This project has four long term objectives: 1) ensure that the sample design and estimation methods for producing tribal catch estimates are statistically valid, 2) make accurate harvest data readily available for decision making, 3) improve the transparency and dissemination of catch estimates, with associated variances, and 4) account for the uncertainty of estimates in management. Ultimately, this project will determine and formalize statistically valid sampling protocols for tribal harvest estimates throughout the Columbia Basin.

This project should not be confused with project 200850200, Increased Zone 6 Tribal Fishery Monitoring, which actually involves sampling. This project is to evaluate the sampling design and estimation methods of the sampling program, and calculate precision of the estimates resulting from the sampling program, but this project is not the sampling project.

The majority of tribal harvest and catch sampling occur in the Zone 6 commercial gillnet fishery. Therefore, in 2010, the project will focus on the sampling scheme for this fishery. Primary objectives for 2010 are to 1) observe current sampling methods, 2) document current and historical sampling and estimation methods, 3) improve the sampling scheme, if possible, to maximize precision of estimates under existing funding, and 4) document a formal sampling protocol for future years. Catches in the fall gillnet fishery are comprised of bright and tule fall Chinook, A and B steelhead, and coho. Fish ticket data do not represent the entire catch, due to direct “over-the-bank” sales and subsistence use. Therefore, catch is estimated using creel census techniques, wherein an estimate of catch rate is combined with effort data to estimate total catch of each species and run.

Future years’ work will address similar objectives for other tribal fisheries. Tribal harvest in the mainstem is comprised of commercial gillnet, ceremonial and subsistence gillnet, and commercial and subsistence platform fisheries (using dip and hoop nets, and hook and line).

A secondary objective for 2010 is to begin developing a software application for data collection on a handheld device, for use in a future pilot project to improve collection, transcription, and real-time distribution of the data for timely use in making inseason management decisions. Ultimately, this will allow the data to immediately be synchronized with a secure online database using readily available WiFi hotspots. The data could then be automatically collated, error-checked, analyzed, and summarized, to provide the Technical Advisory Committee of the Columbia River Compact with real-time weekly catch estimates.

Weekly harvest management decisions are based on these catch estimates. Compliance with management agreements, including US v. Oregon and the Pacific Salmon Treaty, is evaluated based on these estimates. Catch estimates are also critical in estimating productivity and optimal escapement. It is important to understand the uncertainty associated with the estimates and to use available resources in the most effective way possible to obtain estimates that are as precise and accurate as possible. This project will be completed by Marianne McClure, in the CRITFC offices and throughout the fishing areas, in coordination with tribal staff implementing catch sampling programs.