2005-012-00

Sockeye Smolt Program

The following Project Summary for Project # 2007-402-00 is a consolidation of five previous stand alone Projects related to the Snake River sockeye salmon captive broodstock program. Previous Project #’s are listed in parenthesis for reference to previous years. Recovery efforts are collaborative in nature and directly involve the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (SBT), the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and the University of Idaho (U of I). IDFG acts as the lead agency for the project and maintains the primary broodstock facility in Eagle, Idaho and provides fish monitoring and evaluation support (Project no. 199107200). Fish culture responsibilities are shared by NOAA Fisheries (Project no. 199204000) and ODFW (Project no. 200501200). The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes provide habitat support for the project and also share fish monitoring and evaluation responsibility for the program (Project no. 199107100). Through FY06, the U of I provided genetic support for the program (199009300). Beginning in FY07, this responsibility was assumed by the IDFG.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon Captive Broodstock Program (Project No. 199107200). Idaho Department of Fish and Game is maintaining captive broodstocks of ESA-listed endangered Redfish Lake sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to protect and enhance the population. IDFG also provides monitoring and evaluation responsibilities in the Stanley Basin. Kokanee populations are evaluated in Pettit, Alturas, and Redfish lakes through trawling and creel surveys. Sockeye smolts out-migrating from Redfish L. are monitored at a weir located on Redfish Lake Cr. The Redfish Lake Cr weir is also used to collect returning anadromous adults. Bull trout populations are monitored in Redfish and Alturas lake tributaries. Starting in FY07, IDFG will also take on the genetic monitoring responsibilities for this program (previously performed by U of I Project No. 199009300). The genetics portion of the IDFG contract will: comprehensively identify the genetic structure of Redfish Lake O. nerka, provide long-term information about the genetic identity of returning anadromous sockeye, define the relatedness of populations of O. nerka in the Columbia Basin, and provide information to monitor the change or loss of genetic biodiversity among O. nerka populations throughout the Columbia Basin and in particular, endangered populations in Redfish Lake, Idaho. The DNA methods used to examine sockeye populations have been widely used and can be compared directly with other ongoing or collateral genetic work.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon Captive Broodstock Rearing and Research (Project No. 199204000). NOAA Fisheries maintains a captive broodstock of ESA-listed endangered Redfish L. sockeye salmon (O. nerka). NOAA Fisheries rears fish full-term to adult in freshwater, or from smolt to adult in pumped, filtered, and UV-sterilized seawater. Spawning protocols are approved by SBSTOC members and are designed to maximize genetic diversity. Pre-spawning adults, eyed eggs, and juveniles are returned to Idaho to aid recovery efforts.

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Snake River Sockeye Salmon Habitat and Limnological Research (Project No. 199107100). Evaluates nursery lake habitat conditions encountered by juvenile sockeye salmon during their freshwater rearing phase. Physical and biological parameters are monitored in four Sawtooth Valley lakes. Limnological data are used to develop estimates of sockeye salmon carrying capacities for each lake. Background kokanee biomass estimates are developed using hydroacoustic technology. This information, along with limnological data, are evaluated prior to developing annual stocking recommendations for hatchery-produced sockeye salmon. Decisions to add nutrients to sockeye salmon nursery lakes are made annually and are based on limnological and kokanee biomass data. This project also shares monitoring and evaluation responsibility for hatchery-produced juvenile sockeye planted in Pettit and Alturas lakes and conducts intensive fish community investigations in Pettit lake to evaluate competition between hatchery rainbow trout and reintroduced sockeye salmon.

University of Idaho Genetic Analysis of Oncorhynchus Nerka (Project No. 199009300). Starting in FY07 genetic responsibilities have been incorporated in the IDFG contract.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (Project No. 200501200).
The ODFW Oxbow FH is currently being modified to accommodate the rearing of up to 150,000 Snake River sockeye salmon smolts. Eyed-eggs produced at the IDFG Eagle FH and the NOAA Burley Creek FH in Washington State will supply the Oxbow FH program. All smolts produced at the Oxbow FH will be released in receiving waters in the Sawtooth Valley of Idaho.

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2006

2007

Gregory Baesler (Inactive)

Closed - Project Status Report

Province	Subbasin	%
Mountain Snake	Salmon	100.00%

Artificial Production

Supplementation

Anadromous: 100.0%   Resident: 0.0%   Wildlife: 0.0%

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