Yukon River Juvenile Chinook Survey

This project studied juvenile Chinook salmon in the northern Bering Sea in 2011. Trawl surveys, juvenile sampling, genetic analysis, and ocean condition monitoring led to an abundance index and proportion of Canadian-origin juvenile Chinook and analyses of 1) the relationship between juvenile abundance and ocean conditions; 2) size selective mortality; and 3) the distribution and abundance of prey species.

This project will increase understanding of how and when year class strength is established in Yukon River Chinook salmon, a key salmon stock used for subsistence in Alaska. Information on the energetic status and oceanographic conditions will provide key information on coastal marine habitats and their ability to support Chinook salmon populations during their first summer/fall at sea. It is anticipated that these data will assist efforts to reduce uncertainty in the production dynamics of Yukon River Chinook salmon and benefit the overall resource management of Yukon River Chinook salmon.