Clearwater River Coho Salmon Production XIII

The Clearwater River Coho Salmon Production Project XIII continued the coho salmon reintroduction work in the Clearwater subbasin begun by the previous twelve projects. This PCSRF project is solely a portion of the larger Nez Perce Tribe Clearwater River Coho Salmon Production Project (CRCSPP) that seeks to restore a localized coho salmon stock capable of enduring the migration to the Clearwater River subbasin to population levels sufficient to support a sustainable run capable of annual harvest.

This project (Phase XIII) conducted work at four worksites:

Worksite #1: Dworshak National Fish Hatchery (DNFH) – Trapped 707 returning coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for the coho hatchery production groups. In addition, 61,016 coho were marked with Coded Wire Tags. When the smolts had reached optimum growth levels, they were transported to Kooskia NFH for acclimation and release. Egg to smolt rearing was funded by other sources and was not part of this project.

Worksite #2: Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery (ECNFH) - Marked 60,158 smolts with Coded Wire Tags and transported 218,970 smolts to Lapwai Creek and 259,904 smolts to Kooskia NFH for acclimation and release. Egg (from DNFH and Lapwai Creek) to smolt rearing was funded by other sources and was not part of this project.

Worksite #3: Kooskia National Fish Hatchery (KNFH) – Trapped 498 coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for all of the coho hatchery production groups. Incubated and acclimatized 588,427 coho smolts from DNFH and ECNFH and pit tagged 9,980 of the smolts. Of the surviving coho smolts, released 259,904 coho smolts directly into Clear Creek next to Kooskia National Fish Hatchery.

Worksite #4: Lapwai Creek – Trapped 326 coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for all of the coho hatchery production groups. Acclimated and released 218,970 smolts from ECNFH. Marked _30,218_ coho with CWTs and _4,992_ coho with Pit Tags.

Objective 1: Developed a localized Clearwater River Coho salmon broodstock to support components of the restoration program.
• All fish production has been completed to produce Coho salmon for releases in the Clearwater River subbasin.

Objective 2: Effectively communicated program approach and findings to resource managers.

This activity is divided into three specific areas involving: 1) interagency coordination with ongoing production issues, 2) coordination with regards to Endangered Species Act issues, and 3) coordination with regards to funding processes.

Task 2.1: Coordinated supplementation planning.

Activity 2.1.1: Coordinated with the following agencies: Northwest Power and Conservation Council , Bonneville Power Administration, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and private entities, through one or more of the following forums: technical work groups, hatchery production management meetings, the NPPC hatchery review committees, intergovernmental agreements, US v Oregon Production Advisory Committee (PAC) or Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), other technical and policy meetings, and progress reports.

The Nez Perce Tribe’s overall goal is to reintroduce and restore coho salmon to the Clearwater River Subbasin at levels of abundance and productivity sufficient to support sustainable runs and annual harvest. Consistent with the Clearwater Subbasin Plan and Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi Wa-Kish-Wit: Spirit of the Salmon Tribal Recovery Plan, the Nez Perce Tribe envisions an annual escapement of 14,000 coho to the Clearwater River Subbasin. Based on results from the existing Clearwater River Subbasin coho production program and experience in managing anadromous fish populations in the Snake River Basin, the Nez Perce Tribe believes this program will require a substantial hatchery production component and the establishment of highly productive naturally spawning coho salmon aggregates.