2012 Yukon River Salmon Research Management Projects

archived

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) receives funds for implementation of the Yukon River Salmon Agreement with Canada which was reached in March 2001. The Yukon River Salmon Act of 2000 authorizes funds for implementation of the Agreement including funds for cooperative research and management projects on the Alaska portion of the Yukon River. The Service administers these funds through financial assistance on a competitive basis for projects/studies that advance the scientific community�s understanding and management of Chinook and chum salmon in the Yukon River of Alaska. The following is a request for initial project proposals of one year in length addressing these needs and priorities listed below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop projects that incorporate local capacity with members of Yukon River communities in which they may be working. Coordinating projects with state and federal regulatory agencies is also recommended, but not mandatory. Following are the specific priorities/categories laid out by the U.S. Delegation of the Panel for the 2012 Research and Management fund. The four categories will be used as evaluation criteria and are ranked in descending order of importance listed from highest to lowest: Assess and achieve fishery management objectives: a) Develop and expand the genetic baseline for Yukon salmon stocks. b) Identify stock composition of salmon runs through genetic stock identification. c) Develop and/or improve in-season run size and stock specific estimates at the mouth of the Yukon River. d) Monitor salmon escapements by Alaskan Geographic Units. e) Develop or incorporate new methodologies and/or approaches to improve management and research capability. f) Refine in-season border passage assessment/estimates. Assess, conserve and restore salmon habitats: a) Habitat monitoring. b) Identify and characterize salmon spawning and rearing habitats. c) Identify and evaluate potential impacts to habitat. d) Identify and monitor key salmon spawning streams/areas (index streams). e) Identify and implement restoration opportunities. Improve understanding of salmon biology and ecology: a) Develop scientifically-based biological escapement goals for Canadian-origin salmon. b) Develop population estimates for Yukon River salmon stocks. c) Assessment of the quality of escapements (e.g., age/size/sex; health). d) Investigate relationships between salmon and their physical environment. e) Investigate relationships between salmon and other organisms. Build and maintain public support of, and meaningful participation in, salmon resource management. a) Develop mutual understandings between agencies and the public, best demonstrated by a third party. b) Build and maintain community capacity. c) Encourage stewardship of the resource. d) Promote public values of the salmon resource. For more information contact: Aaron Martin 101 12th Av., Room 110 Fairbanks, AK. 99701. Phone: 907- 455-1870 Fax: 907-456-0418 Email: FAIR_USRM@fws.gov

High