BSAI/GOA Salmon Bycatch GSI

This project helped produce annual stock composition estimates of the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 (and partially supported the 2015) salmon bycatch in both the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) federal groundfish fisheries. These included estimates for 1) the Chinook salmon bycatch samples from the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) trawl fishery, 2) the chum salmon bycatch samples from the BSAI trawl fishery, and 3) the Chinook salmon bycatch samples from the GOA trawl fishery. Sample sets were divided to identify stock composition by time and space to help determine regional salmon catches. This information is critical for fisheries managers trying to mitigate the effects of the bycatch on affected Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed stocks and communities dependent on subsistence salmon fishing. Results were presented at the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Stock composition analysis of the salmon bycatch from the BSAI and GOA pollock trawl fisheries will help quantify its potential effects on communities in Western Alaska and elsewhere which are dependent on Chinook and chum salmon for subsistence fishing. Results regarding numbers of bycaught salmon originating from aggregated Pacific Northwest salmon stocks will be reported to the NMFS Northwest Region as required by the Biological Opinion regarding ESA-listed salmon. A test protocol for increased sampling for salmon with CWTs in the GOA will be conducted as a means to potentially improve detection of ESA-listed salmon in the future.