Ozette and Western Strait of Juan de Fuca Regional Salmonid Research and Monitoring

The Ozette River smolt trap was installed on April 7, 2008 and operated independently until April 20th. When the Ozette River picket weir was installed on April 21st, both the smolt trap and adult video monitoring system were incorporated into the weir as an integrated system. Between April 24th and May 16th, 301 sockeye smolts averaging 13.68 cm in length were sampled at the Ozette River smolt trap. Out-migrating smolt size increased over time from 12.90 cm to 14.17 cm. In all, 3% of a total 3143 sockeye smolts sampled were adipose-fin clipped, most of which (2%) were also calcein marked. At least 63% of the total smolt count was unmarked. Other species counted were northern pike minnow (152), pea mouth (159), chum fry (442), coho fry (60), and coho smolts (2823).

The Ozette River smolt trap was installed again the following year under PCSR FY2006 funding in mid-April 2009. In the following months, we checked the smolt outmigration for calcein-marked smolts as part of our normal trap operations. In the past we have found that mark retention was very good and, while there were some technical difficulties in evaluating the marks in daytime, nighttime results were better. With this marker we were able to identify all hatchery releases without having to kill any smolts to recover otoliths. This includes fed fry releases, as well as those reared to fingerling size and adipose fin-marked. We calculated the number of smolts per spawner for the RY08 broodstock that generated these smolts. We are continuing this work under PCSR FY 07 grant funding to further evaluate effectiveness and impacts of the tribal hatchery program for Lake Ozette sockeye salmon.

The Makah Tribe has always taken the lead in developing research methods and experimental designs to support the recovery of Lake Ozette sockeye. One of the major data gaps identified in the Lake Ozette Sockeye Recovery Plan was the complete lack of limnological data for Lake Ozette. A YSI 6600 V2 multiparameter water quality datasonde was purchased in 2009 with PCSR FY2006 funds and deployed in Lake Ozette to measure temperature, turbidity (optical), chlorophyll a, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (optical), and salinity. The Makah Tribe uses this instrument to monitor baseline water quality conditions throughout Lake Ozette. The monitoring program includes discrete vertical samples at 1m intervals at seven locations within Lake Ozette. These samples are taken once a month throughout the year. This program is intended to provide the Tribe and NOAA staff necessary information regarding timing of smolt emigration from the lake, as well as timing of lake turnover and mixing which has been alluded to being a potential factor in smolt emigration.

The time-lapse VCR tape of transits through the viewing chamber provides the primary record of adult escapement. In 2008, the VCR recording system to monitor adult sockeye run size return into Lake Ozette was operational between 5/15 and 8/18. The installation was later than usual due to high water flows, which were unsafe for earlier work in the river. Preliminary results showed a lower return in 2008 as compared to daily return rates observed in 2004-2006, but higher than 2007. During the first three months of 2009, we reviewed the 2008 videotapes to estimate the returning 2009 population. A very rough expansion for missed viewing time resulted in a total population of approximately 2,000-2,300 adult sockeye returning to the lake this year. This number will be further revised as review and evaluation of the tape data is completed under the PCSR FY 2007 grant period. Review of the computer hard drive records was also underway by the end of this grant period. When both methods of assessing adult return counts are complete, data will be compared and methods evaluated. Work also continued on further refinement of the viewing chamber system, including an improved method of integrating the viewing chamber into the

This project will allow Makah Fisheries Management to:
• Estimate the total number of adult sockeye entering Lake Ozette to allow investigators to guage the strength of the total run and different spawning aggregations within the lake.
• Determine the relative contribution of hatchery origin spawners in tributaries and monitor stray rates at all spawning locations.
• Estimate total sockeye smolt outmigration and relative hatchery contribution and survival in freshwater to determine the relative productivity of hatchery and natural outmigrants.
• Monitor smolt outmigration of other resident Lake Ozette salmonid populations, which provides an estimate of juvenile productivity
• Identify all hatchery returns by release group and thus provide information that can be used to evaluate of performance and impacts of various hatchery programs.
• Collect and archive genetic samples for future monitoring and comparison, which will be used in the future to assess changes in genetic baseline
• Capture a representative segment of returning adults for broodstock to both maintain genetic integration with natural spawners and stay within allowed collection limits.
• Stream gauging and sediment monitoring will allow for assessment of changes in conditions that might affect salmonid populations.

All of these components contribute to the overall monitoring of Lake Ozette Sockeye recovery efforts, per HGMP protocols and HSRG recommendations. Monitoring populations and performance of both hatchery and natural origin sockeye is vital to planning restoration projects and evaluating overall population status. This information will allow adaptive management of programs to enhance recovery, detect, and address possible negative effects, and ultimately contribute to delisting of Lake Ozette Sockeye as an ESA listed threatened species.