Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association Annual Report

Transcription

1 Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association 2015 Annual Report 1

2 Executive Director s Message President s Message Several years ago we asked ourselves how we could better meet the needs of the salmon resource and the salmon fishing community during changing conditions. The answers we needed financial stability and adaptable programs to meet the new challenges of the salmon resource and its management. In 2010, we embarked on an effort to do just that. The first thing was to make sure Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA) had the financial resources to respond to our future needs. We needed a reliable revenue source that consistently covered all the costs of the projects we were operating. Our main revenue source was, and remains, the hatchery cost recovery harvests. Our hatchery cost recovery program was not reliable because it was dependent on one species sockeye salmon and most of those sockeye returned to Resurrection Bay. 1 All the fish released by CIAA are wild fish they are subjected to ocean vagaries and returns are not always predictable. In addition, sockeye salmon are more difficult to raise and have a relatively long life cycle. It takes four to six years to realize adjustments to a sockeye stocking program and relying on sockeye returns to generate cost recovery revenues in a changing environment was risky. To address the problems caused by the reliance on sockeye salmon returning to Resurrection Bay, CIAA elected to reopen the Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery for pink salmon production. Not only are pink salmon easier to raise, but they have a shorter life cycle and adjustments to pink salmon stocking programs can be realized in two years. In other words, we can readily adjust pink salmon stocking programs during changing conditions. Reopening Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery, however, still required at least six years before reaching full production because sufficient returns needed to be established to develop a reliable broodstock population. 1. CIAA began looking for a cost recovery harvest area in After several proposed locations and lengthy discussions with the ADF&G, CIAA decided to stock up to 1,536,000 additional sockeye salmon smolt to Bear Lake and Resurrection Bay with the objective that returning adults would be available for cost recovery harvest. Shortly after resuming operations at Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery, we were given the opportunity to assume ownership of the Port Graham Hatchery. This modern facility, located on saltwater in the village of Port Graham, allowed CIAA to increase its pink salmon program and provided the opportunity to diversify further with the potential to develop a future chum salmon program. We assumed ownership of the facility in April 2014 and immediately began renovation efforts. Once full production is reached, this facility will provide additional cost recovery revenue revenue that can be used for salmon rehabilitation and enhancement efforts throughout the Cook Inlet drainage. Deciding to stabilize cost recovery revenues was not the only decision we made to address the needs of the resource and the industry. We also implemented changes to our enhancement programs and expanded our efforts to fully assess those programs. For example, CIAA conducts three sockeye stocking projects in Kachemak Bay at China Poot Lake, Hazel Lake, and Tutka Bay Lagoon. We changed broodstock for the China Poot (also called Leisure Lake) and Hazel lakes projects, modified our stocking methods, and began efforts in 2013 to assess the harvest of stocked fish by collecting otolith samples from the harvest. The results have been positive. In 2013 less than 10% of salmon in the Lower Cook Inlet setnet fishery assessed for a hatchery mark were from a stocking program and by 2015 that number had increased to about 20%. There have been successes and setbacks, but we are moving toward greater program stability by moving away from relying on sockeye salmon returning to Resurrection Bay to generate most of our cost recovery revenues. We are also beginning to provide better documentation on where our stocked fish are being harvested. We haven t completed everything we set out to do yet, but we are well on our way. Desiderata is a poem copyrighted in 1927 by Indiana lawyer, Max Ehrmann. The title is Latin and means something desired as essential. Les Crane, a San Francisco talk-show host, read the poem to music by Fred Werner and it won a Grammy Award in Desiderata came over the rivers of air to my ears when I was in high school. The following are some excerpts: Desiderata Go placidly amid the noise and haste, And remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, Be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others - Even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans, Keep interested in your own career - However humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, For the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is. Sockeye salmon were counted ascending Hidden Creek beginning in Between then and 1979, the average number of ascendants was 2, The Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) gamete collection at Hidden Lake started in 1976 and the eggs were incubated at Crooked Creek Hatchery. Enhanced returns begin reaching Hidden Lake in Between then and 2004 the sockeye escapement averaged 56,484 2, for a nifty 2,720% increase. In 1988, CIAA began assisting ADF&G with the Hidden Lake project and took the endeavor over in That year, 72,060 sockeye were harvested by personal use dipnetters in Hidden Creek. In 2004 fifty-eight sockeye, sporting lures, climbed Hidden Creek. 2 Those lures are as beautiful as bone fide butterflies. They stand as a silent testament to people who benefit from this stocking program. If 58 got away with a hook, hundreds must have been caught. Sockeye typically reach Hidden Creek in late July after passing through commercial, sport, personal use, educational, and subsistence fisheries. And so it shows, everywhere CIAA goes with a project, blessings follow. Even the bears are fond of enhancement and people go to Hidden Creek to view the mystic omnivores. In 2016 CIAA continues Hidden Lake enhancement, while also celebrating 40 years of work, hope, dreams and goals. Desiderata 1. Enhancement of Hidden Lake Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhyncnus nerka) Summary of Fisheries Production ( ) by G. B.Kyle, D. S. Litchfield, and G. L. Todd 2. Hidden Lake Sockeye Salmon Enhancement Progress Report

3 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 3. 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. Financial Summary June 30, 2015 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $2,111,711 Grants receivable $137,163 Other receivables $56,569 Inventory $93,078 Prepaids $271,667 Total current assets $2,670,188 Construction in progress $213,198 Property and equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation and amorization $9,389,800 $12,273,186 Liabilities and Net Assets Current liabilities: Accounts payable $84,328 Accrued payroll liabilities $128,217 Notes payable, current $155,377 Total current liabilities $367,922 Notes payable, less portion classified as current $10,078,060 Total liabilities $10,455,982 Net assets: Temporarily restricted $352,282 Unrestricted $1,474,922 Total net assets $1,827,204 4 The financial information presented is a summary. For a full report, please contact CIAA at $12,273,186

4 Cook Inlet Region Hatcheries and headquarters building Miles English Bay Lakes Chelatna Lake Trail Lakes Hatchery Municipality of Anchorage Eklutna Salmon Hatchery Whiskey & Hewitt Lakes Daniels Lake Hidden Lake Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery Leisure & Hazel Lakes Bear Lake & Resurrection Bay Headquarters Kenai Packers Lake Marten Lake Kenai Peninsula Borough Shell Lake 2015 Monitoring and habitat project sites 20 Paint River Port Graham Hatchery 200 Alaska Map Company, LLC Miles Matanuska-Susitna Borough In the map below, the lightened area depicts the watershed boundary. The dashed line depicts the boundaries of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Municipality of Anchorage, and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. This political boundary is closely aligned with the watershed boundary. As a private, non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alaska, CIAA engages in salmon enhancement and habitat 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 drainage area feeding Cook Inlet is over 38,000 square miles and reaches as far north as Denali and east almost as far as Glenallen. 7 6

5 Trail Lakes Hatchery 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. Capital improvement projects continued in 2015 with grant funding provided by the Alaska State Legislature. This funding has been spent for much needed maintenance and repair. In 2015, Trail Lakes completed a review of options for improving the wastewater treatment system. In 2016, Trail Lakes will be selecting an option and moving ahead with phase 1 of the construction. Overall, over $1,495,671 has been spent on upgrades to the facility since Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery 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 In 2015, Tutka successfully stocked over 1 million unfed pink salmon fry into Upper Paint Lake. Adult returns from this release will occur in Additionally, 11,250,000 pink salmon (Tutka stock) were released into Tutka Bay. Egg collection in 2015 proved to be a challenging task for most areas because warm water temperatures, low oxygen levels, and plankton blooms impacted the survivability of the broodstock. Egg targets were met at Bear Lake and Hidden Lake but fell significantly short with the English Bay Lakes stock. Due to this shortage, there will be no stocking in 2016 at Hazel or Leisure lakes. Adult pink salmon returns to Tutka Bay were one of the best since CIAA took over operation of the facility in terms of marine survival. Over 2.4 million adult pink salmon returned to Tutka Bay Lagoon. Unfortunately, due to this large return, warm water temperatures, low dissolved oxygen levels, plankton blooms, and catcher/tender boat availability, Tutka experienced a high mortality rate in the captured broodstock. Hence despite adequate returns only 29,126,000 green pink salmon eggs were collected. No broodstock/gamete collection occurred with the Bruin Bay stock. Hatcheries Capital improvement projects that began in 2010 due to Alaska State Legislature grant funding continued into 2015 with the installation of new headbox for the settling tank. Over $2,040,152 has been spent on upgrades to the facility since

6 Port Graham Hatchery Eggtake at Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery Photo courtesy of Kentaro Yusui In 2015, Port Graham Hatchery saw the completion of a $2.8 million renovation project that was started in Due to the construction, the incubation of 3,196,000 pink salmon (Port Graham stock) had taken place at Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery. In the spring of 2015, the progeny from this gamete collection were transferred to Port Graham Hatchery as unfed fry for short-term rearing before being released into Port Graham Bay. With the completion of the renovation project, the next step in the hatchery program is to develop the broodstock for the hatchery program. In order to do this, CIAA must first collect broodstock from the donor stock of Port Graham River. Only fish excess to the Port Graham River escapement goal can be used for broodstock. Excess adult pink salmon from the common property fishery was purchased by CIAA in order to move the program forward. As with the other two hatcheries, Port Graham experienced higher than normal broodstock mortalities due to warm water temperatures and plankton blooms, which impacted the number of eggs collected. Eklutna Salmon Hatchery The 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 served 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. At the end of 2014, the Eklutna Salmon Hatchery was broken into and vandalized. In 2015, CIAA worked closely with law enforcement, the court system, and the insurance agency to successfully reach an insurance settlement as well as the sentencing of six individuals for this felony crime. Repairs that were necessary to have the facility operational for ADF&G s imprinting and release of Chinook salmon were completed by CIAA. Although CIAA owns the hatchery buildings, the property is leased from the Department of Natural Resources (ADNR). Over the last couple of years, CIAA has been working with ADNR to establish conditions for a new lease. As a requirement of this lease, CIAA must complete a State Land survey of the property. This land survey is currently taking place and should be completed in

7 Evaluation Cost Recovery 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 removes the otoliths from the fish to identify which fish 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. To recover operational costs for our hatchery programs, CIAA develops cost-recovery harvest plans for areas where hatchery-raised fish will be returning. These areas are known as Special Harvest Areas (SHAs) 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 SHA to the commercial fleet. For 2015, it was projected that nearly all the cost recovery harvest would occur at Resurrection Bay in order to meet the corporate cost recovery goal of $4.1 million. This would leave the adult sockeye salmon returns at China Poot/Neptune Bay, Kirschner Lake and at Tutka Bay Lagoon, in addition to the adult pink salmon returns at Tutka Bay Lagoon to be available for harvest by the commercial fleet. However, the returns at Resurrection Bay/Bear Lake turned out to be significantly less than projected. This forced CIAA to perform harvests for cost recovery at the other SHAs. Despite the disappointment with the sockeye return at Resurrection Bay/Bear Lake, there were some high points. Sockeye returns to Kirschner Lake and Tutka Bay Lagoon were either at or over projections and the adult pink salmon return to Tutka far exceeded initial estimates with nearly 2.1 adult pink salmon being harvested Cost Recovery Location Species Number Revenue Resurrection Bay Sockeye 94,652 $906,761 Tutka Bay Lagoon Sockeye 31,105 $173,741 Hidden Lake* Sockeye 400 $399 Kirschner Lake Sockeye 23,571 $130,403 Tutka Bay Lagoon Pink 2,141,201 $1,360,299 Total 2,290,929 $2,571,603 *Fish that were collected for otolith analysis and then sold. Bear Lake, Hidden Lake, and English Bay Lakes have been the primary focus for otolith evaluation. In 2015, CIAA also collected otoliths from sockeye cost recovery harvests from Resurrection Bay and Bear Lake. Samples from the common property fishery in Kachemak Bay were also collected by ADF&G in 2015 and given to CIAA for analysis to assist ADF&G in this evaluation. There are also future plans to include evaluations of the Tutka, Port Graham, and Paint River pink salmon, and Leisure Lake sockeye salmon

8 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. For the second year in a row since opening this ladder, naturally-spawned salmon are using the ladder with several fish seen in and above the ladder this year. As mentioned earlier in this report, CIAA successfully stocked over 1 million unfed pink salmon fry into Upper Paint Lake in Adult salmon from this release will return in 2016 and future activities at the ladder include the installation of a video monitoring system to assist in counting returning salmon both the hatchery-raised pinks and the naturally-spawned salmon that are using the ladder. The hatchery stocking is intended to subside once the pink salmon establish themselves in the system. 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 there is enough time for salmon to pass before the beavers rebuild the notched area. Beaver dam monitoring and any subsequent notching is a very unobtrusive activity that provides a lot of benefit for salmon trying to reach spawning areas. Notching a beaver dam at Trinity Creek In 2015, beaver dam surveys were conducted for several water bodies in the Susitna River watershed: Movie, Shell, Nancy, Judd, Trapper, Trinity, Redshirt and Talachulitna lakes. Staff observed dams blocking salmon passage at some of these systems. For example, seven dams were notched on Shell Creek alone this year. Five systems in the Cook Inlet watershed were also monitored for beaver dams Daniels, Bishop, and Hidden Creek on the Kenai Peninsula; Coal Creek Lake Creek in the Beluga River drainage on the west side of Cook Inlet; and Packers Lake on Kalgin Island. Staff only found it necessary to notch beaver dams on Hidden Creek 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 2015, 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 late August. On Kalgin Island, 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 analyzes water samples. In 2015, 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. Samples were also taken at Tustumena Lake in 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. In 2015, fertilizer was applied to Leisure and Bear lakes. Salmon pooling at the outlet to Marten Lake Zooplankton sample 14 15

9 Monitoring Smolt and Adult 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. In support of the hatchery programs, smolt and adult enumeration projects were conducted at Bear Lake, Hidden Lake, English Bay Lakes, and Leisure Lake (also called China Poot Lake) in Some of the highlights from this year s counts included a strong sockeye salmon smolt migration at all four locations. The same could be said for the coho salmon smolt migration from Bear Lake. However, adult salmon returns were more variable. Returns were adequate at Bear Lake for both the sockeye and coho salmon but were below predicted returns at English Bay Lakes and Hidden Lake. No adult monitoring was performed at Leisure Lake, which is a barriered lake. No adult salmon escape to this lake. 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 other parasites were all having a negative effect on the population of sockeye salmon. To circumvent the loss of sockeye fry by the northern pike and to break the disease cycle, CIAA began a rehabilitation program in 2012, which included salmon stocking, northern pike harvesting, and disease monitoring. From eggs collected at Shell Lake in 2012, the 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. In 2015, just 60 sockeye smolt were counted leaving the lake. Staff set up a video weir to count the number of adult salmon returning to the lake. Similar to 2013 and 2014, very few adults returned in 2015, halting plans for an eggtake. The adult fish from the 2014 stocking should return in 2016, and CIAA is working with ADF&G to further plan the rehabilitation of this system. Hidden Creek Weir For the 17th year under CIAA s operation, staff enumerated salmon smolt leaving Tustumena Lake. This project was not in place in 2014, but with funding provided by a State Legislative Grant and ADF&G, CIAA was able to operate this project in A strong sockeye salmon smolt migration was recorded, with an estimated 9.8 million sockeye smolt migrating. Invasive Species For several years now, CIAA has focused on invasive species threats to salmon and their habitat. In 2015, CIAA finished a report on a three-year study ( ) funded by the Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund (AKSSF) investigating northern pike at Whiskey, Hewitt, and Chelatna lakes in the Susitna watershed, as well as testing an electronic barrier to deter northern pike from entering a system. This AKSSFfunded project provided information on northern pike movements, habitat preferences, and the most effective sampling methods that will help establish mitigation plans for individual lakes Although the grant funding ended, CIAA continued to focus on northern pike in 2015 using CIAA funding. The focus of the 2015 field season was on harvesting pike from Whiskey, Hewitt, Chelatna, and Shell lakes. In addition, CIAA worked Northern pike harvesting, Shell Lake with the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and ADF&G to perform a pilot study for the detection of northern pike in the Tyonek watershed using environmental DNA a surveillance tool used to monitor for the genetic presence of an aquatic species. By taking water samples and processing them in a laboratory, the presence of a species can be detected without having to actually catch that species. Samples were taken in the Tyonek Watershed from Three-Mile Creek, Nicolai Creek, Chuitna Lake, Big Lake, and Three-Mile Lake. When the analyses are complete, CIAA will continue to work with the partners in this project to determine the next step in preventing northern pike from invading the Tyonek Watershed. In the summer of 2015, CIAA continued to participate in a couple of Elodea (Alaska s first known invasive water weed) monitoring and eradication projects. 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 impact land values and recreational opportunities. On the Kenai Peninsula, CIAA partnered with other organizations to eradicate Elodea at three lakes in north Kenai: Daniels, Stormy, and Beck lakes. In 2015, CIAA helped in the water quality monitoring by taking zooplankton samples at Daniels and Beck lakes, and at two control lakes, Island and Douglas. Results from two years of treatments (2014 and 2015) indicate that this weed has been eradicated from these lakes, although monitoring will continue in 2016 and CIAA plans to continue to assist with these activities. Under a grant from the Matanuska-Susitna Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership, CIAA finished a project in 2015 surveying lakes in the Susitna watershed for the presence of Elodea. During this second year of a two-year project, CIAA surveyed 11 lakes in residential areas and areas with high boat and plane traffic for Elodea and none was found in

10 Board of Directors As of January 25, 2016 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. 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 John Gucer Northern District Setnetters Kenny Rodgers Page Herring United Cook Inlet Drifters Association Bob Merchant Dyer VanDevere City of Homer Mark Roth City of Kachemak Emil Beaver Nelson, 2nd Vice President 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 Processor Representative Timothy Schmidt Vince Goddard Port Graham/Nanwalek Representative Alternate Mark Ducker/Chris Garcia Mark Ducker/Chris Garcia Malcolm Milne Malcolm Milne Brian Koski Caroline Correia Mark Ducker Robert Roth Carl J. Hatten Malcolm Milne/Chris Moss Ian Pitzman Bob Cellers/Gary Swan Bob Cellers/Gary Swan Steve Tvenstrup Steve Tvenstrup Al Ray Carroll Glenn Carroll Andrew Wilder Dale Bagley Hunter Hammer Paul Shadura III Committees Executive Committee Brent Johnson, President Christine Brandt, 1st Vice-President Beaver Nelson, 2nd Vice-President Jessie Nelson, Secretary Dave Martin,Treasurer John McCombs Mark Roth Legislative Committee John McCombs, Chair Steve Vanek Paul Shadura II Finance Committee Paul Shadura II, Chair Brent Johnson Dave Martin Mark Roth Christine Brandt Matt Alward Regional Planning Team Dave Martin Mark Roth Steve Vanek Brent Johnson, Alternate Tim Schmidt, Alternate Susitna Committee Brian Bohman, Chair 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 18 Jacob Wise 19 Matt Alward Beaver & Jessie Nelson Steve Vanek John McCombs

11 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, with the goal of promoting the preservation of the Cook Inlet salmon resource for all user groups. Hatchery Tours Tours allow CIAA to show the important processes undertaken at the hatcheries and to demonstrate the methods used by technicians when monitoring salmon migrations. Trail Lakes Hatchery, which is on the road system, offers one of the best opportunities for students and other visitors to learn about the salmon life cycle and hatchery operations. People visit every day in the summer months, while there are fewer visitors in the winter months. Several school groups toured the facility in Trail Lakes Hatchery also operates a weir at Bear Creek, which is again easily accessible by road and visited by hundreds of people throughout the summer looking to learn about the smolt leaving the lake or the adults returning. Although located remotely across Kachemak Bay, Tutka Bay Lagoon also provides tours. During July of 2015, students and adults from the nearby community of Seldovia hiked to the lagoon and learned about the Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery broodstock. Staff at the hatchery also provided less formal tours to kayakers and hikers that wander into the lagoon, including a returning group from Poland. This hatchery also hosted a tour of the Alaska State Parks Kachemak Bay State Park Citizen Advisory Board in The staff at Port Graham had a unique opportunity this year to open the doors of the newly-renovated facility. An open house was held in April for community members. Salmon in the Classroom Every year, CIAA partners with ADF&G for the Salmon in the Classroom Program. In 2015, a little over 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 CIAAreared salmon. They will be released in the spring of 2016 as fry. This is always a fun time for students and CIAA staff! Involvement Board and staff members regularly serve on committees and in other groups dealing with issues related to preserving and enhancing salmon fisheries. Staff and/or board members of CIAA participated in the following organizations in 2015: United Fishermen of Alaska Matanuska Susitna Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership Alaska Miners Association (Fisheries Committee) Kenai Peninsula Fish Habitat Partnership Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council s Public Advisory Committee Fisheries Tech. Advisory Committee Chefs and food writers learn about the five species of Pacific salmon and the role of hatcheries in Alaska, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Culinary Trip There are many opportunities throughout the year for CIAA to engage in various meetings and events. In 2015, CIAA gave presentations, or participated in some way at the following events: Kenai River Festival Kenai Watershed Forum s water quality sampling to check the health of the Kenai River Watershed by collecting water quality samples Industry Appreciation Day in Kenai, where CIAA received Fish Producer of the Year award Seward Silver Salmon Derby Junior Achievement s JA in a Day at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary Matanuska-Susitna Salmon Habitat Partnership Site Tour Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Culinary Trip at Tutka Bay Lodge 2015 Alaska Chapter Meeting of the American Fisheries Society Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium These are just some of the highlights of the various events CIAA took part in during Other meetings not listed include those with local governments, businesses, and civic organizations for the purpose of providing general education about CIAA and its activities. Publications Twice yearly, CIAA sends out its newsletter, Smolts, 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/ciaa Salmon in the Classroom 21

12 In 2015, just over 30 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 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, this is their first opportunity to experience real responsibilities in the field and see a project through to completion. Although CIAA often recruits interns, there was no internship program in Staff & Locations Headquarters Gary Fandrei, Executive Director Ron Carlson, Project Technician Caroline Cherry, Hatchery Operations Coordinator Cathy Cline, Temporary Project Technician Rodney Hobby, Biologist Lisa Ka aihue, Special Projects Manager Barbara Morgan, Accounting Specialist/Office Assistant Andy Wizik, Biologist Kalifornsky Beach Road, Kenai, Alaska Port Graham Hatchery Mike Smimmo, Hatchery Manager, Assistant Hatchery Manager Ephim Anahonak, Fish Culturist, Temporary Fish Culturist Photo courtesy of Kentaro Yusui 2015 Seasonals Lauren Bailey Brittany Bollman, Temporary Fish Culturist Caleb Campbell Jason Dowell Kaitlyn Emelander Jeff Evans Miranda Green, Temporary Fish Culturist Richard Hart Emily Heale, Temporary Project Technician Brian Hetrick Rodney Hobby Joann Jeplawy Genevieve Johnson Elizabeth Kvasnikoff Jesse Kvasnikoff Peter Leonard Moriah Marquez Sperry Moonin Andrew Norman Nikalai Norman Linda Noyd Kelli Palaka Eric Powell Sarah Reinelt Rose Robinson Lee Scheffler Nicholias Seifert Bryan Snyder Eric Tanape Joshua Thomas Carter Ullman Lawrence Yeaton, Temporary Fish Culturist Phillip Young 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, Temporary Fish Culturist P.O. Box 29, Moose Pass, Alaska Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery Dean Day, Hatchery Manager, Assistant Hatchery Manager Adam Sullivan, Fish Culturist Charles Wlasniewski, Fish Culturist P.O. Box 3389, Homer, Alaska Seasonal Staff Photo courtesy of Kentaro Yusui

13 40610 Kalifornsky Beach Road Kenai, Alaska