FY 2022 Implementation and Monitoring of Skagit Salmon Recovery Goals: Harvest Management Support

This project had three general components: 1) conducting an analysis of adult salmon data (test fishery, spawn ground, and harvest) to ensure objectives set forth by the Skagit Chinook Recovery Plan were met and that harvest was in compliance with measures outlined in the Puget Sound Harvest Management Plan; 2) improving harvest management tools by addressing data gaps in fisheries management plans; and 3) conducting an evaluation of Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Chum Salmon population status and trends. This project supported a Quantitative Scientist (0.59 FTE) and included coordination with Skagit co-managers (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Swinomish Indian Tribe, Upper Skagit Tribe, and Sauk-Suaittle Tribe). Outcomes of this work included 1) completion of terminal run reconstruction for Skagit River Chinook Salmon, 2) evaluation of terminal area exploitation rates in relation to harvest goals for Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Chum Salmon, 3) evaluation of the spawner-recruit relationship to determine changes in population dynamics for Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Chum Salmon, and 4) continued identification of products to improve harvest management in the Skagit by participating in weekly co-manager meetings.

Harvest can limit salmon recovery and degrade salmon stocks, and the purpose of the project is to provide the information that allows managers to conduct fisheries on harvestable fish, with low enough impacts that harvest is removed as a limiting factor on species recovery and salmon productivity in general. The goal of this work is to collate adult data for Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Chum Salmon and Steelhead for post season run reconstructions that are used for harvest management and tracking population status and trends.



This project will evaluate whether fisheries are impacting the recovery of ESA listed Chinook Salmon and Steelhead along with Coho Salmon and Chum Salmon returning to the Skagit River system. It will additionally evaluate escapement and harvest objectives outlined in local resource management plans and harvest limits outlined in Chinook and Coho AABM Agreements of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, to determine if harvest objectives are low enough to meet abundance based management reference points for Chinook and Steelhead to recover to delisting levels (as long as complementary habitat and artificial production actions are taken) and for Coho Salmon and Chum Salmon to remain at healthy levels. Finally, this project will allow us to map progress toward Chinook Salmon recovery and will enable timely implementation of management actions in light of significant changes in stock productivity.