Southeast Sustainable Salmon Fund Project Statement of Work I. Project Title: Gastineau Channel/Sheep Creek Net Pen Complex II. Project Manager/Principal Investigator: Eric Prestegard Director of Operations 2697 Channel Dr. Juneau, Alaska 99801 907-463-1628 eric_prestegard@dipac.net III. Project Description Introduction Enhanced chum salmon released from the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery operated by Douglas Island Pink & Chum, Inc. (DIPAC) on Gastineau Channel in Juneau, Alaska contribute approximately 150,000 fish annually to the Taku Inlet/Stephens Passage (District 111) drift gillnet fishery. Returns from the Gastineau Channel releases are critical to the success of the program since these fish provide the broodstock for the entire chum program, including releases at Limestone Inlet, Amalga Harbor and Boat Harbor, as well as Gastineau Channel. Extensive data on returns from releases in Gastineau Channel and Amalga Harbor indicate a two-fold differential in marine survival; the survival rate of fish released in Gastineau Channel is half of that experienced at Amalga Harbor. The data also indicate there is a 1-in-4 chance of not reaching the hatchery escapement goal at current production levels. DIPAC is investigating ways to increase survival and improve returns of chum salmon from Gastineau Channel releases within current permitted levels. DIPAC s current net pen site at Macaulay Salmon Hatchery is over crowded, which jeopardizes the success of the rearing program. The facility was originally designed to accommodate six net pens for fry rearing but presently utilizes ten pens at current production levels. Also, final rearing densities have increased in recent years due to improvements in salmon diets and physical limitations of the net pen site. The result has been better growth rates and larger fish at release, but at the risk of increased densities above acceptable levels. Unacceptable rearing densities have the potential of increasing stress and reducing fitness and marine survival of enhanced salmon fry. The use of the Macaulay net pen site is over-extended, necessitating remedial action to alleviate the over-crowded situation and provide the best possible rearing environment for the fish. In 2001 the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) approved a permit alteration request (PAR) that combined the permitted levels of chum salmon production at Sheep Creek and Macaulay hatcheries into one consolidated permit for 121 million chum eggs at the Macaulay facility. This allowed DIPAC to increase chum production at the Macaulay facility by 10 million eggs, and to release the resultant fry in Gastineau Channel to help ensure adequate broodstock returns. Four additional net pens will be 1
required to rear the additional fry. A temporary facility at DIPAC s former net pen site in lower Gastineau Channel north of the Sheep Creek delta was mobilized this spring to rear the additional fry. However, the net pens and work float that were used at the site are old and in a serious state of disrepair. Re-development of the Sheep Creek site will provide the rearing space needed to alleviate the over-crowded conditions at the Macaulay site, rear the additional 10 million fry approved for release in Gastineau Channel, and achieve acceptable rearing densities, thereby reducing stress and improving fry survival. Proposal Summary Returns of chum salmon produced by DIPAC indicate the marine survival rate for fry released in Gastineau Channel is low relative to other release sites. Over-crowded conditions at the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery net pen site may contribute to the low return rate. In 2001 ADF&G consolidated DIPAC s chum permits, which allowed an increase production at the Macaulay facility by 10 million eggs in order to insure return of adequate broodstock. Due to over-crowding at the Macaulay site at current production levels, development of another net pen site in Gastineau Channel is critical in order to insure the long-term success of the program. IV. Objectives Project Objective The objective of this project is to develop a new net pen rearing facility in Gastineau Channel near the Sheep Creek delta. Justification The problem being addressed in this project is the need for additional net pen space in Gastineau Channel for Macaulay Salmon Hatchery chum releases. Over-crowding at the Macaulay net pen site and the production of 10 million additional chum fry necessitates the development of additional rearing facilities. The number of net pens currently being utilized at the Macaulay saltwater site exceeds the original design criteria and more fry are being reared there than initially planned. Physical limitations prevent any further expansion. There is a significant need to reduce the number of net pens in use at the Macaulay site in order to reduce densities and improve the general rearing environment. The Sheep Creek site is exposed and offers no protection from severe weather. This requires the dock and net pen structures to be sturdy enough to withstand spring storms. The old structures that will be used at the site this spring are in poor shape and inadequate for long-term operation. New structures are needed at this site to ensure the long-term success the Gastineau Channel chum program. Project Impacts and Evaluation of Project Objectives The potential benefits of this project are increased harvest of enhanced summer chum in the District 111 gillnet fishery, stability of broodstock for the DIPAC chum program, and improved rearing conditions for hatchery chum fry. Enhanced chum salmon production has been a significant component of the Taku Inlet/Stephens Passage gillnet fishery for 2
over a decade. In recent years it has become an increasingly important program, not only for local gillnetters, but also for fishermen from other Southeast communities who spend part of their season in the area, thus helping to reduce overcrowding in other areas that have experienced declines in salmon abundance. DIPAC conducts a comprehensive marking program on 100%of its chum salmon, including application, recovery and processing. Each release site is represented by a unique otolith thermal mark (OTM), which allows full evaluation of distribution, contribution and ocean survival. Analysis of otoliths recovered from fish collected in various studies conducted by DIPAC will allow positive identification of enhanced chum from any of the four release sites. DIPAC chum salmon collected in other research projects will also be readily identified by these marks. Methodology The proposed net pen complex will consist of a concrete work float with a small building to house equipment, work space and crew quarters; two 4-pen arrays consisting of eight 40 x 40 net pens suspended within floating collars; and an anchoring system for moorage. V. Results/Deliverable Products This is a capital improvement project, the purpose of which is to improve the rearing facilities for an existing chum enhancement program in Gastineau Channel. The final product will be a complete net pen rearing complex, as described above, in place and fully operational by early spring 2003. VI. Benefits This project has the potential to provide direct benefits to fishermen and fishing communities by increasing total returns and fishery contributions through improved rearing conditions and increased survival rates. Also, increased returns will help ensure adequate broodstock returns to Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, thereby enhancing the stability of the entire DIPAC summer chum program. Contribution of DIPAC chum to commercial gillnetters from Gastineau Channel releases has exceeded 140,000 fish annually for the past 10 years. Increasing the returns would increase the average contribution to the District 111 fishery proportionally, resulting in a potentially substantial increase in the commercial summer chum harvest. The economic impact would primarily benefit the communities of Juneau and Haines, but would also affect other southeast Alaska communities such as Ketchikan, Petersburg and Wrangell, whose residents participate in the District 111 gillnet fishery. VII. Milestones/Timelines Project Duration: 7/1/02 3/31/03 Below is a general timetable of major project tasks. 3
FY DATE TASK 03 July Order work float & net pen arrays September - November Receive & assemble net pen arrays December-February Install anchors, work float & net pens VIII. Stakeholder Support This project has the support of the gillnet fleet and the Southeast salmon industry in general. The DIPAC chum salmon program plays a significant role in the industry in Northern Southeast Alaska. Any improvement in survival will directly translate into increased production within current permitted levels, increased contribution to the fishery, and improved reliability of the broodstock. IX. Partners This is strictly a capital improvement proposal. There are no other agencies, contracts or assistance involved with this project. 4
X. Budget Project Total: $272,000 Category FY03 Amount Salaries/Benefits 0 Consulting 0 Equipment 272,000 Supplies/Materials 0 Travel 0 Other 0 Admin/Indirect 0 TOTAL $272,000 XI. Project Number: 45321; PCSRF Objective: RM&E 5