John Joyce
Fishery Research Biologist
(907) 789-6618
John.Joyce@noaa.gov

The MSI program has conducted basic enhancement research on chinook salmon at Little Port Walter (LPW) since 1976. Chinook salmon brood stocks from the Unuk, Chickamin, and King Salmon Rivers in Southeast Alaska have been utilized in experiments designed to optimize the enhancement of chinook salmon for sport and commercial fisheries. This research was needed to help increase chinook salmon hatchery production in Southeast Alaska in the face of declining quotas to Alaska fisherman caused by:

1. The depressed population levels of wild chinook salmon stocks of the Pacific Northwest listed as threatened or endangered by NMFS Northwest Region under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), or
   
2. Restrictions on the harvest of wild chinook salmon implemented under the US/Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty

Early experiments focused on basic biological parameters such as the effects of size/age/release date of smolts on marine survival and fishery contributions. The influences of parental age and freshwater growth on offspring age and size at maturity have also been investigated.  Research on the effect of alternative release strategies on marine survival was conducted by using the NOAA ship John N. Cobb to transport and release salmon smolts in remote saltwater locations away from freshwater influence inside LPW (see photo above).

The LPW staff has also developed innovative culture techniques such as vertical freshwater raceways which allow freshwater culturing of salmon in a protected marine environment, and barriered-netpens for overwintering of juvenile salmon. Utilization of these innovations by regional and non-profit aquaculture companies such as:

Northern Southeast Alaska Aquaculture Organization, Inc. (NSRAA)

Southern Southeast Alaska Aquaculture Organization, Inc. (SSRAA)

Douglas Island Pink and Chum, Inc. (DIPAC)

has helped increase the production of chinook and coho salmon in Southeast Alaska for the benefit of sport and commercial fishermen.