Lower Elwha FY 2020 Elwha Native Steelhead Stock Sampling Composition and Broodstock Collection

Inadequate trap entry of both hatchery and natural origin adult steelhead has resulted in missing both total eggtake and stock integration goals. Tangle nets at appropriate locations to sample and collect adults representative of the returning population. Activities will occur during the general peak of native winter steelhead river entry; April and May. As conditions allow, crews will deploy tangle nets in locations suited for netting. Fish will be measured, checked for adipose fin clips and returned to the river unless needed for broodstock. Crews will be present at all times nets are deployed and fish will quickly be removed from the net as soon as they become entangled. Fish needed for broodstock will be transferred to the hatchery’s fish transfer truck, transported to the hatchery, and placed in brood pond compartments depending on sex and degree of maturity.

This project will assist the hatchery program in achieving its production goal of 175,000 smolts. As an integrated program it is important that natural origin adults are included in the hatchery broodstock. Sampling of adult returns and the incorporation of NORs into the hatchery broodstock is specified in the HGMP that has been permitted by NOAA in the preservation and recolonization phases of Elwha steelhead recovery.