Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program
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Project Summary

Project 2002-031-00 - Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation
Project Number:
2002-031-00
Title:
Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation
Summary:
This project will estimate precocious maturation in wild Yakima spring chinook for comparison to the hatchery fish, monitor yearling precocious maturation in the hatchery population, experimentally control precocious maturation in the hatchery population, and implement growth modulation studies to reduce precocious male maturation. Our goal is to develop rearing protocols to produce fish with morphological, physiological, and life-history attributes similar to naturally reared cohorts.
Proposer:
None
Proponent Orgs:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Govt - Federal)
Starting FY:
2002
Ending FY:
2025
BPA PM:
Stage:
Implementation - Project Status Report
Area:
Province Subbasin %
Columbia Plateau Yakima 100.00%
Purpose:
Artificial Production
Emphasis:
RM and E
Focal Species:
Chinook - All Populations
Chinook - Mid-Columbia River Spring ESU
Chinook - Snake River Fall ESU
Chinook - Snake River Spring/Summer
Chinook - Snake River Spring/Summer ESU
Chinook - Upper Columbia River Spring ESU
Chinook - Upper Columbia River Summer/Fall ESU
Sockeye - All Populations
Sockeye - Snake River ESU
Species Benefit:
Anadromous: 100.0%   Resident: 0.0%   Wildlife: 0.0%
Special:
None

Description: Page: 10 Figure 2: Map of the Yakima River Basin, Washington. Returning adult Spring Chinook salmon broodstock are collected in the autumn at the Adult collection facility at Roza Dam. Offspring are reared for approximately 17 months at the Cle Elum Supplementation and Research Facility. Smolts (and Minijacks) are released from Easton, Jack Creek (Teanaway River) and Clark Flat Acclimation sites in the spring. Outmigrating wild and hatchery smolts and minijacks are enumerated and sampled at the Chandler smolt by-pass facility at Prosser Dam.

Project(s): 2002-031-00

Document: P121529

Dimensions: 1015 x 1313


Summary of Budgets

To view all expenditures for all fiscal years, click "Project Exp. by FY"

To see more detailed project budget information, please visit the "Project Budget" page

Decided Budget Transfers  (FY2024 - FY2026)

Acct FY Acct Type Amount Fund Budget Decision Date
FY2024 Expense $372,372 From: General FY24 SOY Budget Upload 06/01/2023
FY2025 Expense $372,372 From: BiOp FCRPS 2008 (non-Accord) FY25 SOY 05/31/2024

Pending Budget Decision?  No


Actual Project Cost Share

Current Fiscal Year — 2025
Cost Share Partner Total Proposed Contribution Total Confirmed Contribution
There are no project cost share contributions to show.
Previous Fiscal Years
Fiscal Year Total Contributions % of Budget
2023
2022 $405,000 53%
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 $417,553 54%
2014 $408,350 53%
2013 $386,887 52%
2012 $341,145 49%
2011 $370,586 51%
2010 $352,939 51%
2009 $378,122 53%
2008 $324,896 49%
2007 $281,722 46%
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002

Contracts

The table below contains contracts with the following statuses: Active, Closed, Complete, History, Issued.
* "Total Contracted Amount" column includes contracted amount from both capital and expense components of the contract.
Expense Contracts:
Number Contractor Name Title Status Total Contracted Amount Dates
9556 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 GROWTH RATE MODULATION IN SPRING CHINOOK SALMON SUP Closed $662,581 6/1/2002 - 5/31/2004
17513 SOW University of Washington 2002-031-00 SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Closed $293,389 6/1/2004 - 5/31/2006
17450 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 PI SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Closed $351,121 6/1/2004 - 5/31/2006
27660 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP NMFS SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Closed $184,880 6/1/2006 - 5/31/2007
27591 SOW University of Washington 2002-031-00 EXP UW SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Closed $145,383 6/1/2006 - 5/31/2007
32746 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP NOAA GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $182,000 6/1/2007 - 5/31/2008
33210 SOW University of Washington 200203100 EXP UW GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $155,000 6/1/2007 - 5/31/2008
37892 SOW University of Washington 2002-031-00 EXP UW GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $160,859 6/1/2008 - 5/31/2009
37841 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP NOAA GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $176,000 6/1/2008 - 5/31/2009
42471 SOW University of Washington 2002-031-00 EXP UW GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $141,789 6/1/2009 - 5/31/2010
42547 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP NOAA GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $195,000 6/1/2009 - 5/31/2010
46804 SOW University of Washington 2002-031-00 EXP UW GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $119,900 6/1/2010 - 5/31/2011
46273 REL 9 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP NOAA GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $222,425 6/1/2010 - 5/31/2011
46273 REL 26 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP NOAA GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $268,910 6/1/2011 - 5/31/2012
53041 SOW University of Washington 2002-031-00 EXP GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $84,883 6/1/2011 - 5/31/2012
46273 REL 46 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP NOAA GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $281,880 6/1/2012 - 5/31/2013
57195 SOW University of Washington 2002-031-00 EXP GROWTH MODULATION IN SALMON SUPPLEMENTATION Closed $75,367 6/1/2012 - 5/31/2013
46273 REL 66 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP GROWTH MOD (NOAA) Closed $297,247 6/1/2013 - 5/31/2014
61266 SOW University of Washington 2002-031-00 EXP GROWTH MOD (UW) Closed $60,000 6/1/2013 - 5/31/2014
46273 REL 86 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP GROWTH MOD (NOAA) Closed $281,407 6/1/2014 - 6/30/2015
65316 SOW University of Washington 2002-031-00 EXP GROWTH MOD (UW) Closed $75,078 6/1/2014 - 6/30/2015
46273 REL 105 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP GROWTH MOD - NOAA Closed $353,881 7/1/2015 - 6/30/2016
46273 REL 118 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP GROWTH MOD - NOAA Closed $353,850 7/1/2016 - 6/30/2017
46273 REL 135 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP GROWTH MOD - NOAA Closed $357,248 7/1/2017 - 6/30/2018
46273 REL 153 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Closed $347,128 7/1/2018 - 6/30/2019
BPA-010634 Bonneville Power Administration Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation Active $9,867 10/1/2018 - 9/30/2019
46273 REL 168 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Closed $356,678 7/1/2019 - 6/30/2020
83639 REL 13 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Closed $356,678 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021
83639 REL 25 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Closed $356,678 7/1/2021 - 6/30/2022
83639 REL 38 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Closed $356,678 7/1/2022 - 6/30/2023
83639 REL 52 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Issued $356,678 7/1/2023 - 6/30/2024
83639 REL 63 SOW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2002-031-00 EXP SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION Issued $372,372 7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025



Annual Progress Reports
Expected (since FY2004):32
Completed:27
On time:24
Status Reports
Completed:117
On time:92
Avg Days Early:6

                Count of Contract Deliverables
Earliest Contract Subsequent Contracts Title Contractor Earliest Start Latest End Latest Status Accepted Reports Complete Green Yellow Red Total % Green and Complete Canceled
9556 17450, 27660, 32746, 37841, 42547, 46273 REL 9, 46273 REL 26, 46273 REL 46, 46273 REL 66, 46273 REL 86, 46273 REL 105, 46273 REL 118, 46273 REL 135, 46273 REL 153, 46273 REL 168, 83639 REL 13, 83639 REL 25, 83639 REL 38, 83639 REL 52, 83639 REL 63 2002-031-00 EXP SPRING CHINOOK GROWTH RATE MODULATION National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 06/01/2002 06/30/2025 Issued 77 242 14 0 16 272 94.12% 1
17513 27591, 33210, 37892, 42471, 46804, 53041, 57195, 61266, 65316 2002-031-00 EXP GROWTH MOD (UW) University of Washington 06/01/2004 06/30/2015 Closed 40 93 2 0 11 106 89.62% 1
BPA-10634 Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2018 09/30/2019 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Project Totals 117 335 16 0 27 378 92.86% 2


The table content is updated frequently and thus contains more recent information than what was in the original proposal reviewed by ISRP and Council.

Review: 2018 Research Project Status Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-NPCC-20210302
Project: 2002-031-00 - Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation
Review: 2018 Research Project Status Review
Approved Date: 12/20/2018
Recommendation: Implement
Comments: Recommendation: Sponsor is requested to submit an updated proposal in the Mainstem/Program Support Review, including a timeline for completing current research. Consider ISRP comments in proposal as appropriate. See programmatic issue on Fish Propagation. See programmatic issue on Information Sharing and Reporting.

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-ISRP-20181115
Project: 2002-031-00 - Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation
Review: 2018 Research Project Status Review
Completed Date: 11/15/2018
Final Round ISRP Date: 9/28/2018
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
Final Round ISRP Comment:

1. Objectives

The proponents found that hatcheries rearing yearling Chinook (i.e., spring, summer, and fall races) are producing substantial percentages of males that mature at age-2. In some cases, greater than 50% of the males were maturing as “minijacks.” The production of these precocious parr or minijacks reduces the production of anadromous fish, may lead to deleterious ecological and genetic interactions with native fishes, and complicates (i.e., biases) the computation of important demographic metrics such as SAR, SAS, and R/S values.

The overarching goal of this project is multi-faceted: (a) accurately determine the prevalence of minijacks in hatcheries that are releasing yearling Chinook smolts, (b) discern the environmental and genetic factors responsible for early maturation in hatchery settings, and (c) develop hatchery guidelines that can be used to reduce their occurrence. The project has developed clearly defined and measurable objectives to accomplish its overarching goal.

For example, surveys have been conducted to estimate the occurrence of minijacks in a number of the Basin’s Chinook hatcheries. These assessments occurred in both segregated and integrated hatchery programs. Common garden rearing studies were performed to determine if genetic factors were influencing early male maturation rates. Moreover, the effects of multiple environmental factors on minijack prevalence (e.g., feeding rates in the autumn/winter period, lipid content in foods, water temperatures during rearing, and feeding periodicity) were examined via carefully designed experiments.

The production of minijacks is a persistent problem faced by hatchery operators that rear and release yearling Chinook salmon. The project’s objectives directly and indirectly address several Fish Propagation uncertainties identified in the Council’s 2017 Research Plan. Consequently, the objectives of this project are relevant to the Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program. Furthermore, all the objectives and work described in the project’s narrative are time-based with clear end dates.

2. Methods

The proponents are using blood plasma 11-ketotestosrone assays to detect precocious maturation in juvenile Chinook. This assay has proven to be one of the most effective methods that can be applied to detect early maturation in male salmonids. Their annual reports, peer-reviewed papers, and presentations indicate that the project’s experimental designs and statistical approaches are appropriate. The narrative states that publications associated with this effort will be completed by 2022. However, given the key findings of this effort, we suspect the project team will continue to develop new hypotheses and conduct experiments that will directly benefit hatchery management in the Basin.

3. Results

The project is meeting its objectives, testing hypotheses, and addressing a number of Fish Propagation uncertainties contained in the Council’s 2017 Research Plan. Recent results from the project indicate that: (a) a wide range (e.g., 8 -71%) of hatchery-reared male chinook salmon mature precociously as age-2 minijacks throughout the Basin, (b) integrated hatchery stocks are frequently more susceptible than segregated stocks to early male maturation, (c) different stocks reared under identical conditions display an approximate 10-fold variation in minijack proportions (range 4.3-47% of males), (d) manipulation of ration and dietary lipid to match a “wild fish template” for growth significantly reduced minijack and jack rates in yearling Fall Chinook, and (e) a rearing design that uses a “wild fish template” for growth, through use of cold-water winter rearing acclimation facilities, increased age at maturation and improved SARs in hatchery Summer Chinook salmon.

The findings from the proponent’s common garden experiments have implications regarding broodstock transfers among facilities, most notably, when adult return numbers in one basin are inadequate to meet production goals in a given year. Transferring stocks with lower thresholds for early male maturation may result in higher than expected minijack rates in progeny from these stocks. This practice may fulfill short-term production goals but result in negative long-term consequences to the program depending on the specific stock and facility.

Results of the project have been used by managers to reduce minijack production in individual hatcheries. Additionally, the surveys for minijacks at Chinook hatcheries, controlled laboratory studies, and the proponent’s hatchery production experiments have substantially increased our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors that influence early male maturation. Idiosyncratic features at individual hatcheries (e.g., water sources, stock origins, whether hatcheries are operated as segregated or integrated programs, etc.) have all been identified as elements that can affect the incidence of early male maturation. As a result, each hatchery will need to implement a customized suite of strategies to reduce the occurrence of minijacks. There is no universal strategy. Although minimizing growth in the autumn and reducing the lipid content in feeds appear to be generally useful.

Future work is being directed toward assessing the physiological consequences of the measures used to reduce the prevalence of minijacks. Determining how shifts in diet formulations, feeding rates, water temperature, and other strategies designed to limit early maturity may affect smoltification, juvenile migration behavior, overall survival, and maturation age are also important. We encourage the project to continue its investigations into these questions.

Project results are being shared with hatchery operators and through annual reports and numerous peer-reviewed publications. Results are applicable both within and outside of the Columbia Basin.

4. 2017 Research Plan uncertainties validation

The Council’s 2017 Research Plan indicates that the project is addressing Fish Propagation uncertainties. These uncertainties coincide with those mentioned by the proponents.

Documentation Links:
Review: 2019-2021 Mainstem/Program Support

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-NPCC-20210312
Project: 2002-031-00 - Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation
Review: 2019-2021 Mainstem/Program Support
Proposal: NPCC19-2002-031-00
Proposal State: Pending Council Recommendation
Approved Date: 8/25/2019
Recommendation: Implement
Comments: Continue implementation considering ISRP comments. Sponsor to submit to Council a report including a timeline for current and anticipated research by September 30, 2020, ahead of the 2021 Habitat and Hatchery Review. The report will also be considered by the ISRP and Council ahead of the review to assess and ensure value-added to the program- funded hatchery programs. See Programmatic issues for Hatchery-related work and for Research projects.

[Background: See https:/www.nwcouncil.org/fish-and-wildlife/fish-and-wildlife-program/project-reviews-and-recommendations/mainstem-review]

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-ISRP-20190404
Project: 2002-031-00 - Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation
Review: 2019-2021 Mainstem/Program Support
Proposal Number: NPCC19-2002-031-00
Completed Date: None
First Round ISRP Date: 4/4/2019
First Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
First Round ISRP Comment:

Comment:

This is a highly relevant and practical research project that addresses key uncertainties involving survival and maturation rates of hatchery Chinook salmon and the potential effects of hatchery supplementation on natural and hatchery production. Results from this project may be used to help develop hatchery rearing regimes that minimize early male maturation rates and improve hatchery smolt-to-adult survival rates (SARs) while minimizing negative impacts to protected natural stocks, including resident fishes. The project has important implications for implementation of segregated versus integrated hatcheries, as the latter approach tends to produce earlier maturing minijacks. Based on the findings of this project, all Chinook salmon hatcheries in the Columbia Basin should test for and estimate the production of minijacks.

1. Objectives, Significance to Regional Programs, and Technical Background

Objectives are clearly stated and quantitative with implied time limits (one generation). The biological objectives have important implications for hatchery supplementation and management, including outcomes from segregated versus integrated hatcheries. The unintentional production of precocious salmon ("minijacks") reduces the production of anadromous fish (i.e., large fish that are harvested in fisheries), may lead to deleterious ecological and genetic interactions with native fishes, and complicates (i.e., biases) the calculation of important demographic metrics such as SAR, SAS, and R/S values. The anticipated outcomes are expressed quantitatively as hypotheses to be tested. Timelines for achievement are approximately 5 years (to obtain results over one full generation).

2. Results and Adaptive Management

Some objectives have already been achieved in that hypotheses have been tested at the laboratory scale, and multiple studies have been published in journals. The project is on track to assess the feasibility and potential benefits from implementation of its findings at a larger hatchery-level scale.

The project has evolved from surveys to accurately determine the prevalence of minijacks in hatchery releases of yearling Chinook smolts, to experiments to identify the environmental and genetic factors responsible for early maturation in hatchery settings, to efforts to develop hatchery guidelines that can be used to reduce minijack production in a variety of different settings. One of the most important and unexpected finding is that integrated hatcheries tend to produce more minijacks than segregated hatcheries because segregated hatcheries select against the use of minijacks in the broodstock. We expect the project team will continue to develop new hypotheses and conduct experiments that will provide direct benefits for hatchery management throughout the Basin.

3. Methods: Project Relationships, Work Types, and Deliverables

The numerous peer-reviewed publications indicate that the project includes appropriate experimental designs, methodology, and statistical methods. The proposal provides a good overview of the hypotheses tested, methods, findings, and relationships to key Fish and Wildlife Program issues throughout the Basin.

Documentation Links:
Review: RME / AP Category Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-NPCC-20101108
Project: 2002-031-00 - Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation
Review: RME / AP Category Review
Proposal: RMECAT-2002-031-00
Proposal State: Pending BPA Response
Approved Date: 6/10/2011
Recommendation: Fund (Qualified)
Comments: Implement through FY 2013. Implementation beyond FY 2013 based on ISRP and Council review of the results report and/or outcome of a regional hatchery effects evaluation process.
Conditions:
Council Condition #1 Programmatic Issue: RMECAT #4 Hatchery Effectiveness—.
Council Condition #2 Programmatic Issue: RMECAT #4 Hatchery Effectiveness—.

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-ISRP-20101015
Project: 2002-031-00 - Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation
Review: RME / AP Category Review
Proposal Number: RMECAT-2002-031-00
Completed Date: 12/17/2010
Final Round ISRP Date: 12/17/2010
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
Final Round ISRP Comment:
The project is providing a major benefit to fish and wildlife simply by bringing the high frequency of minijack age 2 maturing males to light. It is a result of fish culture practice that not only biases SAR estimation but also is probably a source of domestication selection. The project scientists are well positioned to understand the problem physiologically and to evaluate fish-culture practices.

1. Purpose, Significance to Regional Programs, Technical Background, and Objectives

There are very compelling ties to regional programs and to the Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program – the proponents have identified a major problem with Chinook supplementation and offer the prospect of adaptive change of practices:

Objective 1) Improve survival and reduce fitness loss in Columbia River URB Fall Chinook salmon.

Objective 2) Refine rearing protocols to reduce minijack rates and optimize smolt development in URB Fall Chinook salmon.

Objective 3) Continue long-term minijack monitoring in Spring Chinook salmon from the Yakima River Supplementation Program.


2. History: Accomplishments, Results, and Adaptive Management

The project scientists are an experienced team with a strong record of publishing results. They have demonstrated an insidious problem and clearly describe past and future adaptive changes to fish culture practices that have occurred or will occur as a result of this research.

3. Project Relationships, Emerging Limiting Factors, and Tailored Questions for Type of Work (Hatchery, RME, Tagging)

The proposal explains how the research will affect other activities in the region, as well as serve as a model for other regions. The proponents also broach the subject of climate change and how that may contribute to the minijack problem in this and other systems.

4. Deliverables, Work Elements, Metrics, and Methods

The proposal does a great job of describing deliverables (as well as reviewing their past progress and difficulties in meeting past deliverable due dates). That candor is refreshing! The level of detail explaining methodology (both experimental and analytical) was outstanding
First Round ISRP Date: 10/18/2010
First Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
First Round ISRP Comment:

The project is providing a major benefit to fish and wildlife simply by bringing the high frequency of minijack age 2 maturing males to light. It is a result of fish culture practice that not only biases SAR estimation but also is probably a source of domestication selection. The project scientists are well positioned to understand the problem physiologically and to evaluate fish-culture practices. 1. Purpose, Significance to Regional Programs, Technical Background, and Objectives There are very compelling ties to regional programs and to the Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program – the proponents have identified a major problem with Chinook supplementation and offer the prospect of adaptive change of practices: Objective 1) Improve survival and reduce fitness loss in Columbia River URB Fall Chinook salmon. Objective 2) Refine rearing protocols to reduce minijack rates and optimize smolt development in URB Fall Chinook salmon. Objective 3) Continue long-term minijack monitoring in Spring Chinook salmon from the Yakima River Supplementation Program. 2. History: Accomplishments, Results, and Adaptive Management The project scientists are an experienced team with a strong record of publishing results. They have demonstrated an insidious problem and clearly describe past and future adaptive changes to fish culture practices that have occurred or will occur as a result of this research. 3. Project Relationships, Emerging Limiting Factors, and Tailored Questions for Type of Work (Hatchery, RME, Tagging) The proposal explains how the research will affect other activities in the region, as well as serve as a model for other regions. The proponents also broach the subject of climate change and how that may contribute to the minijack problem in this and other systems. 4. Deliverables, Work Elements, Metrics, and Methods The proposal does a great job of describing deliverables (as well as reviewing their past progress and difficulties in meeting past deliverable due dates). That candor is refreshing! The level of detail explaining methodology (both experimental and analytical) was outstanding

Documentation Links:

2008 FCRPS BiOp Workgroup Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-BIOP-20101105
Project Number: 2002-031-00
Review: RME / AP Category Review
Proposal Number: RMECAT-2002-031-00
Completed Date: None
2008 FCRPS BiOp Workgroup Rating: Response Requested
Comments: BiOp Workgroup Comments: Please identify:
1. Why your data is "not electronically available"; and
2. What data sets will not be "electronically available" for various deliverables. Please specify the deliverable that is not electronically available. (Note a data set includes the raw data collected and additional data on analysis). For example if there is a deliverable for population adult abundance or habitat, we expect your raw and synthesized data to be made available electronically.
- Your response may help BPA identify funding needs for data repositories or identify an existing data warehouse that your data could be stored.

The BiOp RM&E Workgroups made the following determinations regarding the proposal's ability or need to support BiOp Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) RPAs. If you have questions regarding these RPA association conclusions, please contact your BPA COTR and they will help clarify, or they will arrange further discussion with the appropriate RM&E Workgroup Leads. BiOp RPA associations for the proposed work are: ( )
All Questionable RPA Associations ( ) and
All Deleted RPA Associations (64.2 65.2)
Proponent Response:

The two principal types of data compiled by this research project are smolt development physiological profiles (growth hormone levels, size, gill ATPase enzyme levels) and age-2 early male maturation (minijack) rates (11-ketotestosterone steroid levels) from fish reared either in laboratory based studies or production hatcheries.  There are no repositories for this type of data beyond the peer review literature.  This project has a strong record of publishing our findings in the peer reviewed literature.  However, there is some delay of perhaps years for multi-year studies in the collection of the samples, running of the laboratory assays, analyzing and interpreting the data.  Shorter term results can always be found in the BPA annual reports on line.  Neither of these repositories were listed as options in Taurus.   As this study has revealed, up to half of the male fish produced in some Chinook hatcheries are not smolts, but minijack maturing males. Minijack rates may be a useful metric for hatcheries to know, however to our knowledge, no hatchery program keeps track of this parameter.   Finally, in past and proposed work from this project different production rearing treatments were partially pit-tagged.  Survival and adult return data from those studies is available in Pit-taggis.  Thus, there is some indirect repository of data in that format.

Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-NPCC-20090924
Project: 2002-031-00 - Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Approved Date: 10/23/2006
Recommendation: Fund
Comments:

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-ISRP-20060831
Project: 2002-031-00 - Growth Modulation in Salmon Supplementation
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 8/31/2006
Final Round ISRP Date: None
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria (Qualified)
Final Round ISRP Comment:
This is an excellent proposal, but this project may be nearing the point of toning down the actual collection of more research data and instead developing recommendations for protocol development and implementation of existing findings. Along these lines, the work element to look at rearing practices should be emphasized.

The results of this study have broad applicability.

Technical and scientific background: The technical and scientific background for this proposal is outstanding. It gives the reader an excellent basis to understand the rest of the proposal -- not only what is proposed, but why as well.

Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: This proposal is clearly associated with reforms to artificial production in the basin, as evidenced by this quote: "Now, the focus is on reducing or eliminating deleterious effects of hatcheries on naturally rearing fish and redesigning and adjusting hatchery programs to rear fish that are qualitatively and qualitatively similar to wild fish, not to simply rear more fish in hatcheries."

Relationships to other projects: The proposal provides excellent detail in regards to specific projects, particularly to hatchery-rearing practices throughout the basin.

Project history: The proposal includes an excellent summary of the project history over the past five years, including listing important findings with excellent and informative figures. This is an interesting project at both the academic and practical levels.

Objectives: Although the specific objectives are well defined by tasks, an overarching objective of improving our understanding of the influences of artificial culture on the life history trajectories of salmon would be appropriate.

Tasks (work elements) and methods: Methods are extremely well explained, including nice conceptual diagrams.

Monitoring and evaluation: Evaluation has been provided in the past, and will likely continue in the future, to provide important insights into altering artificial production to make it compatible with populations of natural salmon.

Facilities, equipment, and personnel: Facilities have already been shown to be more than adequate.

Information transfer: Publication record is excellent, that is likely best outlet, although direct input into other programs would be good.

Benefits to focal and non-focal species: The project should provide benefits to both natural and hatchery populations of the focal species. There should be no adverse effect beyond interactions during data collections.
Documentation Links:

Legal Assessment (In-Lieu)

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-INLIEU-20090521
Project Number: 2002-031-00
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 10/6/2006
In Lieu Rating: Problems May Exist
Cost Share Rating: 2 - May be reasonable
Comment: RM&E to address early (too) male maturation in supplementation programs (help improve SAR); fishery managers, other hydro operators authorized/required; need cost share or other remedy. Upon review, COTR provided corrections including cost-share that sponsor had erroneously not included. Rating changed from "3.0" to "2.2."

Capital Assessment

Assessment Number: 2002-031-00-CAPITAL-20090618
Project Number: 2002-031-00
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 2/27/2007
Capital Rating: Does Not Qualify for Capital Funding
Capital Asset Category: None
Comment: None

Project Relationships: None

Name Role Organization
Donald Larsen Project Lead National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
David Kaplowe Supervisor Bonneville Power Administration
Verl Miller Project Manager Bonneville Power Administration