzman Northern District Setnetters Kenny Rodgers Page Herring United Cook Inlet Drifters Association Steve Tvenstrup, 2nd Vice President Dyer VanDevere City of Homer Mark Roth City of Kachemak Emil Beaver Nelson City of Seward Tim McDonald Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Paul Shadura II Kenai Peninsula Borough Brent Johnson, President Matanuska-Susitna Borough Brian Bohman Municipality of Anchorage Sam Cotten Processor Representative Timothy Schmidt Vince Goddard Port Graham/Nanwalek Representative Melvin Malchoff As of January 30, 2015 Alternate Mark Ducker/Chris Garcia Mark Ducker/Chris Garcia Malcolm Milne Malcolm Milne Brian Koski Vacant Mark Ducker Robert Roth Carl J. Hatten Vacant Malcolm Milne/Chris Moss Malcolm Milne/Chris Moss Bob Cellers/Gary Swan Bob Cellers/Gary Swan Bob Merchant Bob Merchant Al Ray Carroll Glenn Carroll Andrew Wilder Vacant Dale Bagley Vacant Vacant Duff Hoyt Paul Shadura III Vacant Annual Report

21 The Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors dedicated to providing and protecting the salmon resources of Cook Inlet for all user groups. The Board meets annually in February and periodically from September to May to make important decisions on many of the programs conducted by CIAA. Although most Board members are appointed by the organization they represent, the Inlet Wide Commercial Fishermen Representatives are elected every three years by all Area H permit holders. Board meetings are open to the public. Committees As of January 30, 2015 Executive Committee Brent Johnson, President Christine Brandt, 1st Vice-President Steve Tvenstrup, 2nd Vice-President Jessie Nelson, Secretary Dave Martin,Treasurer John McCombs Mark Roth Finance Committee Paul Shadura II, Chair Brent Johnson Dave Martin Mark Roth Christine Brandt Legislative Committee John McCombs, Chair Sam Cotten Steve Vanek Paul Shadura II Ian Pitzman Regional Planning Team Dave Martin Mark Roth Steve Vanek Brent Johnson, Alternate Tim Schmidt, Alternate Susitna Committee Brian Bohman, Chair Sam Cotten Dave Martin Beaver Nelson Kenny Rodgers Paul Shadura II Hatchery Committee Beaver Nelson, Chair Robert Correia Brent Johnson Dave Martin Tim McDonald Jessie Nelson Kenny Rodgers Mark Roth Paul Roth Timothy Schmidt Jacob Wise 2014 Annual Report 21

22 Staff & Locations Headquarters Gary Fandrei, Executive Director Ron Carlson, Project Technician Caroline Cherry, Hatchery Operations Coordinator Cathy Cline, Temporary Project Technician Lisa Ka aihue, Special Projects Manager Matt Smukall, Biologist Andy Wizik, Biologist Vacant, Administrative Assistant Kalifornsky Beach Road Kenai, Alaska Port Graham Hatchery Mike Smimmo, Hatchery Manager P.O. Box 5547 Port Graham, Alaska Trail Lakes Hatchery Tom Prochazka, Hatchery Manager Kristin Beck, Assistant Hatchery Manager Mike Cooney, Fish Culturist Jennifer Mevissen, Fish Culturist P.O. Box 29 Moose Pass, Alaska Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery Dean Day, Hatchery Manager Jake Rice, Assistant Hatchery Manager Vacant, Fish Culturist P.O. Box 3389 Homer, Alaska Staff members Cathy Cline and Andy Wizik, Annual Report

23 2014 Seasonal Staff Hariton Active Ephim Anahonak John Bailey, Temp. Project Techician James Barley Harmony Barrus Brittany Bollman Joe Bottoms DJ Brewster Caleb Campbell David Flanagan Steven Flannigan Michael Friedrich Emma Gallagher Miranda Green Adam Grunwald Emmet Guy Emily Heale Brian Hetrick Daniel Hetrick Eric Kvasnikoff Terry Kvasnikoff Jesse Kvasnikoff Brian Lumley Ryan McGlone James McGuinness Sperry Moonin Andrew Norman Martin Norman Travis Norman Linda Noyd Matthew Olson Steve Payton Jake Paul Kristen Ressel Stan Rice Lee Scheffler Ian Stelzner Kevin Tanape Dylan Tauzer Peter Ukatish Rick Yeaton 2014 Interns Emily Cook Kaitlyn Emelander Zachary Fogarty Shaun Hamilton Joann Jeplawy Robert Sheffer Grant Truskowski Heath Turner Phillip Young Some of the hard-working seasonals and interns that were with CIAA in Annual Report 23

24 40610 Kalifornsky Beach Road Kenai, Alaska