Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team

Transcription

1 Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team As authorized under AAC RPT Meeting Wednesday, May, 0 Thursday, May 0, 0 Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center :00 am :00 pm daily Wednesday, May, 0 DRAFT AGENDA :00am Call to order RPT Roll call of attendance/establishment of a quorum Review of Agenda/Amend/Revise/Adopt Introductions by Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team Chair Review and approval of April, 0 RPT meeting notes 0:0-0:am BREAK New Business 0: :00pm Public input :00 :0pm LUNCH (provided on site by Bering Sea Fishermen s Association) :0 :00pm Public input :00 :pm BREAK : :00pm Public input (and/or RPT work session) :00pm Adjournment for the day Thursday, May 0, 0 :00am Call to order RPT Roll call of attendance/establishment of a quorum RPT Member reflections on public input

2 New Business:. Review of Kuskokwim Salmon Enhancement FAQ sheet Amend and Adopt. Review draft public outreach plan Amend and Adopt 0:0-0:am BREAK. Review of CSP Review Cover Letter Amend and Adopt. Review of Draft KCSP document Amend and Adopt section by section :00 :0pm LUNCH (provided on site by Bering Sea Fishermen s Association) :0 :00pm Continue review of Draft KCSP document :00 :pm BREAK : :pm Continue review of Draft KCSP document :pm :00pm Establish next meeting date Adjournment

3 Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team Roster Jim Simon Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team, Chair (BSFA consultant) 0--0 Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sam Rabung Aquaculture Section Chief 0-- John Linderman AYK Commercial Fisheries Regional Supervisor 0-- Caroline Brown AYK Subsistence Regional Program Manager 0-- Tim Viavant AYK Sport Fisheries Regional Management Coordinator 0-- Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission Robert Lekander Bethel KRITFC Executive Council Commissioner no Gerald Kameroff Kalskag KRITFC Executive Councill Commissioner (rare access) 0-- Jonathan Samuelson Georgetown KRITFC Executive Council Commissioner (Alternate KRITFC RPT member) 0-- Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group Barb Carlson KRSMWG Co-Chair (Alternate: LaMont Albertson; 0--0) 0-- LaMont Albertson KRSMWG Co-Chair (Alternate KRSMWG RPT member) 0--0 David Bill Central Bering Sea Fish and Game Advisory Committee (Alternate CBS AC member TBD) 0-0- Ex-Officio Members Jennifer Hooper AVCP Director of Natural Resources 0-- Kevin Whitworth Tanana Chiefs Conference representative (MTNT)(Alternates B. Stevens & O. Huntington 0-- Morgen Crow Coastal Village Region Fund Aaron Moses USFWS Yukon Delta NWR (Alternate: Lew Coggins Associated Staff from Bering Sea Fishermen's Association (PSMFC Grant Recipient for CSP plan development) Karen Gillis Bering Sea Fishermen's Association, Executive Director 0-- ext. Michele Henzler Bering Sea Fishermen's Association, Finance Director 0-- ext. Pearl Dotomain Bering Sea Fishermen's Association, Public Outreach Coordinator 0-- ext.

4 Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team As authorized under AAC April, 0 DRAFT meeting notes The first meeting of the Kuskokwim Area Regional Planning Team (KRPT) took place on April, 0 at the ADF&G sport fisheries hatchery on Ship Creek in Anchorage, Alaska. The meeting was called to order at :00AM after waiting for additional RPT members to arrive. The following RPT members were present: Sam Rabung, ADF&G John Linderman, ADF&G Caroline Brown, ADF&G (late) Barbara Carlson, KRSMWG Robert Lekander, KRITFC Gerald Kameroff, KRITFC David Bill, Central Bering Sea AC The following RPT alternate members were present: LaMont Albertson, KRSMWG Jonathan Samuelson, KRITFC The following non-voting Ex-Officio members of the KRPT were present: Jennifer Hooper, AVCP Kevin Whitworth, TCC Aaron Moses, USFWS Additional attendees: Jill Klein, ADF&G Chuck Brazil, ADF&G The following RPT members and Ex-Officio members that were not present: Tim Viavant, ADF&G Morgen Crow, CVRF A brief history of the Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team was reviewed for the benefit of the group, including establishment of the RPT membership organizations by ADF&G Commissioner Cotten on November, 0. The draft agenda prepared by Sam Rabung was moved and adopted by the RPT. RPT Chairperson Selection First item on the agenda was the election of a Regional Planning Team chairperson, whose duties are outlined in state regulations ( AAC 0.0). Member Carlson asked about the role and duties of the chairperson. Member Rabung clarified that the Chairperson is typically a neutral, non-voting member of the RPT, who may or may not be an actual appointed representative on the RPT. The RPT chairperson is elected by the voting-members of the RPT. Member Viavant, who was unable to attend the meeting in person due to illness, had recommended that Jim Simon serve as Chairperson, which members Rabung and Linderman also recommended. Jim Simon was elected chair by unanimous consent. Voting Rules RPTs operate following the meeting principles outlined in Robert s Rules of Order. Member Rabung led a discussion of the importance of outlining and documenting a method for decision-

5 making by the RPT prior to taking group action. The RPT adopted a goal of consensus decisionmaking with a ¾ vote of membership when 00% consensus cannot be reached by a quorum of the RPT. Motion made by Member Rabung, seconded by Member Linderman. Number of RPT members providing a quorum Needed votes to pass The RPT also determined that a quorum will represent more member than 0% of the RPT membership, which represents as the required number of RPT members to be present to hold a meeting where action will be taken. Member Rabung provided an overview of the Alaska salmon fishery enhancement regulations, statutes, and program by reviewing the ADF&G mission statement and sustained yield management principle. Member Rabung also clarified that this planning effort is designed to contribute to the rehabilitation of salmon fisheries, namely human harvests of salmon and not about the management of the fish themselves, through a stakeholder-driven process. Alaska s salmon fishery enhancement program began in the 0s with specific measures put into place to protect wild salmon stocks and populations. Typically, these Comprehensive Salmon Plans (CSP) are developed by Regional Aquaculture Associations, but in the absence of such a group in the Kuskokwim region, this ad-hoc effort was supported by the ADF&G Commissioner, recognizing that the resulting plan could be eventually replaced if a Regional Aquaculture Association is established in the Kuskokwim region. The Regional Planning Team (RPT) serves an advisory role to ADF&G and drafts and maintains a comprehensive salmon enhancement or hatchery plan for the region. The RPT reviews all hatchery permit requests. The RPT reviews all annual hatchery management plans. RPT members were shown where to access other CSPs on the ADF&G website. The primary role of the RPT is to develop salmon production goals by species, area, and time within a Phase CSP. The second role of the RPT relates to oversight of hatchery permitting. Another role of the RPT, if possible, is to identify potential enhancement projects. A Phase CSP would focus specifically on salmon fishery enhancement projects, if any could be identified that would supplement natural wild salmon stock production. A Phase CSP comes into once there is a hatchery established in the region; in such cases, these are funded by commercial fishermen through tax collection from commercial fish sales that are then provided to Regional Aquaculture Associations to pay for hatchery operations. Member Rabung indicated that he didn t know whether another spot for a hatchery in Alaska to will meet and follow the standards adopted by the Alaska Legislature. Member Rabung shared with the RPT that it would be very difficult to design an in-river hatchery because of the program requirements and restrictions in place. RPT Chair Simon mentioned the Gulkana River hatchery in the Copper River basin where he is from, and Member Rabung clarified that such a hatchery would

6 not be allowed under current rules and that the Gulkana hatchery was grandfathered in to continue operations. Member Rabung clarified that in river systems like the Kuskokwim, there are two possibilities: () a marked-selective fishery, (a very expensive program) where enhanced or produced fish are marked so that they can be identified during harvest and retained and unmarked or wild fish can be released; or () find an unutilized drainage to add salmon to and then hatchery can only harvest in terminal harvest areas. One RPT member asked whether the current funding available included funds to construct a hatchery. RPT discussion clarified that existing funding is only to support the plan development process. RPT members indicated concerns about how to best inform the public as to what this process is about and what it is not about. Recommended drafting a one-pager overview handout and some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The meeting adjourned at :pm.

7 Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team As authorized under AAC SALMON ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FAQs: What is a salmon enhancement program? A regional plan to rehabilitate natural salmon stocks and supplement natural salmon production to create more harvest opportunities for salmon without adversely affecting the production and harvest of naturally occurring stocks. Most commonly, people think of a salmon enhancement program in terms of hatcheries. The program is stakeholder-driven, with provisions for planning and oversight by representatives of regional user groups. Adoption of a program does not mean that funding is available. Who has the authority to make a decision about this program? Alaska is divided into several salmon planning regions designated by the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). The RPT is comprised of voting members that includes: o members from the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission, o member from the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group, o member from the Kuskokwim Bay area of the Central Bering Sea Fish and Game Advisory Committee, and o o members from ADF&G ex-officio non-voting members to ensure broader representation, including the Association of Village Council Presidents, Tanana Chiefs Conference, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Coastal Villages Regional Fund. How does the process of drafting a CSP work? The process of drafting or updating a CSP is unique to each RPT with the exception of the requirement for ADF&G and public reviews, and final approval by the ADF&G Commissioner. Completion and acceptance a CSP must follow a definite and widely publicized process that provides as much opportunity for input as possible. Under the State of Alaska Administrative Code, that process includes the following: The draft regional comprehensive salmon plan must be distributed for public review; The regional planning team shall respond to comments received as a result of these reviews, and may incorporate them in the final draft of the regional comprehensive salmon plan; The regional planning team shall submit a final draft of the regional comprehensive salmon plan to the commissioner of ADF&G for review and approval. Additional public outreach during CSP drafting often entails public meetings held in communities within the region to solicit stakeholder input, postal surveys, and a public review and comment period. This process can take from several months to years, depending upon the amount of drafting necessary, the level of involvement by stakeholders, and the available financial support for the work. What happens after the Public Meetings? The RPT will determine salmon production goals and determine if salmon rehabilitation or enhancement/hatcheries are appropriate for the Kuskokwim region, and, if so, develop lists of potential projects, by species and area, to rehabilitate natural salmon stocks and supplement natural salmon production without harming natural stocks of Kuskokwim salmon. This is a necessary first step required by the Alaska legislature before any applications for a salmon hatchery permit would be considered. Approval of a regional comprehensive salmon plan by the ADF&G Commissioner does not mean that salmon enhancement would necessarily occur in the Kuskokwim region, as such efforts required substantial sources of funding that would have to first be secured before any rehabilitation or enhancement of Kuskokwim salmon could take place.

8 Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team As authorized under AAC DRAFT Kuskokwim Area Comprehensive Salmon Plan for Alaska - Phase I Public Outreach Plan May 0 ) April, 0: st Kuskokwim Area Regional Planning Team (KRPT) meeting in Anchorage. Primarily an introductory and scoping meeting to begin process of drafting the Kuskokwim Area Comprehensive Salmon Plan (KCSP). ) May -0, 0: Stakeholder scoping workshop followed by KRPT meeting in Bethel. Determine if public survey is desired and develop draft. Initiate development of CSP draft. ) May - August 0: Announcement of KCSP development for distribution to Kuskokwim Area communities. Solicitation of additional scoping input from communities and organizations throughout Kuskokwim Area (mail, web, , survey?). Schedule at least multi-day KRPT meeting to continue development of CSP draft. ) September - November 0: Schedule - multi-day KRPT meetings to continue development of CSP draft. Discussion and planning for community meetings. ) January - April 0: Kuskokwim River community and general public outreach meetings to gather CSP feedback - KRPT member and other villages/towns, - tentative meeting locations: -Kuskokwim Bay (Quinhagak, Goodnews Bay, Toksook Bay, others?) -Lower Kuskokwim River (Tuntutuliak, Tundra Village ( of ), Bethel, Kwethluk, Akiak, Tuluksak, others?) -Middle Kuskokwim River (Kalskag, Aniak, Crooked Creek, Sleetmute, others?) -Upper Kuskokwim River (Takotna, McGrath, Nikolai, others?) ) March - May 0: Outreach opportunities at Kuskokwim River salmon planning meetings: - Kuskokwim Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Meeting(s) - Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group meeting(s) - Various Kuskokwim Area Advisory Committee (AC) meetings - Federal Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) meetings - Other? ) April - May 0: Schedule - multi-day KRPT meetings to finalize KCSP public review draft and incorporate feedback and input from community meetings. ) Summer 0: Public review and comment period. KRPT meetings as needed to address public review comments and finalize KCSP. Submission to ADF&G Commissioner by August, 0 for final review and approval.

9 Bering Sea Fishermen's Association N Street, Suite 0 Anchorage, Alaska 0 (0) - or () - FAX (0) - April, 0 On behalf of the Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team As authorized under AAC To all interested in Kuskokwim area salmon resources: The Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team (RPT) is preparing a Kuskokwim Regional Comprehensive Salmon Plan (CSP) and seeks your input and participation during the upcoming public meeting on MAY, 0: What: Public Meeting on Kuskokwim Regional Comprehensive Salmon Plan When: - p.m., May,, 0 Where: Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center in Bethel During this meeting, all are invited to share their perspectives, concerns and questions on community concerns, salmon use, priorities and preferences, and ideas of what specifically might be done to sustain or increase salmon production, including a hatchery. Please note that this is not a meeting to discuss a specific hatchery or project, but to provide input on the proposed plan, which would serve as a guide for any future salmon enhancement activities in the region. This is NOT a meeting to discuss regulations, restrictions, and other management issues. There is not presently a Kuskokwim CSP, however, other plans from throughout Alaska can be viewed at the ADF&G website: Please take this opportunity to review the current draft components of the Kuskokwim CSP and provide comments to the RPT to assist with the completing of the plan. Additional opportunities for commenting will be available when the final draft CSP is circulated for review. Please submit written comments through the Chairman: Mailing address: Jim Simon, PhD, Chairman Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team HC0 Box Fairbanks, AK 0 jjksimon@yahoo.com Telephone: 0--0 If you have any questions or require further information, please don t hesitate to ask. Please feel free to circulate this letter as you see fit. Thank you.

10 Chapter. ALASKA S FISHERY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW: AUTHORITY, PURPOSE, AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Comprehensive salmon production planning represents a process of evaluating the region s salmon fisheries, setting production goals by species, area, and time, and identifying fisheries restoration, rehabilitation, enhancement research, and management priorities for the salmon resources of Kuskokwim Fisheries Management Area. This section provides the legislative authority and background for the salmon fisheries enhancement program in the State of Alaska... Salmon Fishery Enhancement Program The salmon fishery enhancement program in Alaska is intended to benefit the public by providing additional harvest opportunities to regional salmon fisheries without adversely affecting natural stocks (Stopha 0:). Alaska statutes (AS) and the regulations, management regimes, and policies of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) address the methods, means, and constraints for providing these fish. The realization of this program is coordinated by the regional planning team (RPT), who in its pivotal role will () develop regional plans that establish production/project goals, objectives, and guidelines; and () assume responsibility for insuring that proposed projects are consistent with the regional plan and that they optimize public benefits without jeopardizing natural stocks... Constitution of the State of Alaska The Constitution of the State of Alaska Article VIII Natural Resources enshrines the framework for management and protection of natural resources. Protection of the sustained yield of fishery resources is a fundamental principle of the Alaska hatchery program. These inherent protections are listed below:. General Authority The legislature shall provide for the utilization, development, and conservation of all natural resources belonging to the state, including land, and waters, for the maximum benefit of the people.. Common Use Whenever occurring in their natural state, fish, wildlife, and waters are reserved for the people for common use.. Sustained Yield Fish and all other renewable resources belonging to the state shall be utilized, developed, and maintained on the sustained yield principle, subject to preferences among beneficial uses.. No Exclusive Right of Fishery [as amended in to allow limited entry and aquaculture] No exclusive right or special privilege shall be created or authorized in the natural waters of the state. This section does not restrict the power of the state to limit entry into any fishery for purposes of resource conservation, to prevent economic distress among fishermen and those dependent upon them for a livelihood and to promote the efficient development of aquaculture in the state. With the adoption of the Alaska State Constitution, Ordinance No. Abolition of Fish Traps also was voted on by the convention members and passed, with the following language becoming effective on the adoption date of the constitution: P age

11 As a matter of immediate public necessity, to relieve economic distress among individual fishermen and those dependent upon them for a livelihood, to conserve the rapidly dwindling supply of salmon in Alaska, to insure fair competition among those engaged in commercial fishing, and to make manifest the will of the people of Alaska, the use of fish traps for the taking of salmon for commercial purposes is hereby prohibited in all the coastal water of the State. In 0, ADF&G assumed management authority over the fisheries from the U.S. federal government with the strong constitutional mandate to conserve wild stocks. The Alaska Legislature, recognizing the importance of fish and game to the fledgling state, further strengthened this mandate by designating ADF&G a cabinet level department operated by a commissioner who answers directly to the Governor. AS.0.00 emphasizes the directives of the Alaska Constitution in its description of the functions of the commissioner. The commissioner shall () manage, protect, maintain, improve, and extend the fish, game and aquatic plant resources of the state in the interest of the economy and general well-being of the state. While ADF&G was given the responsibility to manage fisheries to maintain sustained yield, the Board of Fisheries was given the responsibility for allocating that yield to the users of the resource. The clear separation of conservation authority from allocation authority is one of the strengths of Alaska s fishery management system (Meacham and Clark )... Alaska Department of Fish and Game ADF&G is responsible for salmon resource management in the State of Alaska. The overall mission of ADF&G is as follows: To protect, maintain, and improve the fish, game, and aquatic plant resources of the state, and manage their use and development in the best interest of the economy and the wellbeing of the people of the state, consistent with the sustained yield principle. Several divisions within ADF&G share responsibility for maintenance and management of salmon resources in the state. The Division of Commercial Fisheries (CF) provides the services of stock management and assessment; laboratory services in genetics, pathology, and marking/tagging; aquaculture permitting, evaluation and oversight; and maintenance of programs for dissemination of information and public participation. The mission of the Division of Commercial Fisheries is as follows: The mission of the Division of Commercial Fisheries is to manage subsistence, commercial, and personal use fisheries in the interest of the economy and general wellbeing of the citizens of the state, consistent with the sustained yield principle, and subject to allocations through public regulatory processes. Until its absorption into CF in, the Fisheries Rehabilitation, Enhancement and Development (FRED) Division was responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive, long-range plan for salmon fisheries enhancement and rehabilitation efforts. ADF&G website (accessed on June, 0). ADF&G website (accessed on June, 0). P age

12 0 0 0 The mission of the Division of Subsistence is as follows: The mission of the Division of Subsistence is to scientifically gather, quantify, evaluate, and report information about customary and traditional uses of Alaska's fish and wildlife resources (AS.0.0). The Division of Subsistence conducts research and regulatory management support to assist in the implementation of the subsistence priority statute (AS.0.). The Division of Commercial Fisheries manages subsistence fisheries. The statutory definition of subsistence uses means the noncommercial, customary and traditional uses of wild, renewable resources by a resident domiciled in a rural area of the state for direct personal or family consumption as food, shelter, fuel, clothing, tools, or transportation, for the making and selling of handicraft articles out of nonedible by-products of fish and wildlife resources taken for personal or family consumption, and for the customary trade, barter, or sharing for personal or family consumption; in this paragraph, family means persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption, and a person living in the household on a permanent basis (AS.0.0()). The Division of Sport Fisheries developed a 00 0 strategic plan (ADF&G 00) that identifies the vision of SF: Excellence in fisheries management and research for the benefit of recreational anglers, the state s economy, and future generations of Alaskans. The mission of SF is to protect and improve the state's recreational fisheries resources. The core functions of SF include fisheries management, research, enhancement, angler access, and information and educational services with the priority to manage recreational fisheries for sustained yield and recreational angler satisfaction. The Division of Habitat provides permitting and oversight for protection of salmon spawning and rearing areas. The mission of the Habitat Division is to Protect Alaska's valuable fish and wildlife resources and their habitats as Alaska's population and economy continue to expand... Authority for Salmon Planning The commissioner has the duty under AS.0. 0 to designate regions of the state for the purpose of salmon production and have developed, and amend as necessary, a comprehensive salmon production plan for each region. The commissioner also has the authority to establish Regional Planning Teams (RPTs) within each designated region ( AAC ). The primary purpose of the RPT is to develop a comprehensive salmon production plan for the region. Each RPT consists of six members: three ADF&G personnel appointed by the commissioner and three members appointed by the board of directors ADF&G website (accessed on June, 0). ADF&G website (accessed on June, 0). ADF&G website (accessed on June, 0). P age

13 of the recognized Regional Aquaculture Association (RAA) or by an organization recognized by the commissioner as serving the role and function of an RAA... Regional Aquaculture Associations RAAs are formed under the commissioner s authority for the purpose of enhancing salmon production and are developed in accordance with AS.0.0: () comprised of representatives of commercial fishermen in the region; () includes representatives of other user groups interested in fisheries within the region who wish to belong; and () possesses a board of directors that includes, but is not limited to, commercial fishermen, sport fishermen, subsistence fishermen, processors, and representatives of local communities. Appendix provides of table of steps necessary to form an RAA... Regional Planning Teams The commissioner establishes the RPT to consists of six members: three appointed by the commissioner and three appointed by the board of directors of the recognized RAA. Additionally, non-voting ex-officio members may be appointed by the commissioner or by the RPT as deemed necessary. Each RPT elects a chairperson, who may or may not be a member of the RPT, and whose responsibilities are defined in regulation AAC 0.0 Chairman of Regional Planning Team. Alaska Statutes ( ) and regulations ( AAC ) define the duties of the RPT as comprehensive salmon production plan development and amendment; review of hatchery permit applications, permit alteration requests, and recommendations to the commissioner; and review of and comment on proposed hatchery permit suspensions or revocations to the commissioner. The users of the resource within each region determine what fishery enhancement is desirable and ADF&G determines what is appropriate within their mandate to protect natural production. The mechanism for this cooperative effort is the RAA working with ADF&G within the RPT process... Regulatory Background Depressed salmon fisheries in the 0s led to the development of the current state hatchery program, which was predicated on the concept of supplementing fisheries, not replacing wild stocks. The policies and laws implemented in Alaska were carefully considered to meet the state s constitutional mandate for sustained yield of wild salmon stocks. A concerted effort by all parties involved was to collectively support fisheries and minimize negative impacts to wild stocks to the greatest extent possible. In, the Alaska Legislature in AS.0.0 created the FRED Division in ADF&G to oversee and develop salmon fishery enhancement programs. FRED Division had four main responsibilities: () develop and maintain a state plan for long-range fishery rehabilitation; () encourage private investment in the development and use of Alaska s fishery resources; () assure the perpetuation of Alaska s fish resources, and () make an annual report to the legislature. In, Alaskans voted to amend Article, Section of the Alaska Constitution to provide tools for restoring and maintaining Alaska s fishing economy. The amendment provided an exemption to the no exclusive right of fishery clause to enable limited entry to the state s fisheries and allowed broodstock and cost recovery harvest programs for hatcheries to help off-set the costs of fisheries enhancement (Stopha 0:). In, the Alaska Legislature expanded the hatchery program through passage of the Private Non-Profit Hatchery Act (PNP) statutes (AS ), which authorized the issuance of hatchery P age

14 permits to qualified private nonprofit (PNP) corporations to operate salmon hatcheries (Stopha 0:). The legislative intent of this act was to authorize the private ownership of salmon hatcheries by qualified nonprofit corporations for the purpose of contributing, by artificial means, to the rehabilitation of the state s depleted and depressed salmon fishery. The program shall be operated without adversely affecting natural stocks of fish in the state and under a policy of management which allows reasonable segregation of returning hatchery-reared salmon from naturally occurring stocks. The regulatory background provides for checks and balances by giving the commissioner the authority to alter the conditions of a hatchery permit or revoke the permit. The Alaska Board of Fisheries may alter the terms of the hatchery permit relating to the source and number of eggs, the harvest of fish by the hatchery operator, and the location of the special harvest area (SHA). Fish are considered available for common use until they return to the SHA. Some pertinent statutes and regulations affecting enhanced fish are included below:... AS.0.0 Regulations relating to released fish. (a) Fish released into the natural waters of the state by a hatchery operated under AS.0.00 AS.0.0 are available to the people for common use and are subject to regulation under applicable law in the same way as fish occurring in their natural state until they return to the specific location designated by the department for harvest by the hatchery operator. (b) The Board of Fisheries may, after the issuance of a permit by the commissioner, amend by regulation adopted in accordance with AS. (Administrative Procedures Act), the terms of the permit relating to the source and number of salmon eggs, the harvest of fish by hatchery operators, and the specific locations designated by the department for harvest. The Board of Fisheries may not adopt any regulations or take any action regarding the issuance or denial of any permits required in AS AS.0. Egg Sources. (a) The department shall approve the source and number of eggs taken under AS.0.00 AS.0.0. (b) Where feasible, salmon eggs utilized by a hatchery operator shall first be taken from stocks native to the area in which the hatchery is located, and them, upon department approval, from other areas, as necessary.... AS.0.0 Sale of salmon and salmon eggs: use of proceeds; quality and price. (a) Except as otherwise provided in a contract for the operation of a hatchery under AS.0.0, a hatchery operator who sells salmon returning from the natural waters of the state, or sells salmon eggs to another hatchery operating under AS.0.00 AS.0.0, after utilizing the funds for reasonable operating costs, including debt retirement, expanding its facilities, salmon rehabilitation projects, fisheries research, or costs of operating the qualified regional association for the area in which the hatchery is located, shall expend the remaining funds on other fisheries activities of the qualified regional association. Alaska Legislature. An act authorizing the operation of private nonprofit salmon hatcheries. Section Chapter Session Laws of Alaska, in the Temporary and Special Acts. P age

15 (b) Fish returning to hatcheries and sold for human consumption shall be of comparable quality to fish harvested by commercial fisheries in the area and shall be sold at prices commensurate with the current market.... AS.0. Regional Salmon Plans. The commissioner shall designate regions of the state for the purpose of salmon production and have developed and amend, as necessary, a comprehensive salmon plan for each region, including provisions for both public and private nonprofit hatchery systems. Subject to plan approval by the commissioner, comprehensive salmon plans shall be developed by regional planning teams consisting of department personnel and representatives of the appropriate qualified regional associations formed under AS AAC 0.0 Regional Planning Team Review. (a) The appropriate regional planning team, as established under AAC 0.00, shall review each application to determine if the proposed hatchery is compatible with the appropriate regional comprehensive salmon plan. The regional planning team shall use the following application review criteria: () the contribution the proposed hatchery would make to the common property fishery; () the provisions for protection of the naturally occurring stocks from any adverse effects which may originate from the proposed hatchery; () the compatibility of the proposed hatchery with the goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan for the region; and () whether the proposed hatchery would make the best use of the site s potential to benefit the common property fishery. (b) An applicant may review the regional planning team determination and comment on it by letter to the commissioner.... AAC. Policy for the Management of Sustainable Salmon Fisheries. (a) The Board of Fisheries (board) and Department of Fish and Game (department) recognize that () while, in the aggregate, Alaska s salmon fisheries are healthy and sustainable largely because of abundant pristine habitat and the application of sound, precautionary, conservation management practices, there is a need for a comprehensive policy for the regulation and management of sustainable salmon fisheries; () in formulating fishery management plans designed to achieve maximum or optimum salmon production, the board and department must consider factors including environmental change, habitat loss or degradation, data uncertainty, limited funding for research and management programs, existing harvest patterns, and new fisheries or expanding fisheries; () to effectively assure sustained yield and habitat protection for wild salmon stocks, fishery management plans and programs require specific guiding principles and criteria, and the framework for their application contained in this policy. (b) The goal of the policy under this section is to ensure the conservation of salmon and salmon s required marine and aquatic habitats, protection of customary and traditional subsistence uses and other uses, and the sustained economic health of Alaska s fishing communities. P age

16 For the full policy as written see Appendix A. The policy is a good reference for common definitions regarding salmon. For further discussion about additional regulations, policies, and permitting affecting enhancement planning and enhanced stocks see Appendix B.. GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND ASSUMPTIONS The statutory mission of the comprehensive salmon production plan process is to promote, using sound biological practices, activities that increase salmon production in a regional area for maximal social and economic benefits of the users consistent with public interest. The Kuskokwim River Plan, as the Yukon River Plan, differs significantly from most other regional salmon production plans because of the lack of significant commercial salmon fisheries in recent years. The Kuskokwim River RPT recommends restoring and expanding natural production of wild stocks of salmon in order to meet salmon production goals outlined in this plan rather than large-scale hatchery programs, which will be discussed in more detail in Chapter. The guiding principles of the Kuskokwim River Comprehensive Salmon Production Plan include the following, adapted from the Yukon River Plan: () Kuskokwim Area salmon management shall strive to ensure the perpetuation, continual health, and unique characteristics of natural wild stock salmon production in Kuskokwim Bay, Central Bering Sea Coast, and Kuskokwim River salmon spawning tributaries. () Impacts to subsistence salmon fisheries shall be reviewed in planning restoration and enhancement projects. Attempts should be made to consult with local elders and village residents when restoration and/or enhancement projects are being proposed or planned for Kuskokwim Area salmon stocks. () Projects that involve habitat manipulation, such as supplemental production (e.g., adding fertilizer) or other significant impact to salmon productivity shall be carefully planned and proceed in a conservative manner to minimize negative impacts to wild salmon stocks and/or to existing fisheries. () Existing habitat must be maintained to ensure protection and productivity of spawning and rearing areas as well as migration routes of Kuskokwim Area salmon. () Information gaps on salmon stocks must be addressed. More data on total abundance, escapement distribution and quality, habitat capacity, return-per-spawner productivity, egg survival, outmigrant survival, marine survival, and migration timing are needed to provide for sustained yields or optimal yields as established by the Alaska Board of Fisheries. () Large-scale enhancement projects (i.e. hatcheries) designed to create new runs of salmon are opposed. Of many reasons for the RPT s opposition to large-scale hatcheries is the fact that the Kuskokwim Area is dominated by subsistence fisheries and the subsistence priority in state and federal law is limited to wild, renewable salmon stocks (AS.0.0()). () Habitat or wild stock restoration projects shall have priority over enhancement of habitat or enhancement of wild stocks. P age

17 () Fish mortality shall be minimized to the extent practicable while conducting salmon studies. Reasonable attempts should be made to donate fish killed in the line of research to local subsistence users (with elders receiving priority) or to charities. () All fisheries harvest (subsistence, commercial, personal use, sport, incidental, bycatch, etc.) within and outside the Kuskokwim River drainage and Kuskokwim Bay should be monitored for their impacts to Kuskokwim River salmon stocks and populations. (0) The strictest genetics and disease policies recommended by reviewing scientists shall apply to projects in the Kuskokwim Fisheries Management Area. Only eggs, fry, or smolt of Kuskokwim Area-origin salmon may be released within the Kuskokwim Area. Furthermore, the introduction of Kuskokwim Area salmon beyond the Kuskokwim Area is opposed. () The production level goals for restored stocks are to be consistent with natural habitat capacity. () The RPT recognizes that factors such as natural fluctuations in fish populations, the mixed stock nature of Kuskokwim Area fishery, regulatory processes, the changing human population, and market conditions will continue to contribute to the difficulty of providing for subsistence needs and commercial harvest desires on a consistent basis. The intent of this plan is to improve the natural productivity of the Kuskokwim Fisheries Management Area salmon stocks and populations so that each year the following goals are achieved: (a) established escapement goals for all salmon species are met; (b) drainage-wide subsistence needs are met; and (c) commercial fishing opportunities within sustained yield principles are maximized. For the purposes of this plan, the following conditions are assumed to exist. If some of these conditions change or are proved false, then implementation of this plan will encounter additional difficulty: () The RPT will take a conservative approach to a restoration or enhancement project planning process to ensure perpetuation of natural stock production, () It is biologically feasible to bring about a sustained yield increase in the harvest of natural stocks of Kuskokwim Area salmon to those levels identified if appropriate technology and management practices are utilized. () The technology exists or will be developed to meet production objectives. () Benefits to all user groups will be considered and equity within the constraints of Alaska statutes and regulations will be a primary consideration as part of the long-term planning process. () Agencies and individuals will utilize the most current and accurate data available and use the most widely accepted interpretation of those data. Agencies and individuals will strive to address data gaps regarding Kuskokwim Area salmon production. () The flexibility to adapt to changes in the fishery will be incorporated into the updating process of the comprehensive salmon production plan. () Domestic and international market demand will be sufficient to absorb the commercial harvest levels promoted by this plan. () Both freshwater and marine habitats will remain favorable for salmon survival. () Research programs will be implemented to obtain information needed for optimizing salmon production using the strategies of habitat protection, management, and restoration. (0) Sufficient funding will be provided to achieve the goals identified in this plan. () The goals and objectives of this plan will be periodically reviewed and revised as needs, knowledge, and resources change. P age

18 () This plan reflects the goals, objectives, principles, assumptions, and activities consistent with the fisheries of the Kuskokwim Fisheries Management Area at the time of writing PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Alaska s salmon fishery enhancement program is a stakeholder driven process. As presented in this chapter and Appendix B, the Alaska legislature developed a legal framework that guides salmon production planning and public participation and associated regulations. Public participation and input was sought throughout the Kuskokwim Comprehensive Salmon Production Plan (CSP) development process. The Bering Sea Fishermen s Association, Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission, Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group, Central Bering Sea Fish and Game Advisory Committee, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game co-drafted this plan through participation of representatives of these organizations on the Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team (RPT). The RPT held numerous public meetings to solicit input from salmon users during the writing of this plan. Following a formal public comment period, the RPT held a final public meeting to solicit additional input prior to finalizing and submitting this plan to the ADF&G Commissioner for approval. Once the Kuskokwim CSP is approved, if there is a salmon hatchery permit application received for a salmon production mitigation project in the region, it must be reviewed by the RPT at a public meeting, after which the RPT must forward a recommendation to approve or deny the application to the ADF&G Commissioner as part of the hatchery permitting process. The RPT will utilize the CSP and a public process to help determine whether the proposed hatchery project and permit application is appropriate with respect to the desires of salmon stakeholders in the region. If the project is approved, once salmon are produced and returning, they are available for harvest. The Alaska Board of Fisheries sets the regulations that guide the harvest of these salmon. Public participation is a significant part of the regulatory process of the Alaska Board of Fisheries in developing and approving fisheries regulations. Local fish and game advisory committees and members of the public develop regulatory change proposals that are reviewed by the Board of Fisheries. Local fish and game advisory committees and members of the public also participate in the regulatory process through providing testimony to the Alaska Board of Fisheries regarding proposed regulatory changes. Additional information about the Alaska Board of Fisheries regulatory process can be found on the ADF&G website. P age

19 Chapter. KUSKOKWIM AREA COMPREHENSIVE SALMON PRODUCTION PLAN. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF SALMON PRODUCTION PLANNING IN THE KUSKOKWIM REGION In, stakeholders from communities living on the Lower Yukon from Grayling to the mouth and along the Kuskokwim River formed the Lower Yukon/Kuskokwim Aquaculture Association, which received regional aquaculture association status in 0 (Yukon River CSP ). In, the RAA received a grant from ADF&G to develop a regional salmon fishery overview as a first step for the possible preparation of a Lower Yukon/Kuskokwim Comprehensive Regional Salmon Plan. In, the RAA produced a comprehensive bibliography relating to Lower Yukon and Kuskokwim salmon fisheries and a Phase pre-planning document presenting an overview of the Lower Yukon and Kuskokwim regional salmon fisheries (ADF&G and Lower Yukon/Kuskokwim RAA ; Lower Yukon/Kuskokwim RPT ). Although the RAA recommended beginning Phase, including a Comprehensive Regional Salmon Production Plan (CSP), the second phase was never implemented (Yukon River CSP ). The main reason for development of this Kuskokwim River CSP was the fisheries disaster declaration funds made available through the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to the Kuskokwim region for that purpose. Among other organizations, the Bering Sea Fishermen s Association (BSFA), the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP), the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), and the ADF&G all worked together to obtain CSP funding used to develop this salmon production plan. Another significant reason for the development of this CSP is the ongoing conservation concerns associated with Kuskokwim River salmon stocks, particularly Chinook salmon, which has resulted in significant economic hardship in the Kuskokwim River region. The closure of the river to subsistence salmon fishing and commercial and recreational fishing opportunities in recent years in order to protect depressed Chinook salmon returns has resulted from the lowest recorded Chinook salmon returns and the most restricted salmon fishing opportunities on record for the Kuskokwim region. These salmon conservation concerns and the resulting consequences to regional food security and subsistence opportunity have resulted in new organizational developments and a strengthening of existing partnerships in the Kuskokwim Area. In particular, the formation and activities of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission (KRITFC) and the formal cooperative management relationship established between the KRITFC and the USFWS has expanded stakeholder involvement in salmon management planning in the region. This new relationship began with the KRITFC Constitution and By- Laws developed by the KRITFC Steering Committee on April, 0, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding Between United States Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Region and the KRITFC in early 0, formalizing the fishery management partnership between the KRITFC and the US federal government. While there does not exist the same formal management partnership agreement between KRITFC and ADF&G, the KRITFC provides recommendations to the ADF&G, which are considered along with recommendations from the longstanding Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group (KRSMWG) as well as local fish and game advisory committees from the region prior to determining state management actions. The developments described above represent the recent backdrop for developing a comprehensive restoration and enhancement process. The various involved parties were concerned about stock declines and how to rebuild Kuskokwim salmon stocks while allowing continued harvests to ensure ongoing and As of this writing, neither of these documents has been located. 0 P age

20 future food security for Kuskokwim Area residents. Maintaining healthy fisheries while increasing returns to biological maximums was seen as the primary method for meeting the longstanding commercial, recreational, and subsistence needs of all area residents. The parties also wanted to learn more about restoration and enhancement techniques that might be used in salmon stock rebuilding efforts. The parties also wanted documentation that would guide future management efforts with respect to Kuskokwim area salmon fisheries enhancement.. KUSKOKWIM REGIONAL PLANNING TEAM Following a series of consultations between BSFA and ADF&G, Commissioner Sam Cotten designated the region of the Kuskokwim Area inclusive of the Kuskokwim River and its coastal waters as defined in state regulations ( AAC 0.0 and AAC 0.00) for the development of a comprehensive salmon production plan. Due to the lack of an active RAA covering the Kuskokwim region, ADF&G recognized that a Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team will not be able to strictly adhere to the structure of RPTs as described in law and regulation. As a result, on November, 0, Commissioner Cotten established an ad-hoc Kuskokwim RPT consisting of voting members and ex-officio members with the following composition (see Commissioner Cotten s letter in Appendix C): Two representatives from the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission (KRITFC) One representative from the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group (KRSMWG) One representative from the Central Bering Sea Advisory Council, Kuskokwim Bay Area Four representatives from the ADF&G, appointed by the Commissioner One ex-officio representative from the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) One ex-officio representative from the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) One ex-officio representative from the Coastal Villages Regional Fund (CVRF) One ex-officio representative from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Commissioner Cotten encouraged BSFA and especially the ex-officio members to ensure significant regional stakeholder representation and outreach in order for it to satisfy the regional planning requirements for developing guidance for the permitting of salmon fishery enhancement activities while ensuring the continued sustainability of salmon stocks in the region. He also noted, please be aware that because an ad-hoc RPT does not conform to law, its work may be challenged and will be superseded if and when an RAA and formal RPT are established (Appendix C).. MISSION, GOALS, AND STRATEGIES The mission of the Kuskokwim Area Comprehensive Salmon Production Plan (CSP), the goals described in it, and the strategies to achieve the goals have been developed with the input of salmon users of the region and are intended to assist project planners to design projects that will better understand and meet the needs of the affected communities of the Kuskokwim Fisheries Management Area... Mission Statement The mission of the Kuskokwim Area CSP is as follows: To promote, through sound biological practices, activities to increase salmon production in the Kuskokwim Fisheries Management Area for the maximal social and economic benefits of the users consistent with the public interest. P age

21 In accordance with this mission, the RPT will recommend restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement activities in the region that will be consistent with the protection of existing wild salmon stocks and the habitat upon which they depend. Artificial propagation shall not be used as a substitute for effective fishery regulation, stock conservation, and habitat management or protection. The priorities for implementing restoration and enhancement projects shall be in this order: () restoring habitat and wild stocks, () enhancing habitat, () rehabilitating wild stocks, and () creating new common property fisheries through enhancement. Careful planning is necessary before undertaking restoration, rehabilitation, or enhancement projects that might impact wild stocks. Projects shall be evaluated by the RPT in accordance with a regional comprehensive salmon plan. Careful assessment and inventory of wild stocks and their health, habitat, and life history must be an integral part of restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement planning. Alaska fish genetics and fish disease policies will be applied to all salmon restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement activities and will attempt to identify alternative or additional actions, including but not restricted to fishery management actions, to achieve the goals. To the extent practicable, the RPT will endeavor to establish production levels for restored stocks consistent with natural or enhanced habitat capacity... Goals of the Kuskokwim Regional Planning Team Process. Review available information related to historical salmon harvests and production in the Kuskokwim region to inform setting of salmon production goals by species, area, and time. Action: RPT recommends setting specific salmon stock production goals for Kuskokwim region.. Review current status of Kuskokwim area salmon stock production to identify stocks that may benefit from restoration, rehabilitation, or enhancement activities. Action: RPT determines production concern status of Kuskokwim area salmon stocks (e.g., acceptable production or production concern). Natural production of stocks that remain similar to historical production levels or that produce more salmon than is needed for spawning escapement and historical levels of human harvest may be characterized as acceptable production. Those salmon stocks that naturally produce lower numbers of salmon than historical averages may be characterized as production concern.. Review available information related to low or decreased production of identified salmon stocks. Action: RPT determines whether sufficient information exists regarding the cause(s) of salmon stock production concerns to warrant restoration, rehabilitation, or enhancement activities.. Review available strategies to achieve recommended production goals and make recommendations to the ADF&G Commissioner. Action: RPT identifies and proposes appropriate salmon production mitigation projects for identified salmon stocks of production concern... Strategies to achieve production goals This section benefits greatly from the draft Norton Sound-Bering Strait Regional CSP of July 0 and the Kuskokwim RPT would like to acknowledge the fine work by the Norton Sound-Bering Strait RPT. Many techniques or tools can be used to achieve salmon production goals. The choice of which technique is appropriate to use in each case is dependent upon what the goal is, what is limiting the salmon production that needs to be remedied, and the location and the species desired. Restoration entails restoring altered or decimated habitat, or severely depleted or extirpated fish stocks, to a previous level of natural production. Rehabilitation involves rehabilitating altered or impacted habitat, or depressed fish P age

22 stocks, to a previous level of natural production. Enhancement entails creating new or artificially improved habitat, or producing runs of fish where they do not naturally occur or above what could be naturally produced there, in order to create fish that are available specifically for harvest. Fish runs produced by enhancement projects would not exist otherwise and will no longer exist if that project is discontinued, whereas fish runs produced by restoration or rehabilitation projects were previously in existence naturally and will continue as natural production once the project is completed.... Habitat Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Enhancement Salmon habitat improvement is usually specific to a particular life stage and for that reason may benefit a specific salmon species. Chum and pink salmon benefit primarily from spawning habitat improvements and the removal of barriers to migration. Salmon with freshwater juvenile rearing requirements such as Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon also benefit from improved summer and winter rearing habitats and increased feeding opportunities. The following methods were considered for the Kuskokwim region and explained for public education and outreach purposes in the development of this CSP. Stream Clearance and/or Modification of Barriers The clearance of periodic blockages (e.g., debris-choked culverts, instream debris, beaver dams, etc.) of portions of streams can facilitate the passage of salmon into spawning and rearing areas that otherwise would lose production potential for some species of salmon. Many of these blockages occur on an intermittent basis and are of a size such that removal could be accomplished by designated personnel. Authority to remove these stream blockages requires approval by ADF&G Habitat Division, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, or the US Army Corps of Engineers on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, removal of beaver dams using hand-tools can be accomplished without the need for a permit, but each case should be reviewed with the ADF&G Division of Habitat prior to implementation. Rearing Ponds Rearing ponds may benefit salmon with freshwater juvenile rearing requirements, primarily Chinook salmon and coho salmon, by providing new habitat for these species. These types of projects are most commonly associated with road maintenance projects in other regions, in part due to the formation of such ponds by gravel extraction practices. The creation of a pond of sufficient depth to avoid freeze down is the primary size determinant. It is important to have an upwelling area where ground water will provide oxygenated water during the ice-covered portion of the year. This can be arranged by placing the pond below the winter water table within a riparian corridor. Another important character of rearing ponds is to incorporate a source of nutrients in the pond to support macroinvertebrates over the year. This can be accomplished by encouraging beavers to colonize the pond or to mimic that situation by placing organic matter such as tundra sod in the water. The most successful rearing ponds have both a littoral shelf and a deep portion to the pond to help warm the water during the summer and to provide for vegetative growth for cover and water quality. Habitat Rehabilitation (stream channel) These types of project address stream bed conditions that have been impacted by natural factors or human activities. Migration corridors or spawning conditions can often be improved with a one-time project that P age

23 makes these projects attractive when the costs associated with them can be high. The most common of these types of project is spawning channel substrate cleaning. Nutrient Enrichment This strategy is only useful for salmon that are resident in the river/lake system as rearing juveniles such as sockeye salmon. These types of projects involve commercial grade fertilizer being mixed into the lake water to enhance the production of algae, which in turn is consumed by zooplankton, a favorite food of juvenile sockeye salmon. These types of projects require ongoing operation and production monitoring. The fertilization rate is adjusted over time to the specific site and stock. Such adjustments can be made on an annual basis to stabilize production and minimize costs.... Stock Restoration and Rehabilitation Salmon stock restoration and/or rehabilitation generally involves strategies designed to restore depleted or depressed salmon populations to prior levels of production. Various fish culture (growing) methods can be employed to achieve restoration and rehabilitation goals. Fish culture methods range from artificial manipulation of salmon egg fertilization and incubation to rearing of juvenile salmon from emergence through various juvenile life stages. Two examples of these types of method are briefly reviewed below: eyed-egg planting and instream or streamside incubation boxes. Eyed-Egg Planting This is one of the methods used to stock river systems with juvenile salmon. Salmon eggs are collected, fertilized, and incubated to a point of development approaching egg hatching. These eggs are then planted into suitable substrate for rearing following hatch as alevins. Advantages to this method, versus planting as fry, are reduced financial and water needs. In both cases, the fry can be marked prior to hatch for evaluation. Disadvantages include low survival to adult salmon return, limited planting sites, and the logistics of planting eggs during the coldest part of the year. Instream or Streamside Incubation Boxes This method of stocking streams with juvenile salmon was used with mixed success during the 0s in Norton Sound, but is described here for educational and outreach purposes. The method involves providing artificial environments for incubating salmon eggs and juveniles alongside natural waterways and subsequent release. The method has the disadvantage of very limited methods for marking the fish produced in order to allow for subsequent evaluation of the effort. The ability to mark fish production to evaluate the efficacy and effects of the project and justify costs is important. In northern climates, periodic site checks are needed to ensure continued operation of the incubator boxes in cold temperatures. Freezing at the incubator outlet was a common problem in Norton Sound efforts, which created a cascade of system failures if left uncorrected.... Fishery Enhancement Salmon fishery enhancement generally involves strategies designed to increase salmon production beyond natural levels for the specific purpose of harvest. P age

24 0 0 Central Incubation Facility A central incubation facility is a hatchery type that is most often constructed where there is available water and infrastructure, but fish are not necessarily released or returning there. Multiple stocks of salmon from a variety of locations can be incubated in a central incubation facility. Stocks in a central incubation facility are kept discreet and remain separated from natural stocks out of concern for potential genetic and pathogenic effects on stocks where they are to be released. Measures to disinfect both the facility water discharge as well as the source water are often required. Generally, the complexity of these facilities requires a fully developed hatchery program with remote stocking, egg takes, and water treatment. Central incubation facilities are not necessarily production facilities, although they can support production programs, smaller restoration programs, and/or small-scale programs producing fish for public use. Production Hatchery Production hatcheries are intended to produce salmon returns on a large enough scale to support directed fisheries. Typically, these hatcheries produce one or two stocks of salmon to be released in a location that has no natural runs of salmon. A cost-recovery fishery is often associated with the hatchery release site if an area has been designated as a special harvest area (SHA). Broodstock for future production and a costrecovery harvest for supporting the facility through sales of fish are allowed at these locations. In some instances, other release sites designated as terminal harvest areas (THA), are allowed where the entire return to that location is managed as a common property fishery. The genetic makeup of these types of production hatchery releases are not necessarily restricted to one specific genetic line. Sometimes the initial broodstock may be derived from multiple natural runs of the same species in the general vicinity of the release site. The fact that the entire run is harvested in these situations creates less concern for affecting the natural-run genetic composition of natural salmon stocks. P age

25 Chapter. REGIONAL PROFILE OF THE FISHERIES, STOCK STATUS, AND HABITAT STATUS. OVERVIEW OF THE KUSKOKWIM FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AREA... Prehistory and History Archaeological evidence, in addition to ethnographic research and oral histories spanning many generations, confirm that salmon have been a dietary and cultural staple in the Kuskokwim region since time immemorial (Nelson, Oswalt and, Charnley, Rearden 0). The combined data show that although the relative use of salmon and the various strategies of harvest and preparation techniques have varied somewhat throughout the region and through time, the overall importance of salmon to the people of the region has remained constant. Archaeological evidence of prehistoric (pre-contact) and historic use of salmon can be found along the entirety of the Kuskokwim River and within the Kuskokwim Bay area. Recent excavations at sites, located in the upper river community of McGrath, located near the middle river community of Crooked Creek, and located near the Kuskokwim Bay community of Quinhagak, have been particularly informative. Isotopic dietary data recovered from pre-contact individuals at the McGrath site revealed a strong reliance on anadromous salmon. The site has a radiocarbon date of c cal BP. Salmon bones were among the faunal remains collected from the Angyacuaq site located miles south of Crooked Creek. Carbon dating from this site indicates that it was in use at least 000 years ago (Arcadis 0). Ongoing excavations at Nunalleq (lit., Old Village ), a 00-year-old Yupik winter village located miles south of Quinhagak at the mouth of the Arolik River, continue to provide data on the use and importance of salmon during multiple time periods in the past. Isotope analysis of non-mortuary human hair from the site indicates that past occupants ate salmon year-round (Britton et al. 0). This is consistent with the discovery of salmon bones (i.e., fin rays, ribs, and large vertebral centra) with grass placed above and below the bones recovered from the site in 0, and ethnographic interviews that indicate that whole fish were stored in this manner in the past (Nunalleq 0). Early ethnographic information on salmon use for the region is sparse. Lieutenant Zagoskin during his exploration of the Kuskokwim River (-) noted that he traded small coins and trinkets for whitefish and salmon with the local inhabitants. He also described a type of dip net used in the central Kuskokwim for taking king salmon in deep water during their first run upriver (Michael ). Nelson () described various salmon and nonsalmon fishing methods and fishing implements used from the mouth of the Kuskokwim to Kotzebue Sound c.. For harvesting salmon in particular, he noted that gill nets were used along the coast, and additionally, wicker fish traps were used on the lower Kuskokwim River. He also described salmon and whitefish spears that were used from the lower Kuskokwim River to Kotzebue Sound. Later ethnographies, in particular Oswalt (0), describe a major development in salmon fishing technology in the central Kuskokwim around 00. The introduction of the fish wheel by gold miners and fur traders who came into the region at the turn of the 0th Century dramatically increased the volume of salmon that was harvested. This technology provided the vast quantities of fish that were needed as food for sled dogs, the major form of transportation for the miners and traders. After the introduction of snow machines for travel in the mid-0th Century, dog teams were no longer considered essential in most cases. With the decrease in number of dogs to feed, it was no longer necessary to produce such large amounts of fish, and consequently the use of fish wheels declined. P age

26 0.. Geography, Culture and Human Population The Kuskokwim River, Alaska s second longest, drains,000 square miles of the northwest Alaska Range and the southern portion of the Kuskokwim Mountains (Fig..). From its headwaters in the mountains, it flows miles through a diverse landscape of rolling hills and wetlands of the subarctic boreal forest, and through the treeless tundra of western Alaska. It empties into the Bering Sea in the southern portion of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (YKD). Charnley () divides the Kuskokwim River into distinct geographic and cultural regions: the Upper Kuskokwim (Athabascan peoples); the Central Kuskokwim (Central Yupik and Athabascan peoples); and Lower Kuskokwim (Central Yupik peoples ). All regions have minority populations of non-alaska Natives including Euro-Americans, Russians, Asians, and Europeans. Communities located around the mouth of the Kuskokwim River and along the central Bering Sea coast on the southern Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta are primarily Central Yup ik or Chup ik speaking communities with minority populations of non-alaska Natives similar to that of the Kuskokwim River. These communities experience a marine climate and ocean tides. Figure.. Communities and newly adopted Kuskokwim river section designations used to help conserve Chinook salmon. There is much cultural diversity throughout the Central Yup ik language area, including significant dialectical diversity throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Data source: P age

27 The Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission (KRITFC) designated the Kuskokwim Fisheries Management Area into distinct geographic units to ensure broad geographic representation throughout the region. This plan summarizes subsistence salmon harvest data by these geographic units to better characterize the diversity in subsistence fishing patterns throughout the watershed. Moving from the Kuskokwim River headwaters down the drainage to the Bering Sea coast, they are: Unit Nikolai, Telida, McGrath, Takotna Unit Stony River, Lime Village, Sleetmute, Red Devil, Georgetown Crooked Creek Unit Napaimute, Chuathbaluk, Aniak, Upper Kalskag, Lower Kalskag Unit Tuluksak, Akiak, Kwethluk, Akiachak Unit Bethel Unit Oscarville, Napaskiak, Napakiak, Atmautluak, Kasigluk, Nunapitchuk Unit Tuntutuliak, Eek, Kongiganak, Kwigillingok, Chefornak, Kipnuk, Quinhagak. Not all Kuskokwim region communities are specifically listed within the units established by the KRITFC, especially in the Unit, along the Bering Sea coast and Kuskokwim Bay. The discussion of Kuskokwim area salmon harvests and human population below includes all available information for the region summarized by each unit to better represent the distinct areas of the region. A number of factors have influenced human population changes in the Kuskokwim area over time. According to Shaw (), development of efficient fishing nets for harvesting salmon around,00-,00 years ago likely accounted for a marked increase in the human population of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region around that time. This new fishing technology, and population increase, most likely led to inland settlement on the Lower Kuskokwim River by coastal groups (Vanstone :0). And, around 0, Kusququqvagamiut people moved upriver from coastal regions into the Central Kuskokwim area (Hosley ; Oswalt ). In the late 00s, Euromerican and European missionaries, prospectors, fur traders and others inundated the region, increasing the population and encouraging settlement in communities. In the wake of contact with previously unknown diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis, and measles brought by these settlers, the population experienced a drastic and quick decline at the turn of the 0th Century. For example, the Great Sickness in 00 took the lives of more than one-half of Alaska Native adults and most all babies in the region, thus causing major population shifts up and down the Kuskokwim River as old villages were abandoned, and new ones were established (Oswalt ). Subsistence hunting and fishing were minimal at this time as there were few able-bodied people left to carry out these essential activities. A fluctuating but steady overall increase in population in the early to late-00s took place with occasional decreases in the 0s and 0s as some residents moved out of the region to larger cities such as Anchorage and Fairbanks. The population of the Kuskokwim area, with few exceptions, has slowly but steadily increased over the years 0 to 0. However, brief periods of overall population decrease occurred between the years , and again between the years The lowest population during these years was recorded as,0 in 0. The highest was recorded as, in 0. Bethel (Unit ) has consistently been the most populous community in the region. The Central Bering Coast and the Lower Kuskokwim area (primarily Units -) are more densely populated relative to the Central Kuskokwim River (Units -) and the Upper Kuskokwim River (Unit ). As of 0 the approximate population by KRITFC unit was: Unit with 0 residents (no data for Telida), Unit with residents (no data for Georgetown), Unit with, residents (no data for P age

28 Figure.. The Kuskokwim watershed and major tributaries. 0 0 Napaimute), Unit with, residents, Bethel (Unit ) numbering, residents, Unit with, residents, and Unit with,0 residents. The total approximate population for the Kuskokwim area in 0 was approximately,, representing a decrease of 0 people from 0. The Kuskokwim region is characterized by a mixed economy. A mixed economy combines a subsistencebased economy with commercial sectors (i.e. cash). These components are highly interrelated. A lack of jobs, and cash in general, negatively impacts all families in the region that engage in and rely upon subsistence activities. It takes cash to harvest wild resources. Without cash, residents can t purchase the necessary equipment such as boats and motors, nets, guns and ammunition, or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmachines that are needed for fishing, hunting, trapping, and gathering. According to Wolfe and Walker (), The combination of subsistence and commercial-wage activities provides the economic basis for the way of life so highly valued in rural communities. Research conducted by ADF&G Division of Subsistence since the 0s demonstrates that households in rural communities with the highest cash incomes often produce more wild foods than households with lower incomes. In fact, on average 0% of a community s households harvests 0% of the wild foods utilized by that community in a typical Alaska Native community in rural Alaska (e.g., Fall 0). The additional subsistence foods harvested by these high-producing households are often shared with the 0 Data source: P age