Hatchery Operations & Monitoring Improvements

We propose to purchase and install new incubator trays and stacks at current RSI locations. This will provide an improved rearing environment for Sockeye eggs and sac fry by maintaining a suitable incubation environment and preventing premature release/escape of alevins and swim-up fry. Success will be evaluated by monitoring mortality during incubation to ensure viability of environment, and inventory at first feeding to evaluate premature escape rates.


Funding will also be used to purchase and apply CWTs (coded wire tags) and ad-marks to groups of Hoko Fall Chinook fingerlings, which will allow specific identification of hatchery origin and rearing/release lot both upon return to the spawning grounds and within the marine fisheries. Short term success will be evaluated by checking tag retention rates prior to release. Long term success will be evaluated by surveying for returned adults, beginning in 2006, and monitoring the CWT recovery data for marine fisheries during the 6 years following release of the tagged smolts. Data generated from CWT recovery information will be used to both evaluate hatchery and natural spawner contribution to the total escapement by age class. It will also be used to evaluate marine survival and impacts within the marine fisheries of both the U.S. and Canada.

Improved rearing environment for RSI (remote site incubator) locations and increased survival and fish health.

Improved identification and tracking of hatchery origin fish, in terms of origin and also rearing/release group.