Regional Salmonid Research and Monitoring

Task A: The focus of this project was to monitor the Lake Ozette sockeye population to track and evaluate the performance of enhancement projects and the overall status of this population of ESA-listed salmon. Lake Ozette sockeye smolt trapping in the Ozette River during outmigration provided an estimate of total sockeye smolt production. Hatchery and natural origin smolts were enumerated separately, as were all other salmonid species encountered. These smolt abundance estimates measured marine and freshwater survival and productivity and relative contribution by hatchery-origin sockeye. The smolt trap was installed in the Ozette River in April, monitored every day, and tended through the end of the sockeye smolt outmigration. From April through May, we operated our rotary screw trap on Ozette River in order to capture sockeye smolts. The smolt wheel ran for 37 days. The wheel was removed on May 28, 2009. The approximate total sockeye smolt count for the 2009 season was 723 smolts.

Task B: Adult sockeye run-size entering Lake Ozette was monitored with an underwater video camera 24/7, which feeds to a both time-lapse VCR recorder and a computer hard drive. This videotape was changed daily. Estimates for natural- and hatchery-origin adult sockeye were determined by reviewing images for adipose fin clip ratios. Population estimates were subsequently compared to estimates from both the adult weir at Umbrella Creek and the stream spawner surveys. Predator encounters and general fish condition were also evaluated. The picket weir and video chamber were installed and completed on April 21, 2009 and operated until August 12, 2009, when the adult migrants finished their run. Review of VCR tape records are expected to be complete by the summer of 2010. In addition, we completed our analysis of the 2008 tapes from last year with the help of our newly-hired fish technician. Work also continued on further refinement of the viewing chamber system, including a developing an improved method of integrating the viewing chamber into the picket weir.

Task C: Adult sockeye escapement to Umbrella Creek was estimated by tagging and releasing a known number of adults at the Umbrella Creek weir and calculating total escapement by comparing tagged vs. untagged observations during surveys. Adipose clips and otolith marks were used to identify hatchery fish and their release groups and evaluate performance of hatchery programs. The resulting escapement estimate was subtracted from the total estimated run size entering the lake at the Ozette River weir (under Task B) to derive the abundance of the lake spawning population. This was a vital monitoring component to ensure that tributary populations do not mask the status of the lake beach spawning population. Activities under this project were conducted in the autumn of 2008 between September and December. The first and last sockeye were captured between October 8 and December 11, 2008. While the trapping efficiencies from previous years ranged between 20% and 35%, our efficiency in 2008 was 33%. The 2008-9 sockeye adult escapement expansion, using the Schnabel population estimate formula, resulted in an estimated Umbrella Creek escapement totaling 2,297 fish. Please see the 2008 Umbrella Creek Resistance Board Weir Final Report that was submitted to NWIFC for further details.

Task D: Surveys for spawning sockeye and kokanee in Lake Ozette tributaries and on the beaches were conducted between 10/21/08 to 01/31/09. The surveys spanned several reaches in three tributaries (Umbrella Creek, Big River, and Coal Creek). Approximately 200 live sockeye were counted and more than 200 redds were identified and recorded in the Lake Ozette tributaries. Seven carcasses recovered from Olsens beach were retained to provide both DNA and otolith samples.

Balance of actual description on file with NWIFC

This project will allow Makah Fisheries Management to:
• Estimate the total number of adult sockeye entering Lake Ozette and separate the total into different spawning aggregation estimates.
• 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.
• Monitor smolt outmigration of other resident Lake Ozette salmonid populations.
• Identify all hatchery returns by release group and thus facilitate evaluation of performance and impacts of various hatchery programs.
• Collect and archive genetic samples for future monitoring and comparison.
• Capture a representative segment of returning adults for broodstock to both maintain genetic integration with natural spawners and stay within allowed collection limits.

This project will provide better estimates of Lake Ozette Sockeye population size for outmigrating smolts and returning adults, of both hatchery and natural origin, and allow evaluation of hatchery programs release strategies (i.e. which release stage is most effective in producing adult returns to the Ozette system).. Accurate status information for both hatchery and natural components of the Lake Ozette Sockeye Recovery Strategy will lead to more effective recovery planning to assist this ESA listed stock in regaining healthy VSP characteristics.

All of these components contribute to the overall monitoring of Lake Ozette Sockeye recovery efforts, per Hatchery Genetic Management Plan (HGMP) protocols and Hatchery Scientific Review Group (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.