Quinault Sockeye Supplementation

The sockeye supplementation program is transitioning from a release goal of 1,000,000 unfed fry to 250,000 zero-age smolts. The larger smolts (150 fpp) will survive at a higher rate than unfed fry (4200 fpp). The goal is to achieve a similar contribution to future returns while minimizing impacts to the natural spawning population by collecting fewer adult spawners for the hatchery egg take. A water disinfection system and new 16 foot diameter circular rearing tanks were installed with funds from another funding source to carry out this program change. IHN virus is endemic in the Quinault sockeye population, which creates unacceptable risk of disease epidemics in the hatchery if incubation and rearing water is not disinfected prior to use.

A total of 263,259 fed fry weighing an average 2.38 grams/fish were released into Lake Quinault on July 6, 2013. In order to achieve adequate growth rates for smoltification to occur during the first summer of rearing, a target release size of 150 fish/lb (3 grams) is necessary. The target growth was not achieved this year. The circular rearing vessels were approaching capacity limits, so the fed fry were released. All releases are still being otolith thermal marked. Egg development will be advanced next year with an incubation water heating system in order to increase overall growth through July 1. The water velocity in our new 16 foot diameter circular tanks will also be adjusted to reduce swimming speeds, which should contribute to improved conversion rates.

The supplementation program will provide larger returns of natural sockeye runs to the Quinault River, which it is hoped will increase the total number of fry entering the lake to rear each year. Larger numbers of returning adults would directly result in better meeting the social and economic needs of the members of the Quinault Indian Nation. Habitat would be improved by increasing the nutrient load within the river system, which would in turn boost aquatic insect communities which are a source of prey for juvenile salmon.