FY 2024 Lake Ozette Sockeye Calcein Marking and Smolt Monitoring

We propose to operate the smolt trap during the sockeye smolt out-migration period from April 2025 to July 2025. Data analysis and reporting will be completed by October 2025. The calcein dye application for the next smolt cycle will begin in May/June 2026. These smolts will out-migrate in the Spring of 2027. We will provide progress reports per PCSRF and RCO reporting requirements, and provide a final report by the end of the contract period in 2027.

The ability to non-lethally monitor hatchery progeny in the out-migrating smolt population of this ESA listed stock is critical to implementing adaptive management of the sockeye recovery programs. This project has the potential to detect changes in freshwater survival of sockeye progeny four years sooner than adult returns alone without the confounding effects of variable marine survival. This in turn allows us to more rapidly adjust our rearing and release protocols as necessary.