Clearwater River Coho Salmon Production XIV

The Clearwater River Coho Salmon Production Project XIV continued the coho salmon reintroduction work in the Clearwater subbasin begun by the previous thirteen PCSRF projects by the Nez Perce Tribe. 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.

The work performed under this project at each worksite was as follows:

Worksite #1, Dworshak National Fish Hatchery (DNFH): Trapped 1380 returning coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for the coho hatchery production groups under this project. Reared 549,770 coho and marked 203,037 with Coded Wire Tags. When the smolts had reached optimum growth levels they were transported to Kooskia NFH for acclimation and release (used PCSRF funds for all activities).

Worksite #2, Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery (ECNFH): From broodstock eggs from DNFH and Lapwai Creek, reared 510,155 coho smolts (used non-PCSRF funding), prior to transport of 286,175 smolts to Lapwai Creek and 223,980 smolts to Kooskia NFH for acclimation and release (used PCSRF funds). Marked 60,078 coho with Coded Wire Tags (used non-PCSRF funds).

Worksite #3, Kooskia National Fish Hatchery (KNFH): Trapped 4388 coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for all of the coho hatchery production groups under this project (used PCSRF funds). Incubated and acclimatized 549,770 coho smolts from DNFH and ECNFH and pit tagged 9,993 of the smolts (used PCSRF funds and some other funds). Of the surviving coho smolts, released 549,770 coho smolts directly into Clear Creek right next to Kooskia National Fish Hatchery (used some PCSRF funds and other funds for this).

Worksite #4, Lapwai Creek: Trapped 1611 coho adults and used as broodstock to provide eggs for all of the coho hatchery production groups under this project (used PCSRF funds). Acclimated and released 286,175 smolts from Eagle Creek NFH (used some non-PCSRF funds and other funds for this). Marked 30,040 coho with PIT Tags and 4,998 coho with Coded Wire Tags.

Worksite #5, Cascade Fish Hatchery (CFH): 485,031 Lower Columbia River coho stock (Tanner creek) smolts were released into Lapwai Creek (using other funds). PCSRF funds were used to collect and spawn 566 coho adults.

This project also supported the communication of its approach and findings to resource managers. This is divided into three specific areas involving: 1) interagency coordination with on going production issues, 2) coordination with regards to ESA Act issues, and 3) coordination with regards to funding processes.

1) Coordinated supplementation planning.

Completed the intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding for fish production and fish health screening. We participate in the annual and semi-annual Clearwater Annual Operating Plan meetings at Clearwater and Dworshak fish hatcheries. All progress reports were completed and submitted.

2) Consulted with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries on ESA compliance of the project.

Nez Perce Tribe is currently in the process of updating our Clearwater Coho Hatchery Genetic Management Plan.

Nez Perce Tribe annually updates National Marine Fisheries Service with our proposed operations.

3) Communicated project results.

NPT staff developed monthly, semi-annual and annual progress reports and participated and assisted with development of the Clearwater Annual Operating Plans with co-managers – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and other Nez Perce Tribal Fisheries divisions. Staff updated databases for Coded Wire Tag and Passive Integrated Transponder tags and provided Coho trap and end of season

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.

The Nez Perce Tribe developed management objectives aimed at achieving the overall goal of the program. These include:
• Establish a localized Clearwater River coho salmon broodstock.
• Establish natural spawning populations of coho salmon in the Clearwater River Subbasin.
• Utilize hatchery production to achieve optimal production effectiveness while meeting priority management objectives for natural production enhancement, harvest, diversity and minimizing impacts to non-target populations.
• Restore and maintain treaty-reserved tribal and recreational fisheries.
• Monitor and evaluate program activities and communicate program findings to resource managers.
• This project specifically provides fish for tribal treaty rights. It gives the treaty tribes access to Mitchell Act fish that were previously released downstream of Bonneville Dam, it provides fish for harvest in the Columbia River from the mouth up through Zone 6, it provides fish for harvest in the tributaries of the Snake River, and it provides fish for natural spawning and reintroduction of an extirpated stock in the Clearwater River.
• Reintroduction and natural production of coho is succeeding in the Clearwater Basin. Because coho spawn in smaller tributaries in the fall, these fish have proven to be a critical source of nutrients in the streams and a source of food for our tables. There have been many coho redds counted in Clearwater tributaries since 2011 – most of those in Lapwai and Clear creeks where juveniles are released. The spawners are a highly visible testament in our local communities that we can have salmon, that restoration programs have a tangible benefit