Sometimes known as Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Chum, Pink, King, Silver, Red, Dog, Humpback, Sake, Ikura

SALMON ALASKA Oncorhynchus spp. Sometimes known as Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Chum, Pink, King, Silver, Red, Dog, Humpback, Sake, Ikura SUMMARY Salmon caught from Alaska will be one of five species: Pink, Sockeye, Chum, Coho and Chinook (King) Salmon. Abundance of salmon, particularly Pink and Sockeye, is high in Alaska due to good management and healthy habitat. The majority of salmon is caught with purse seines, followed by gillnets and troll gear. These fishing methods cause little habitat damage and result in moderate levels of bycatch, typically other fish. Chef Barton Seaver describes the flavors of the various types of Alaskan salmon this way: King Salmon is the fattiest and richest of all the wild salmon types. Its dark orange flesh has a rich and balanced flavor with a small flake. It s best done medium well. Coho Salmon is a medium fatty salmon that has reddishorange flesh and a well balanced but delicate flavor. Great for smoking and best done medium well. Pink Salmon is the lightest and mildest of the salmon species. This small-flaked seafood is perfect for baking or poaching. Best cooked well done. Sockeye is the most full flavored of the salmon varieties. It has a reddish flesh and a lean gamey flavor. It s great for smoking and grilling. Best cooked well done. Chum Salmon, with its orange-pinkish flesh and light mild flavor, is lean and perfect for baking or poaching. It s also great for smoked preparations and is best cooked well done. Criterion Points Final Score Color Life History 3.00 2.40-4.00 Abundance 3.75 1.60-2.39 Habitat Quality and Fishing Gear Impacts 4.00 0.00-1.59 Management 4.00 Bycatch 2.50 Final Score 3.45 Color

LIFE HISTORY Core Points (only one selection allowed) If a value for intrinsic rate of increase ( r ) is known, assign the score below based on this value. If no r-value is available, assign the score below for the correct age at 50% maturity for females if specified, or for the correct value of growth rate ('k'). If no estimates of r, age at 50% maturity, or k are available, assign the score below based on maximum age. 1.00 Intrinsic rate of increase <0.05; OR age at 50% maturity >10 years; OR growth rate <0.15; OR maximum age >30 years. 2.00 Intrinsic rate of increase = 0.05-0.15; OR age at 50% maturity = 5-10 years; OR a growth rate = 0.16 0.30; OR maximum age = 11-30 years. 3.00 Intrinsic rate of increase >0.16; OR age at 50% maturity = 1-5 years; OR growth rate >0.30; OR maximum age <11 years. The mean intrinsic rate of increase (r) is high for all 5 salmon species, ranging from r=0.54 per year for Chinook to r=1.84 for Sockeye Salmon (FishBase 2009a,b). Growth rates range from k=0.15 for Chinook to k= 0.58 for Sockeye Salmon (FishBase 2009a, c) and likely vary among populations for each species. There is also variation in age at maturity between discrete salmon spawning populations, but in general, salmon are generally short-lived fish, with maximum ages ranging from 3 to 9 years (FishBase 2009b, a). Chinook Salmon are the largest of Alaskan salmon commonly exceeding 30 lbs and reaching weights of 100 lbs. (Quinn 2005; NPFMC 2008). Chinook Salmon reach sexual maturity from 2 to 7 years of age, with females tending to be older at sexual maturity (Healey 1991). Chum Salmon in southeastern Alaska reach maturity around 4 years of age and typically 7-18 lbs in size but can reach 30 lbs (Salo 1991). Coho Salmon reach sexual maturity between 2 to 6 years of age with most returning to spawn between 3 to 4 years of age (ADFG 1985 and Sandercock 1991). Pink Salmon, on average, grow to about 4 lbs and reach sexual maturity by age 2, and are considered the smallest of the Alaskan Salmon (Morrow 1980; ADFG 1985b; Heard 1991). Sockeye Salmon reach sexual maturity from 4 to 6 years of age and weights of 4 to 8 lbs (Morrow 1980; Burgner 1991; CFMDS 1994).

Points of Adjustment (multiple selections allowed) -0.25 Species has special behaviors that make it especially vulnerable to fishing pressure (e.g., spawning aggregations; site fidelity; segregation by sex; migratory bottlenecks; unusual attraction to gear; etc.). All species of salmon from the Pacific Ocean including the five species in Alaska are anadromous, meaning they hatch in fresh water, spend part of their life in the ocean, return to fresh water to spawn and then die (Delaney 1994; Kingsbury 1994). This behavior makes salmon populations vulnerable when nets are placed across streams because their routes to spawning grounds are obstructed. Also, because each discrete salmon spawning group has site fidelity to spawn in a single stream (i.e. returning to the stream that they were born in), there is a risk of eliminating entire spawning groups. However, the State of Alaska has meet these concerns by introducing management measures that do not allow harvests unless spawning escapement goals are meet (Clark et al. 2006), thus no points were subtracted. -0.25 Species has a strategy for sexual development that makes it especially vulnerable to fishing pressure (e.g., age at 50% maturity >20 years; sequential hermaphrodites; extremely low fecundity). Chinook Salmon reach sexual maturity from 2 to 7 years of age and produce from 4,242 to 17,255 eggs per female (ADFG 1985c; Healey 1991; NPFMC 2008). Spawning occurs from May through July and there is typically only one run of Chinook Salmon per stream (Healy 1991; NPFMC 2008). Chinook Salmon spawn from southern California to northern Alaska, usually in channels and tributaries of large rivers (ADFG 1985c; Healy 1991). Chum Salmon produce from 1,000 to 8,000 eggs per female, averaging 2,000-3,000 eggs, and maturity is reached around 4 years of age (ADFG 1985d; Salo 1991; NPFMC 2008). Chum Salmon spawn in areas of channels and rivers where upwelling springs aid in the survival of eggs (Salo 1991; NPFMC 2008). This typically occurs within 200 km of the coast, although Yukon River Chum Salmon can migrate over 1,000 km (ADFG 1985d; Salo 1991). Spawning occurs in the fall, with peaks in the north occurring from July to early September and in the south in October and November (ADFG 1985d; Salo 1991). Coho Salmon reach sexual maturity between 2 to 6 years of age and produce on average 2,500 to 3,000 eggs per female, although they can produce as few as 1,440 and as many as 4,883 eggs (Godfrey 1965; Morrow 1980; Sandercock 1991; NPFMC 2008). Coho Salmon spawn from September through January (ADFG 1985; Sandercock 1991). Pink Salmon produce 1,500 to 2,000 eggs per female and maturity is reached by 2 years of age (Morrow 1980; Heard 1991). Pink Salmon return to spawn from June to mid- October (Morrow 1980; Heard 1991). The majority of Pink Salmon spawn within a few miles of the coast and in the intertidal zones and mouths of streams (ADFG 1985b; Heard

1991). Juvenile Pink Salmon form large schools along the coastline near the surface (ADFG 1985b; Heard 1991). Sockeye Salmon produce between 2,500 to 4,300 eggs per female and reach sexual maturity from 4 to 6 years of age (Morrow 1980; Burgner 1991) and return to spawn from May to October (Morrow 1980 and Burgner 1991). All 5 salmon species in Alaska therefore have low fecundity, but they compensate by producing very large eggs that they bury. This strategy makes salmon populations resilient to both natural and fishing mortality, thus points were not subtracted. -0.25 Species has a small or restricted range (e.g., endemism; numerous evolutionarily significant units; restricted to one coastline; e.g., American lobster; striped bass; endemic reef fishes). -0.25 Species exhibits high natural population variability driven by broad-scale environmental change (e.g. El Nino; decadal oscillations). Salmon exhibit population variability in response to environmental changes (Beamish and Bouillon 1993; Chittenden et al. 2009). Scientists hypothesize that since 1975, a long-term improvement in the biological productivity in the Gulf of Alaska has supported an increase in the population and catch of salmon in Alaska fisheries (Chaffee 2000). Studies from the Bering-Aleutian salmon International Survey (BASIS) indicate that cold sea surface temperatures in the spring cause lower growth and survival rates for juvenile salmon and warm waters cause increased growth and survival rates (NPAFC 2001). Hare (1996) reported that the stock recruitment relationship of Sockeye Salmon in Bristol Bay changed after a climate regime shift in the late 1970 s and water temperature is thought to have a large influence on the number of young salmon (Scott and Crossman 1973; Mueter et al. 2005). Due to the conflicting results of these studies, gaps in the overall understanding of climate changes effects on behavior and survival of salmon (Chittenden et al. 2009), and the ability of management to adjust to these changes (Anonymous 2010; Clark et al. 2006) we have not subtracted any points. +0.25 Species does not have special behaviors that increase ease or population consequences of capture OR has special behaviors that make it less vulnerable to fishing pressure (e.g., species is widely dispersed during spawning). +0.25 Species has a strategy for sexual development that makes it especially resilient to fishing pressure (e.g., age at 50% maturity <1 year; extremely high fecundity).

+0.25 Species is distributed over a very wide range (e.g., throughout an entire hemisphere or ocean basin; e.g., swordfish; tuna; Patagonian toothfish). In North America, Chinook Salmon range from Monterey Bay, California, to the Chukchi Sea, Alaska. On the Asian coast, Chinook salmon occur from the Anadyr River of Siberia southward to Hokkaido, Japan. In Alaska, Chinook salmon are abundant in river drainages from the southeastern panhandle to the Wulik River in the far north (ADFG 1985). Chinook Salmon are migratory and immature animals are found inshore and offshore throughout the North Pacific and Bering Sea, and are commonly found around the Aleutian Islands and Western Gulf of Alaska (Eggers 2004). Some Chinook Salmon swim 2,000 miles up the Yukon River to spawn in the extreme headwaters in Yukon Territory, Canada (ADFG 1985c). Juvenile Chinook Salmon swim downstream during the fall into stream areas that have larger substrate and will overwinter in these areas (ADFG 1985c). Chinook smolts head to salt water during the spring months and adults return to fresh water from May through July (ADFG 1985c). In North America, Chum Salmon range from the Sacramento River in California to the Arctic and east to the Mackenzie and Anderson Rivers in Canada (ADFG 1985d). In Asia, they range from the Lena River of Siberia south to Pusan, Korea and Honshu Island, Japan (ADFG 1985b). This is the largest range of all Alaskan Salmon (NPFMC 2008). Juvenile Chum Salmon begin migrations to the Ocean after hatching and spend their first year in offshore waters of the North Pacific and Bering Sea (ADFG 1985d). Adults return to fresh water from June through September (ADFG 1985d). Coho Salmon are found in coastal waters of Alaska from Southeast to Point Hope in the Chukchi Sea and in the Yukon River to the Alaska-Yukon border. Coho Salmon are found from the Anadyr River in Siberia to Hokkaido, Japan in Asia (Scott and Crossman 1973). Coho Salmon are extremely adaptable and occur in nearly all accessible bodies of fresh water-from large transboundary watersheds to small tributaries (Elliott, 1994). Coho Salmon are commonly found from the Dixon Entrance to the Yukon River in Alaska (ADFG 1985). Adults return to freshwater from July through November (ADFG 1985). Juvenile Coho Salmon remain in freshwater for up to four years before migrating to the ocean where they spend another two or three years before returning to spawn (Morrow 1980 and ADFG 1985). Pink Salmon are found from the Russian River in northern California to the Mackenzie River, in Canada and from the Lena River in Siberia to Korea and the island of Hokkaido, Japan (ADFG 1985b). Juvenile Pink Salmon form large schools near the surface along the coastline (ADFG 1985b). Adults reside in the Gulf of Alaska and near the Aleutian Islands and juveniles migrate towards the ocean after birth (Scott and Crossman 1973 and ADFG 1985b). Sockeye Salmon occur in the North Pacific and Arctic oceans and associated freshwater systems. This species ranges as far north as Bathurst Inlet in the Canadian Arctic and the Anadyr River in Siberia (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1994). The majority of Sockeye Salmon spend one to two years in freshwater before migrating to the Ocean

(ADFG 1985e). Juveniles stay within 50 km of the shore once they reach the ocean but tend to migrate hundreds of kilometers throughout this area (ADFG 1985e). We consider the five salmon species to have medium-sized ranges, and therefore no points were added. +0.25 Species does not exhibit high natural population variability driven by broad-scale environmental change (e.g., El Nino; decadal oscillations). 3.00 Points for Life History ABUNDANCE Core Points (only one selection allowed) Compared to natural or un-fished level, the species population is: 1.00 Low: Abundance or biomass is <75% of BMSY or similar proxy (e.g., spawning potential ratio). 2.00 Medium: Abundance or biomass is 75-125% of BMSY or similar proxy; OR population is approaching or recovering from an overfished condition; OR adequate information on abundance or biomass is not available. 3.00 High: Abundance or biomass is >125% of BMSY or similar proxy. In 2008, 146 million salmon of all species were caught from Alaskan waters, which was 13 million more salmon than forecasted (Volk et al. 2009). The 2008 catch represents the 16th largest catch since 1960 (Volk et al. 2009). The number of fish per salmon species was 84 million Pink Salmon, 39 million Sockeye Salmon, 18 million Chum Salmon, 4½ million Coho Salmon and about ½ million Chinook Salmon (Volk et al. 2009). The preliminary catch for 2009 is 156½ million salmon, with 60% being Pink Salmon (Alaska Department of Fish and Game 2009). The large salmon catches in 2008 and 2009 indicate that the majority of Alaska salmon populations are healthy and large in size. While managers do not monitor every discrete spawning group from each individual stream, but instead typically monitor aggregations of populations, the high catches suggest a low risk of overfishing a single genetic unit. Alaskan Salmon are regulated every generation to maximize landings (Clark et al. 2006) and yearly changes in catch are to be expected due to changes in productivity and climate

(Anonymous 2010). The majority of Alaskan Salmon populations are considered to be of high abundance, so we have awarded a core point of 3. Points of Adjustment (multiple selections allowed) -0.25 The population is declining over a generational time scale (as indicated by biomass estimates or standardized CPUE). -0.25 Age, size or sex distribution is skewed relative to the natural condition (e.g., truncated size/age structure or anomalous sex distribution). -0.25 Species is listed as "overfished" OR species is listed as "depleted", "endangered", or "threatened" by recognized national or international bodies. There are 'Evolutionarily Significant Units' (ESU), distinctive groups of Pacific salmon, listed as endangered and threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, however none of the salmon ESUs listed under this Act or listed as candidates for listing are from Alaska populations, but are all located in California, Oregon, and Washington (U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, 2003). Listed salmon stocks from the southern US stocks represent a very small percentage of the Alaska salmon catch (U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, 2003). The IUCN Red List considers Sockeye Salmon (global population) to be a species of Least Concern, meaning they have a low risk of extinction (Rand 2008). The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) suggested in 2009 that the Kvichak River Sockeye Salmon Population be reclassified from stock of management concern to stock of yield concern (Morstad and Baker 2009). The ADF&G has considered and rejected adding Kodiak Chum Salmon in the Northwest District as a stock of concern, but will review this decision in 2011 (Knapman et al. 2009). The Yenta River Sockeye Salmon population was classified as a stock of concern during 2007/2008 and Yukon River Chinook Salmon have been delisted from a stock of concern to a yield concern (Knapman et al. 2009). The Norton Sound Golovin and Moses Point Subdistricts Chum Salmon, Norton Sound Nome Subdistrict Chum Salmon and Norton Sound Shaktoolik and Unalakleet Subdistricts Chinook Salmon are considered stocks of concern (Knapman et al. 2009). Once a population is listed as a Stock of Concern the ADF&G develops an Action Plan, which can include collection of more accurate escapement/harvest data, re-analyses of escapement goals and time/area closures (Knapman et al. 2009). The majority of salmon populations in Alaska have high abundance, and thus are not overfished, so no points were subtracted. -0.25 Current levels of abundance are likely to jeopardize the availability of food for other species or cause substantial change in the structure of the associated food web.

+0.25 The population is increasing over a generational time scale (as indicated by biomass estimates or standardized CPUE). Alaskan Salmon populations have increased 5 to 10 fold over the past 50 years, thus increasing over generational time. +0.25 Age, size or sex distribution is functionally normal. There is no evidence for fishery effects on the demography of Alaskan Salmon, except for Chinook Salmon which represent a small component of the entire fishery (Anonymous 2010). +0.25 Species is close to virgin biomass. +0.25 Current levels of abundance provide adequate food for other predators or are not known to affect the structure of the associated food web. Juvenile salmon typically eat insects and small zooplankton when in freshwater (Burger et al. 1983), and small crustaceans, fish fry, herring and squid in the oceans (ADFG 1985a,b,c,d and e). Adult salmon eat primarily fish and invertebrates (Scott and Crossman 1973; Morrow 1980). Fish, birds and small mammals prey on juvenile salmon, while adults are preyed on by bears, mammals, large birds, lampreys and marine mammals (Scott and Crossman 1973). Considering the high abundance of salmon in Alaska, it is likely they provide adequate food for predators so points were added. 3.75 Points for Abundance HABITAT QUALITY AND FISHING GEAR IMPACTS Core Points (only one selection allowed) Select the option that most accurately describes the effect of the fishing method upon the habitat that it affects 1.00 The fishing method causes great damage to physical and biogenic habitats (e.g., cyanide; blasting; bottom trawling; dredging). 2.00 The fishing method does moderate damage to physical and biogenic habitats (e.g., bottom gillnets; traps and pots; bottom longlines).

3.00 The fishing method does little damage to physical or biogenic habitats (e.g., hand picking; hand raking; hook and line; pelagic long lines; mid-water trawl or gillnet; purse seines). Salmon in Alaska are caught using a variety of fishing methods including purse seines, trolls, and drift and set gillnets (Chaffee, 2000). The majority of salmon are caught with purse seines (71%) followed by gillnets (27%) and troll gear (2%) (ADGF 2003), but the ratio varies between regions in Alaska. In Bristol Bay, for example, drift (83%) and set nets (17%) are the only gears allowed in the salmon fishery (Salomone 2009). The fishing method also varies among salmon species. Most Chinook Salmon are caught using troll gear and gillnets (Delaney 1994), while most Chum Salmon are caught by purse seines and drift gillnets (Buklis, 1994). Coho Salmon are caught primarily in the troll fishery in Southeast Alaska (Elliott, 1994). Most Pink Salmon are taken with purse seines and drift or set gillnets (Kingsbury 1994). A small number of Pink Salmon are also taken with troll gear or beach seines (Kingsbury, 1994). Sockeye Salmon are commonly caught with gillnets, with some captured with purse seines, and a relatively small number caught with troll gear (ADFG 1994). The various fishing methods used to catch salmon in Alaska cause little impact on the habitat. Points of Adjustment (multiple selections allowed) -0.25 Habitat for this species is so compromised from non-fishery impacts that the ability of the habitat to support this species is substantially reduced (e.g., dams; pollution; coastal development). -0.25 Critical habitat areas (e.g., spawning areas) for this species are not protected by management using time/area closures, marine reserves, etc. -0.25 No efforts are being made to minimize damage from existing gear types OR new or modified gear is increasing habitat damage (e.g., fitting trawls with roller rigs or rockhopping gear; more robust gear for deep-sea fisheries). -0.25 If gear impacts are substantial, resilience of affected habitats is very slow (e.g., deep water corals; rocky bottoms). +0.25 Habitat for this species remains robust and viable and is capable of supporting this species. Salmon rely on numerous freshwater, brackish, and marine habitats for all of their life stages. These habitats are considered healthy in Alaska (Chaffee 2000; Knapman et al. 2009) and are one reason for the current high abundance of Salmon throughout the state.

+0.25 Critical habitat areas (e.g., spawning areas) for this species are protected by management using time/area closures, marine reserves, etc. Many important habitat areas for Salmon are protected in Alaska, and industry and development in areas that would affect Salmon are strictly regulated (ADFG 2003). The Alaska state constitution requires that Salmon habitat is conserved and protected. The US Forest Service manages commercial logging in Alaska on federal lands, and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources manages logging on state and private lands. The Alaska Forest Practices Act regulates activities affecting fish habitat. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game Habitat Division is responsible for providing expert advice to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources on issues of logging near Salmon spawning waters (Chaffee, 2000). +0.25 Gear innovations are being implemented over a majority of the fishing area to minimize damage from gear types OR no innovations necessary because gear effects are minimal. Gear effects on habitat are minimal (Chaffee, 2000). +0.25 If gear impacts are substantial, resilience of affected habitats is fast (e.g., mud or sandy bottoms) OR gear effects are minimal. Gear effects on habitat are minimal (Chaffee, 2000). 4.00 Points for Habitat Quality and Fishing Gear Impacts MANAGEMENT Core Points (only one selection allowed) Select the option that most accurately describes the current management of the fisheries of this species. 1.00 Regulations are ineffective (e.g., illegal fishing or overfishing is occurring) OR the fishery is unregulated (i.e., no control rules are in effect). 2.00 Management measures are in place over a major portion over the species' range but implementation has not met conservation goals OR management measures are in place but have not been in place long enough to determine if they are likely to achieve conservation and sustainability goals.

3.00 Substantial management measures are in place over a large portion of the species range and have demonstrated success in achieving conservation and sustainability goals. There is an extensive management framework in place to manage Alaskan Salmon commercial fisheries. Alaska s state constitution requires the conservation of Salmon populations (ADFG 2003; Clark et al. 2006). The first priority it to meet spawning escapement goals (i.e. adult fish returning to a river to spawn), followed by providing enough Salmon for subsistence fishermen (NPFMC 2008). State fisheries law is codified in Alaska Statute Title 16 (AS 16) that includes provisions for creation and operation of the Alaska Board of Fisheries. The Board in turn announces regulations for the conservation, management, allocation and resource development of the fisheries resources under the Alaska Administrative Code Title 5 and allocates the yield of Salmon to those who utilize the resource (ADFG 2003; Clark et al. 2006). These regulations address commercial, recreational, personal use and subsistence harvest (Chaffee, 2000). Alaskan commercial Salmon fisheries are managed under four regional management regions: Southeast Fishery Management Region, Central Fishery Management Region, Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Fishery Management region and Westward Fishery Management Region (Knapman et al. 2009). Managers within these regions have the responsibility of in-season management of Salmon fisheries (Clark et al. 2006; Knapman et al. 2009). Salmon are not allowed to be caught with gillnets in federal waters and no commercial fishing is allowed west of Cape Suckling (NPFMC 2008). The Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) administers the commercial fishery entry permit system. CFEC permits were awarded on the basis of documented historical participation. They are designated for a specific gear type in a specific area of the state. They are a property right of the holder and may be sold (Chaffee 2000; Clark et al. 2006). The Pacific Salmon Treaty between the US and Canada, impacts Alaska Salmon catch particularly in southeast Alaska and to some extent in the Yukon River fisheries. The Pacific Salmon Commission sets limits for various species, areas, seasons and gears (PSCJCTC 2009), which may cause certain fisheries to change the manner in which they have operated historically. The US Endangered Species Act has a similar impact. For example, a size limit of 28 is in place for purse seine vessels and they must use Chinook Salmon non-retention (CNR) regulations (PSCJCTC 2009). Chinook Salmon smaller than 21-28 are not allowed to be sold in any fishery (PSCJCTC 2009). Although there are no endemic species listed under either the state or federal ESA, there are numerous stocks or populations that are listed that are known to transit Alaska waters during some part of their migration. The state manages the southeast Alaska troll fishery through an agreement with the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act). It is in this segment of the Alaskan Salmon fishery that stocks listed under the ESA are most likely to be caught. This requires negotiation with the National Marine Fisheries Service to obtain an annual 'Section 7' permit. This permit allows the fishery to be conducted in a manner that minimizes the likelihood of impact on listed stocks. These regulations may be

significantly different from the manner in which the fishery was historically managed (Chaffee, 2000). The Alaska commercial Salmon fisheries received certification against the Marine Stewardship Council principles and criteria in 2000 (Chaffee, 2000) and was recertified in 2007 (Knapman et al. 2009). Initially the Alaska Department of Fish and Game served as the client for certification, but that role has now been taken up by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation. Points of Adjustment (multiple selections allowed) -0.25 There is inadequate scientific monitoring of stock status, catch or fishing effort. -0.25 Management does not explicitly address fishery effects on habitat, food webs, and ecosystems. -0.25 This species is overfished and no recovery plan or an ineffective recovery plan is in place. -0.25 Management has failed to reduce excess capacity in this fishery or implements subsidies that result in excess capacity in this fishery. +0.25 There is adequate scientific monitoring, analysis and interpretation of stock status, catch and fishing effort. Alaska s in-season abundance based management approach has been heralded as the key to the successful management of Alaskan Salmon (ADFG 2003). The Alaska Department of Fish and Game monitors Salmon population abundance during the fishing season through the use of test fishing, analysis of commercial fishing data, observed escapements from hatcheries, information on age, sex and size of Salmon and historical run-timing curves (Clark et al. 2006 and Knapman et al. 2009). Fishing effort from all commercial fisheries is monitored through the use of fish tickets and aerial surveys (Clark et al. 2006 and Knapman et al. 2009). Age, length and sex data is collected for Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye Salmon from the drift gillnet fisheries but is lacking for Chum and Pink Salmon (Clark et al. 2006 and Knapman et al. 2009). Hatchery contributions to the drift gillnet fishery, of Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye Salmon are available through otolith recovery programs (Clark et al. 2006 and Knapman et al. 2009). Otolith thermal marks are used to monitor the in season contribution to this fishery of wild and hatchery Chinook and Coho Salmon (Clark et al. 2006 and Knapman et al. 2009). Sockeye Salmon in season stock identifications programs are also used in the Bristol Bay Sockeye fishery (Knapman et al. 2009). Migratory routes of Pink Salmon are available through tagging data and catch data is available (Knapman et al. 2009). Information for Chum Salmon is lacking compared to what is available for other species (Heinl 2005 and Knapman et al. 2009). The Marine Stewardship Council awarded the

Alaskan salmon fishery 75 out of 100 points for use/understanding of indicator stocks for Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink and Chum Salmon (Knapman et al. 2009). +0.25 Management explicitly and effectively addresses fishery effects on habitat, food webs, and ecosystems. Management effectively addresses fishery effects on habitat and ecosystems (ADFG 2001). However, there are general areas of controversy surrounding the salmon hatchery program (Brannon et al. 2004) that include: (1) Returning hatchery fish mix with natural stocks as they enter fishing areas. Hatchery stocks are able to withstand very high exploitation rates that may exceed those tolerable by a stock that spawns under natural conditions. Fishing grounds where catch of mixed hatchery and wild stocks occurs makes it difficult to maximize hatchery harvest while ensuring adequate protection is provided to naturally spawning stocks (Hilborn and Eggers 2000; Brannon et al. 2004). (2) There is conflicting data on whether the release of large numbers of hatchery juveniles into nearshore rearing areas has an adverse effect on the growth and survival of natural stocks due to competition for food (Reese et al. 2009; Ward et al. 2009). (3) Straying and spawning of hatchery-origin salmon into natural spawning areas may adversely affect the genetic fitness and productivity of wild populations (Kostow 2008). The State of Alaska has policies and procedures in place to minimize the risk of these potential adverse impacts on wild stocks from the hatchery program. These include a policy prioritizing the conservation of wild salmon populations, a policy to prevent the loss of genetic pools, procedures to monitor diseases, and management of hatchery terminal fishing areas. Specific practices in place include: hatchery permitting, requiring hatcheries to be away from wild populations, use of local brood sources, wild populations must be given first priority in fishery management issues, marketing requirements and studies on hatchery/wild population interactions (McGee 2004). These policies and practices result in sustainable management of the permitting of fish transports and management of mixed wild/hatchery fisheries. Furthermore, most hatchery releases are marked (either with thermal marks or Coded Wire Tags) through hatchery wild stock identification programs (Clark et al. 2006 and Knapman et al. 2009). +0.25 This species is overfished and there is a recovery plan (including benchmarks, timetables and methods to evaluate success) in place that is showing signs of success OR recovery plan is not needed. These species are not overfished, thus recovery plans are not needed (Volk et al. 2009).

+0.25 Management has taken action to control excess capacity or reduce subsidies that result in excess capacity OR no measures are necessary because fishery is not overcapitalized. Capacity is controlled using a limited entry program with day-to-day adaptive management (U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service 2003; CFEC 2008). 4.00 Points for Management BYCATCH Core Points (only one selection allowed) Select the option that most accurately describes the current level of bycatch and the consequences that result from fishing this species. The term, "bycatch" used in this document excludes incidental catch of a species for which an adequate management framework exists. The terms, "endangered, threatened, or protected," used in this document refer to species status that is determined by national legislation such as the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (or another nation's equivalent), the IUCN Red List, or a credible scientific body such as the American Fisheries Society. 1.00 Bycatch in this fishery is high (>100% of targeted landings), OR regularly includes a "threatened, endangered or protected species." 2.00 Bycatch in this fishery is moderate (10-99% of targeted landings) AND does not regularly include "threatened, endangered or protected species" OR level of bycatch is unknown. Bycatch in Alaskan Salmon fisheries is not believed to be significant (Chaffee 2000; U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service 2003). However, no quantitative information of total bycatch is available. The fisheries that target Salmon in Alaska are listed by the National Marine Fisheries Service as having bycatch levels ranging from 1 to <50% of targeted landings (NOAA 2009), with bycatch typically including other fish species. Incidental catch of marine mammals may also occur such as beluga and gray whales, harbor and northern fur seals, and Pacific white-sided dolphins (NOAA 2009). There is also some bycatch of endangered seabirds and Endangered Species Act listed salmon from the Pacific Northwest (Moore et al. 2009). 3.00 Bycatch in this fishery is low (<10% of targeted landings) and does not regularly include "threatened, endangered or protected species."

Points of Adjustment (multiple selections allowed) -0.25 Bycatch in this fishery is a contributing factor to the decline of "threatened, endangered, or protected species" and no effective measures are being taken to reduce it. -0.25 Bycatch of targeted or non-targeted species (e.g., undersize individuals) in this fishery is high and no measures are being taken to reduce it. -0.25 Bycatch of this species (e.g., undersize individuals) in other fisheries is high OR bycatch of this species in other fisheries inhibits its recovery, and no measures are being taken to reduce it. -0.25 The continued removal of the bycatch species contributes to its decline. +0.25 Measures taken over a major portion of the species range have been shown to reduce bycatch of "threatened, endangered, or protected species" or bycatch rates are no longer deemed to affect the abundance of the "protected" bycatch species OR no measures needed because fishery is highly selective (e.g., harpoon; spear). +0.25 There is bycatch of targeted (e.g., undersize individuals) or non-targeted species in this fishery and measures (e.g., gear modifications) have been implemented that have been shown to reduce bycatch over a large portion of the species range OR no measures are needed because fishery is highly selective (e.g., harpoon; spear). The troll fishery in Alaska has size limits for Chinook Salmon to help rebuild abundance and population size (Anonymous 2010). +0.25 Bycatch of this species in other fisheries is low OR bycatch of this species in other fisheries inhibits its recovery, but effective measures are being taken to reduce it over a large portion of the range. Alaskan Salmon, primarily Chinook and Chum, are caught as bycatch in the Bering Sea pollock fishery (NPFMC 2008). Sockeye, Coho, Pink and Chum Salmon are condensed into a category termed non-chinook and Chum Salmon represent 99.6 % of this category (NPFMC 2008). Chinook bycatch in this fishery has increased since 2002 to the highest levels in 2007 but have since declined (NPFMC 2008). Non-Chinook Salmon bycatch has ranged from 88% to 95% of the total bycatch (NPFMC 2008). Managers use a cap system whereby the Chinook Salmon Savings Areas are closed to the pollock fishery once a certain amount of Chinook Salmon is caught (NPFMC 2008). Beginning in 2006, fishermen that participate in the inter-cooperative agreement (ICA) that uses a voluntary rolling hotspot system (BRHS) are exempt from this closure (NPFMC 2008). A separate cap system applies to Chum Salmon catches in the pollock fishery (NPFMC 2008). Once this cap is met, the Chum Salmon Savings Area is closed to directed pollock fishing from August 1 August 31 (NPFMC 2008). There is also a quota for Salmon other than Chum in the Catcher Vessel Operational Area (CVOA), which when reached would close this area to directed pollock fishing from September 1 October 14

(NPFMC 2008). We have added points to account for the management measures in place to reduce the bycatch of Salmon in other fisheries. +0.25 The continued removal of the bycatch species in the targeted fishery has had or will likely have little or no impact on populations of the bycatch species OR there are no significant bycatch concerns because the fishery is highly selective (e.g., harpoon; spear). 2.50 Points for Bycatch REFERENCES Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1985. Coho Salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. In: Alaska Habitat Management Guide, Southcentral Region, Volume I: Life Histories and Habitat Requirements of Fish and Wildlife. Juneau, Alaska, USA. 17 p. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1985b. Pink Salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha. In: Alaska Habitat Management Guide, Southcentral Region, Volume I: Life Histories and Habitat Requirements of Fish and Wildlife. Juneau, Alaska, USA. 16 p. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1985c. Chinook Salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. In: Alaska Habitat Management Guide, Southcentral Region, Volume I: Life Histories and Habitat Requirements of Fish and Wildlife. Juneau, Alaska, USA. 18 p. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1985d. Chum Salmon, Oncorhynchus keta. In: Alaska Habitat Management Guide, Southcentral Region, Volume I: Life Histories and Habitat Requirements of Fish and Wildlife. Juneau, Alaska, USA. 17 p. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1985e. Sockeye Salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka. In: Alaska Habitat Management Guide, Southcentral Region, Volume I: Life Histories and Habitat Requirements of Fish and Wildlife. Juneau, Alaska, USA. 16 p. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1994. Sockeye salmon. Available on the web at http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/fish/sockeye.php. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 2001. Sustainable salmon fishery policy for the state of Alaska. Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Board of Fisheries. 10 p. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 2003. Alaska s salmon management: story of success. 2 p. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Juneau, AK. 2 p. Online: http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/ geninfo/finfish/salmon/salmhome.php

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