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Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program
SOW Report
Contract 54545: 2003-009-00 EXP CANADA-USA SHELF PROJECT (CDFO)
Project Number:
Title:
Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study
BPA PM:
Stage:
Closed
Area:
Province Subbasin %
Ocean - 100.00%
Contract Number:
54545
Contract Title:
2003-009-00 EXP CANADA-USA SHELF PROJECT (CDFO)
Contract Continuation:
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50871: 200300900 EXP CANADA-USA SHELF PROJECT (CDFO)
  • 59076: 2003-009-00 EXP CANADA-USA SHELF PROJECT (CDFO)
Contract Status:
History
Contract Description:
Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study
Statement of Work and Budget FY2012

BPA Project Number:  2003-009-00
BPA Project Title: Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study
FY07 Contract Number:  29753
FY08 Contract Number:  34892
FY09 Contract Number:  39197
FY10 Contract Number:  44358
FY11 Contract Number:  50871
FY12 CR:  202620

Contract Title: PI 2003-009-00 Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study  
Performance/Budget Period: October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012

The primary objective of the Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study is to assess the effects of climate change and ocean conditions on the marine survival and production of Columbia River Basin salmon.  Documenting the extent of changes in growth, along with changes in physical features of the ocean will help to improve our understanding of how cl... imatic events such as El Niño in the ocean can impact important fish resources.  This research is essential to fishery managers that wish to establish harvest strategies and conservation measures for the sustainable use of Columbia River salmon, as well as to assess the success of mitigation measures undertaken in the Columbia River Basin in the face of a changing ocean and climate.

The working hypothesis of this research is that the marine survival of salmon is mediated by the effects of ocean conditions on salmon growth during their first year at sea.  In particular, Columbia River salmon experiencing faster growth are expected to have lower mortality.  Similarly, Columbia River salmon that accumulate higher energy and lipid reserves prior to the onset of winter are expected to exhibit lower overwinter mortality than those in poor conditions.  In the marine environment, the bioenergetics processes regulating salmon growth may vary in relation to changes in temperature, ocean productivity, and prey community structure, and may be affected by changes in ocean circulation and climate.  More specifically, large-scale shifts in atmospheric circulation may affect ocean productivity through changes in mixed-layer depth, horizontal transport of nutrients, and upwelling, while prey community composition may vary in response to changes in horizontal transport.

This project is divided into three components:

1) Research: An assessment of the factors affecting the marine survival of Columbia River salmon, which involves identifying where these fish are in the marine environment at different time of the year, estimate their growth rates, and their bioenergetics response to changing ocean conditions and climate. Results from this research are disseminated through BPA annual reports, data reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations at national and international workshop and conferences.

2) Monitoring: Measurements of the ocean conditions experienced by Columbia River salmon off the coast of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, as well as their overall health. This information required to address all the components of this project. Data collected in this project stored in databases located at Fisheries and Oceans Canada and available upon request.

3) Evaluation: Development of forecasting models of run size for Columbia River salmon due to changing ocean conditions. This serves as a basis to evaluate the potential success (or failure) of recovery/mitigation effort and to anticipate how Columbia River salmon will respond to climate change. This initiative requires information generated from the first two components of the project.

To date our research indicates that Columbia River spring Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and sockeye salmon generally undertake a rapid northward migration that quickly brings them well beyond the Columbia River Estuary and Plume to expose them to ocean conditions prevailing on the west coast of British Columbia, and subsequently to those in Alaska.  In contrast, Columbia River summer and fall Chinook salmon generally remain in coastal waters ranging from the northern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia down to the Columbia River, and are thus affected by ocean conditions in the northern California Current System.  Our research further shows that the marine survival and adult returns of Columbia River summer and fall Chinook salmon and sockeye salmon are strongly influenced by growth conditions and plankton assemblages that prevail off the west coast of Vancouver Island.  As a result, a series of simple models has been developed as part of the Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study that can be used to accurately forecast the marine survival and adult returns of these stocks 1-2 years prior to their return to the Columbia River.  These models may also be used by managers to partition the effects associated with changes in freshwater events such as dam operations and freshwater restoration from those solely due to changing ocean conditions and climate.

For FY12 and beyond, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (CDFO) plans to continue developing and evaluating these forecasting models through the Canada-USA Salmon Shelf Survival Study by conducting trawl surveys off British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, and monitoring the ocean conditions experienced by juvenile Columbia River salmon in these regions.  Special attention will be given to Columbia River spring Chinook salmon and Snake River sockeye salmon, as current models fail to predict the return of these stocks.  It is critically important that the stability of models developed by CDFO are assessed over time, as relationship that are based on relatively short-term time series, such as those developed in this project, commonly break apart over time. The migratory behavior of Columbia River coho salmon will also be examined in closer details in FY11, as CDFO is currently in the process of updating the coho DNA baseline, which proved to be problematic in previous years especially for stocks originating from Washington State and Northern British Columbia. A formal evaluation of the baseline will first be performed with fish of known origin.

The objectives of this research will be achieved by (1) collecting juvenile salmon and oceanographic data from the west coast of Vancouver Island to southeast Alaska during spring/summer, fall, and winter, (2) assessing the growth and feeding conditions of juvenile salmon collected from these areas, (3) assessing the ocean productivity of these areas, (4) reconstructing the migration of specific stocks using DNA analyses, and (5) developing and testing forecasting models of run size for Columbia River salmon. These areas are frequently utilized by juvenile Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and sockeye salmon from the Columbia River during their first years in the ocean. To obtain a broader perspective of the effects of ocean conditions on juvenile salmon, this research will be coordinated with concomitant sampling programs conducted by NOAA Fisheries from California to Washington and in Alaska (BPA project 1998-014-00) as well as the POST program (BPA project 2003-114-00). In particular, samples will be shared among laboratories to enhance our understanding of the processes limiting the production of Columbia River salmon in the marine environment, to more effectively use the expertise of the research centers studying the marine life of salmon, to avoid duplication of effort, and to promote international cooperation on highly migratory species that are co-managed by Canada and USA. The results of this research will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and data reports, and will be presented at national and international conferences.

The work elements for this project fall into 5 different objectives:

Objective 1 - Monitoring
WE C: Collect/Genera/Validate Field and Lab Data - Ocean Surveys of Marine Conditions and Juvenile Salmon
WE D: Collect/Genera/Validate Field and Lab Data - Oceanography
WE E: Collect/Genera/Validate Field and Lab Data - Biological Attributes of Juvenile Salmon

Objective 2 - Data analysis
WE F: Analyze/Interpret Data - Nutrient Limitations
WE G: Analyze/Interpret Data - Ocean Ecology of Salmon
WE H: Analyze/Interpret Data - Marine Mortality of Salmon

Objective 3 - Communication and Publication
WE I: Disseminate Raw and Summary Data - Data Reports
WE J: Produce/Submit Scientific Report Findings - Primary Publications
WE K: Disseminate Raw and Summary Data - Presentation at Scientific Conferences

Objective 4 - Coordination
WE L: Coordination - USA-Canada Collaboration

Objective 5 - Administrative
WE A: Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation - Environmental Compliance for Sampling in USA Waters
WE B: Manage and Administer Projects - Accrual Estimates
WE M: Produce Status Report - Quarterly Reports via Pisces
WE N: Produce Annual Report - Annual Report
  
Account Type(s):
Expense
Contract Start Date:
10/01/2011
Contract End Date:
09/30/2012
Current Contract Value:
$460,075
Expenditures:
$460,075

* Expenditures data includes accruals and are based on data through 31-Mar-2025.

BPA COR:
Env. Compliance Lead:
Work Order Task(s):
Contract Type:
Contract (IGC)
Pricing Method:
Cost Reimbursement (CNF)
MarkerMarkerMarker
3 m
10 ft
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Full Name Organization Write Permission Contact Role Email Work Phone
Sandra Ackley Bonneville Power Administration Yes Env. Compliance Lead sjackley@bpa.gov (503) 230-3824
Anne Creason Bonneville Power Administration Yes COR amcreason@bpa.gov (503) 230-3859
Rosemary Mazaika Bonneville Power Administration Yes F&W Approver rxmazaika@bpa.gov (503) 230-5869
Mark Saunders Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans No Supervisor mark.saunders@dfo-mpo.gc.ca (250) 756-7145
Marc Trudel Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans Yes Contract Manager marc.trudel@dfo-mpo.gc.ca (250) 756-7049
Kristi Van Leuven Bonneville Power Administration Yes Contracting Officer kjvleuven@bpa.gov (503) 230-3605


Viewing 15 of 15 Work Statement Elements
Sort Order
WSEV ID
WE ID
Work Element Name
Title
Description
WSE Effective Budget
% of Total WSE Effective Budget
WSE Start
WSE End
A89160165Produce Environmental Compliance DocumentationEnvironmental compliance for sampling in USA watersPermit applications to NOAA Fisheries and to the Alaska Department of Fish and Games to collect juvenile salmon in Alaskan waters.$2,5000.54%10/01/201109/15/2012
B89161119Manage and Administer ProjectsProject managementManage and administer project including prepare and submit to BPA accrual exercise in September 2012.$2,5000.54%09/01/201209/15/2012
C89162157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataOcean surveys of marine conditions and juvenile salmonCollect juvenile salmon and oceanographic data in coastal regions extending from the west coast of Vancouver Island to southeast Alaska and inshore fjord systems. Three surveys are conducted each year onboard the CCGS W.E. Ricker or chartered vessels as part of the Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study to collect juvenile salmon and associated fish community, water samples for nutrient and phytoplankton analyzes, zooplankton, and oceanographic data: 1) a summer (June-July) survey to assess the ocean conditions experienced by juvenile salmon during the growing season, 2) a fall (October-November) survey to determine the growth rates of resident stocks, and 3) a winter (February-March) survey to measure energy and lipid depletion during winter and the significance of overwinter mortality. Sampling conducted in Canadian waters has no U.S. ESA requirements.$256,75055.81%10/01/201109/30/2012
D89163157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataOceanographyProvide a physical, chemical, and biological characterization of the ocean environment encountered by juvenile salmon from the west coast of Vancouver Island to southeast Alaska. Oceanographic data will be collected to test the theory that changes in water column stability and prey quality are driving the differential productivity of northern and southern regions of the Gulf of Alaska, and to predict how changes in climate and ocean conditions will affect the recruitment success of Columbia River salmon. These analyses are performed in Canadian government laboratories and, therefore, there are no ESA requirements.$33,8257.35%10/01/201109/30/2012
E89164157Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab DataBiological attributes of juvenile salmonAssess the stock of origin, the biological and physiological status of juvenile salmon in northern and southern regions of the Gulf of Alaska. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the declines in the marine survival of Columbia River salmon. Although the specific mechanism affecting the marine survival of salmon differs among these hypotheses, they generally indicate that lower marine survival of Pacific salmon is associated with lower marine growth during their first year at sea. To evaluate these hypotheses, it is thus necessary to: 1) estimate growth rates of Columbia River salmon, 2) measure the ocean conditions that they experience, and 3) assess how ocean conditions affect their growth, and by extension, their survival. The fate of individual populations may thus depend on where they migrate in the ocean and the amount of time they spend in different regions of the ocean. Hence, an understanding of stock specific migration behavior is required to determine how climate and ocean conditions regulate the production of Columbia River salmon. These analyses are performed in Canadian government laboratories and therefore there are no ESA requirements.$69,00015.00%10/01/201109/30/2012
F89165162Analyze/Interpret DataOcean productionAnalyze the extent of nutrient limitation resulting from changes in mixed-layer depth, decreasing salinity, and increasing temperature from the 1990s through 2011/2012, as well as changes in plankton community and quality resulting from changes in ocean circulation. The La Niña conditions observed in FY11 are expected to subside in FY12 (http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html). The shift between El Niño and La Niña events provide environmental contrasts necessary to evaluate the performance of marine survival and run size models developed under the Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study for Columbia River salmon, and serve as a natural experiment to predict how a warming of the ocean resulting from climate change will affect the production of Columbia River salmon.$16,0003.48%10/01/201109/30/2012
G89166162Analyze/Interpret DataOcean ecology of salmonAnalysis of the biological and physiological status of juvenile salmon in northern and southern regions of the Gulf of Alaska, and assessment of the effects of climate and ocean conditions on the growth and production of Columbia River salmon. The impact of the recent El Niño and La Niña events on the distribution, migration, abundance, feeding habits, and growth will be closely examined in FY12 in collaboration with the NOAA Fisheries Plume Study (BPA project # 1998-014-00) and the POST program (BPA project # 2003-114-00). These El Niño events provide a unique opportunity to assess the performance of Columbia River salmon in a warmer and changing ocean.$16,0003.48%10/01/201109/30/2012
H89167162Analyze/Interpret DataMarine mortality of salmonExamine the relationship between the marine survival of Pacific salmon and the biological attributes of juvenile salmon and ocean conditions collected during the ocean surveys. These models will also serve as a control to evaluate the performance of mitigation activities conducted in the Columbia River Basin. Run size and marine survival models have been developed under the Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study for Columbia River summer/fall Chinook salmon and coho salmon in FY08-FY11. It is necessary to evaluate the performance of the models, as they may break apart over time, especially when climate and ocean conditions are changing, and during El Niño events. Special attention will also be given to Columbia River spring Chinook salmon and Snake River sockeye salmon, as current models fail to predict the return of these stocks.$16,0003.48%11/15/201109/30/2012
I89168161Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and ResultsData reportsProduce data reports for the ocean surveys conducted in FY10-FY12. These reports are a scientific legacy for the work conducted under the Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study. It is also a necessary precaution to ensure that paper versions of the original data collected as part of this project are preserved for future generations, especially with constantly changing electronic data storage mediums.$2,0000.43%06/01/201209/15/2012
J89169183Produce Journal ArticlePrimary publicationsProduce and submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals on the environmental conditions experienced by juvenile salmon in the ocean, salmon bioenergetics and ecology.$18,0003.91%10/01/201109/30/2012
K89170161Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and ResultsPresentation at scientific conferencesPresentation of significant results from work performed under the contract for fiscal year FY08-FY12 on the ocean ecology of juvenile salmon at the American Fisheries Society Annual Symposium, September 2012, or other suitable forum to disseminate results obtained in this project.$7,0001.52%09/01/201209/25/2012
L89171161Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and ResultsUSA-Canada collaborationDevelop an assessment of the regions of good or poor growth and survival for juvenile salmon with NOAA Fisheries scientists. Samples collected in previous surveys are shared among laboratories throughout the year to enhance our understanding of the processes limiting the production of Columbia River salmon in the marine environment, to more effectively use the expertise of the research centers studying the marine life of salmon, to avoid duplication of efforts, and to promote international cooperation on highly migratory species that are co-managed by Canada and USA. CDFO and NOAA Fisheries scientists participate at an annual workshop dedicated to the ocean ecology of juvenile salmon to exchange new ideas, report recent observations, and plan research activities among laboratories.$5,0001.09%11/01/201109/01/2012
M90708141Produce Other ReportsProduce joint project synthesis reportCoordinate with other projects and BPA/Council/ISRP to produce a synthesis report by the end of the 2011 calendar year.$13,5002.93%10/01/201106/30/2012
N89159185Produce CBFish Status ReportPeriodic Status Reports for BPAThe Contractor shall report on the status of milestones and deliverables in Pisces. Reports shall be completed either monthly or quarterly as determined by the BPA COTR. Additionally, when indicating a deliverable milestone as COMPLETE, the contractor shall provide metrics and the final location (latitude and longitude) prior to submitting the report to the BPA COTR.$00.00%01/01/201209/30/2012
O89172132Produce Progress (Annual) ReportProduce annual reportFY11 FINAL ANNUAL REPORT: Produce and submit to BPA COTR a final annual report that summarizes the work accomplished in FY11 contracting period (FY11 contracting period is Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2011). The final annual report for FY11 is due on Dec. 31, 2011. The draft annual report for FY11 was included in FY10 SOW and is due Sept. 30, 2011. FY12 DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT: Produce and submit to BPA COTR a draft annual report that summarizes the work accomplished in FY12 contracting period (FY12 contracting period is Oct. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2012). The final annual report for FY12 will be included in the FY13 SOW and will be due Dec. 31, 2012. Reports should include a summary and conclusions of the effects of ocean conditions on the growth of juvenile salmon. The marine distribution and migration of juvenile salmon will be discussed.$2,0000.43%10/15/201109/28/2012
      
$460,075
   

Deliverable Title WSE Sort Letter, Number, Title Start End Concluded
Permits to sample is USA waters-- Deliver to BPA EC Lead A: 165. Environmental compliance for sampling in USA waters 09/15/2012 09/15/2012
Management & administration of project B: 119. Project management 09/15/2012 09/15/2012
Conduct surveys to Collect Data Samples C: 157. Ocean surveys of marine conditions and juvenile salmon 08/15/2012 08/15/2012
Collect baseline oceanographic data D: 157. Oceanography 09/15/2012 09/15/2012
Collect and assess biological data E: 157. Biological attributes of juvenile salmon 09/15/2012 09/15/2012
Analyze ocean production data F: 162. Ocean production 09/15/2012 09/15/2012
Analyze data on feeding, migration and energy utilization of juvenile salmon G: 162. Ocean ecology of salmon 09/15/2012 09/15/2012
Assessment of factors affecting Columbia River salmon H: 162. Marine mortality of salmon 09/15/2012 09/15/2012
Produce data reports I: 161. Data reports 09/15/2012 09/15/2012
Produce and submit 3 manuscripts J: 183. Primary publications 09/30/2012 09/30/2012
Presentation of significant results K: 161. Presentation at scientific conferences 09/25/2012 09/25/2012
Coordinate data exchange and collaboration L: 161. USA-Canada collaboration 09/01/2012 09/01/2012
Ocean projects' synthesis report M: 141. Produce joint project synthesis report 01/17/2012 01/19/2012
Submit Final FY11 and Draft FY12 Annual reports O: 132. Produce annual report 09/28/2012 09/28/2012

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Primary Focal Species Work Statement Elements
Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) - All Populations
  • 1 instance of WE 183 Produce Journal Article
  • 3 instances of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
  • 3 instances of WE 161 Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results
  • 3 instances of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data
Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) - Lower Columbia River ESU (Threatened)
  • 1 instance of WE 183 Produce Journal Article
  • 3 instances of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
  • 3 instances of WE 161 Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results
  • 3 instances of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data
Coho (O. kisutch) - Unspecified Population
  • 1 instance of WE 183 Produce Journal Article
  • 3 instances of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
  • 3 instances of WE 161 Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results
  • 3 instances of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data
Sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka) - All Populations
  • 1 instance of WE 183 Produce Journal Article
  • 2 instances of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
  • 3 instances of WE 161 Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results
  • 3 instances of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data

Sort WE ID WE Title NEPA NOAA USFWS NHPA Has Provisions Inadvertent Discovery Completed
A 165 Environmental compliance for sampling in USA waters 10/01/2011
B 119 Project management 10/01/2011
C 157 Ocean surveys of marine conditions and juvenile salmon 10/01/2011
D 157 Oceanography 10/01/2011
E 157 Biological attributes of juvenile salmon 10/01/2011
F 162 Ocean production 10/01/2011
G 162 Ocean ecology of salmon 10/01/2011
H 162 Marine mortality of salmon 10/01/2011
I 161 Data reports 10/01/2011
J 183 Primary publications 10/01/2011
K 161 Presentation at scientific conferences 10/01/2011
L 161 USA-Canada collaboration 10/01/2011
M 141 Produce joint project synthesis report 10/01/2011
N 185 Periodic Status Reports for BPA 10/01/2011
O 132 Produce annual report 10/01/2011