Fisheries Management

Shoshone Bannock Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department developed Chinook salmon adult escapement estimates for 22 natural-origin Fishery Management Areas (FMA) and four overlapping hatchery-origin FMAs in the Salmon River Basin. Tribal staff participated in the US v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee to formulate forecasts at the Columbia River Mouth and Lower Granite Dam. Staff applied the Lower Granite Dam forecast to the Salmon River tributaries based on a redd sibling regression database to determine pre-season forecasts to the 22 natural-origin and 4 hatchery-origin populations in the Salmon River. Biologists applied adult forecast estimates to the abundance-based sliding scale harvest management frameworks and developed population specific harvest guidelines. The Fish and Wildlife Department submited the Chinook salmon fishery recommendations to Fort Hall Business Council for approval and met with Tribal Fishermen to discuss harvest regulations and guidelines during annual Fishermans Meeting. Staff communicated the Tribes fisheries intentions with the relevant co-managers and submited annual harvest guidelines to NOAA-Fisheries. As in-season run updates were generated, the Tribes will adjusted the adult forecast estimates to the harvest frameworks and updated harvest guidelines. Co-managers, NOAA-Fisheries, and Tribal Fishermen were notified of modifications to the regulations and guidelines as necessary.

Assist with recovering ESA-listed Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon