Regional Salmonid Research and Monitoring

The focus of this project was used to continue monitoring 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. The major components are:

Task A) Lake Ozette Sockeye smolt trapping in the Ozette River during outmigration to generate an estimate of total sockeye smolt production. Hatchery and natural origin smolts will be enumerated separately, as will all other salmonid species encountered. These smolt abundance estimates are necessary to measure marine and freshwater survival and productivity and relative contribution by hatchery-origin sockeye. The smolt trap will be installed in the Ozette River as early in April as conditions permit, and tended through the end of the sockeye smolt outmigration, typically mid-June.

Task B) Adult sockeye run size entering Lake Ozette is monitored annually to estimate overall abundance. The adult sockeye run is recorded with an underwater video camera, which feeds to a both time-lapse VCR recorder and a computer hard drive. Fish passages are recorded 24/7 for the duration of the run. Estimates for natural- and hatchery-origin adult sockeye are determined by reviewing images for adipose fin clip ratios. Population estimates are subsequently compared to estimates from both the adult weir at Umbrella Creek and stream spawner surveys. Predator encounters and general fish condition are also evaluated. Computer software is being incorporated. The resulting estimates of survival to return are essential to monitor the status of this ESU and effectiveness of enhancement programs.

Task C) Adult sockeye escapement to Umbrella Creek is estimated by tagging and releasing a known number of adults at the Umbrella Creek weir and calculating total escapement by comparing tagged:untagged observations during surveys. Adipose clips and otolith marks are used to identify hatchery fish and their release groups and evaluate performance of hatchery programs. The resulting escapement estimate is subtracted from the total estimated run size entering the lake at the Ozette River weir (Task B) to derive an estimate of abundance for the beach spawning population. This is a vital monitoring component to ensure that tributary populations do not mask the status of the beach spawning population. The Umbrella Creek weir will operate from early October through December of 2009, and spawning surveys will take place from mid October through January of 2010.

Task D) Spawner surveys and sample collections will be conducted on Lake Ozette beaches and in the tributaries. Otoliths will be collected to determine age and release group. The WDFW laboratory in Olympia, WA, will read otoliths for age and thermal marks. Tissue samples collected from recovered carcasses will be archived for future genetic evaluation of the integrity of the spawning aggregations, potential interbreeding with kokanee, and possible effects of hatchery practices.

Task E). All hatchery origin sockeye will receive thermal otolith marks indicating hatchery origin and release group. As many of the hatchery releases as possible will be adipose fin clipped. Otolith marking and fin clipping are requirements of the HGMP and are essential for monitoring the effects of different hatchery release strategies on survival, return and stray rates. A calcein marking trial has proven this to be a viable method of non-lethal identification of unclipped hatchery origin sockeye during smolt outmigration and will also be continued.

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.