Strength in the Science.


At CAMF, we rely on cutting-edge research to guide sustainable salmon management in Alaska's waters. Through partnerships with scientific institutions, we advocate for the integration of crucial findings into regulatory decisions, ensuring a prosperous future for our fisheries.

Research

Research


WASSIP is a comprehensive initiative aimed at tracking and managing salmon populations in the waters of western Alaska. It utilizes a combination of genetic analysis, tagging, and other methods to differentiate between various salmon stocks, such as those from different rivers or regions. By accurately identifying and monitoring these stocks, WASSIP helps fisheries managers make informed decisions to ensure sustainable harvesting practices and preserve the health of salmon populations in the region.

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Alaska Department Of Fish and Game
2012

This research document examines the impact of sea surface temperatures (SST) on sockeye salmon catch rates in the June south Alaska Peninsula fishery from 1975 to 2008. It reveals correlations between catch per unit effort (CPUE) and winter and spring SST, indicating shifting fishing patterns influenced by warming temperatures in the Bering Sea. The study highlights the changing dynamics of salmon populations and their implications for fisheries management in western Alaska.

Patrick C. Martin
2009

This report details a study aimed at estimating stock-specific harvests in the South Alaska Peninsula commercial salmon fishery from 2022 to 2026. Samples collected from June to August 2022 were analyzed for genetic, age, and size compositions, with a focus on chum salmon. The study found that the Asia group was the largest contributor to the total harvest, followed by regions such as East of Kodiak and Coastal Western Alaska. These findings provide valuable insights into stock-specific harvests and will inform fishery management decisions in the South Alaska Peninsula area.

Tyler H. Dann, Heather A. Hoyt, Elizabeth M. Lee, Elisabeth K.C. Fox, M. Birch Foster
January 2023

This study investigates the genetic structure of Western Alaskan summer-run chum salmon populations. Despite distant locations, low genetic divergence is attributed to past physical connections during the Holocene Thermal Maximum, facilitating gene flow. The findings challenge traditional explanations and provide insights into the evolutionary history of chum salmon in western Alaska.

Michael R. Garvin, Christine M. Kondzela, Patrick C. Martin, et al.
June 2013

In Becharof Lake, a positive correlation exists between the total number of sockeye salmon produced by brood years and the proportion of older holdover parr in subsequent brood years. This suggests density-dependent effects, where high numbers of parr reduce food availability for fry in later years, leading to a higher proportion of older parr. Large spawning escapements may impact Becharof Lake's rearing capacity, potentially reducing smolt production and adult sockeye salmon returns to the Egegik River.

Patrick C. Martin and Denby S. Lloyd
Summer 1996

An algebraic model allows comparison of catch and harvest rate changes in fisheries targeting the same stock, even without detailed stock composition estimates. It shows that mixed stock fisheries are less affected by changes in the targeted stock's abundance compared to single stock fisheries. This suggests varying management needs based on the stock's importance to each fishery.

Denby S. Lloyd
Summer 1996

CAMF Documents


A powerpoint presentation presented at the Board of Fish meeting in 2007, making a case for the mixing of salmon stocks during their ocean years and the little impact that South Unimak has on those fish.

Tom Wooding
2007

UW Fisheries Research Institute


Salmon fisheries on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula have targeted sockeye and chum salmon since the early 1900s. Most sockeye come from non-local stocks bound for Bristol Bay. Quotas, set since the 1970s, often fall short of forecasts. Concerns persist about impacts on Bristol Bay stocks, prompting calls for further reductions. Efforts to reduce chum salmon catches aim to avoid intercepting fall chums from the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim region. Recent increases in salmon catches in the North Peninsula raise questions about non-local stock status. Management of the False Pass fishery assumes most salmon are bound elsewhere, leading to catch reductions if problems are seen in other fisheries. However, the economic and biological impacts of such decisions need evaluation.

Donald E. Rogers
1986

Interception of migratory salmon by distant-water fisheries can disrupt local fisheries and management efforts. In the 1950s, Japan's high seas salmon fishing raised concerns over interceptions of US and USSR stocks. Despite restrictions, interceptions, especially of Yukon chinook salmon, remained high. This report focuses on estimating Yukon River chinook interceptions by Japanese fisheries and reviews the status of Yukon chum salmon interceptions.

Donald E. Rogers
1987

In 1987, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game conducted a tagging study to understand the stock composition and migration timing of sockeye and chum salmon in the South Peninsula June fishery. Chum salmon catches increased in the 1980s, prompting the need to assess their vulnerability. The study found a mix of chum salmon stocks, with Yukon fall chum salmon being the least vulnerable. Despite concerns, a chum salmon cap was imposed on the fishery, resulting in unintended consequences for sockeye salmon catches. Bristol Bay sockeye dominated catches, with varying run timings observed. The report aims to examine major sockeye salmon stock compositions and assess quota periods for the June fisheries to optimize exploitation rates. Specifically, it aims to estimate daily runs, stock compositions, travel times, and compare contributing stock timings with catches in the False Pass fishery.

Donald E. Rogers
1990

Salmon fisheries on the north side of the Alaska Peninsula have operated annually since the early 1900s. Initially, there was debate about the origin of sockeye catches, with some suggesting they were Bristol Bay stocks. Tagging experiments showed most Bristol Bay sockeye migrate offshore, but recent catches have renewed the controversy. While tagging experiments are costly, other methods like scale pattern analysis can help determine origins. This report examines recent changes in North Peninsula runs and fisheries, describes Bristol Bay sockeye migrations, and estimates their vulnerability to North Peninsula fisheries. Age compositions in North Peninsula catches are compared with offshore samples and Bristol Bay catches to identify similarities.

Donald E. Rogers
1995

This report presents additional observations from 1995 and the start of a study on North Peninsula sockeye productivity.

Donald E. Rogers
1996

The south side of the Alaska Peninsula hosts the False Pass fishery, known for controversy since its start. Most sockeye salmon caught there head to Bristol Bay, with contributions from other regions. Managed conservatively, an uptick in sockeye catch led to more non-local chum salmon caught. Tagging showed Asian stocks as significant chum contributors. Concerns prompted a chum salmon cap in 1986, causing fishery closures in some years. Our focus is on assessing changes in chum salmon abundance, particularly Asian stocks. Recent observations hint at poorly conditioned chum salmon, possibly from Japanese hatcheries. This year, we aim to estimate chum salmon runs, check for scale holes in the catch, and analyze chum salmon condition for bimodality.

Donald E. Rogers
1993

The main focus in 1994 was to assess changes in chum salmon abundance, especially regarding the potential increase in Asian chum salmon contributions. Recent observations noted chum salmon with poor condition, possibly originating from Japanese hatcheries. The presence of scale holes unique to Asian stocks was also considered in evaluating the occurrence of Asian chum salmon in the False Pass fishery. Key objectives for the year included updating chum salmon run estimates, examining scale hole incidence in the catch, and analyzing chum salmon condition distributions.

Donald E. Rogers
1995

The main focus in 1995 was to assess year-to-year changes in chum salmon abundance, particularly examining the abundance in 1987 and the possible increase in Asian chum salmon contributions. Observations of chum salmon with poor condition believed to originate from Japanese hatcheries raise concerns. Specific objectives for 1995 included updating estimates of chum salmon runs, measuring the incidence of scale holes in the catch, and examining frequency distributions of chum salmon condition factors.

Donald E. Rogers
1996

The report summarizes findings from investigations conducted in 1996, primarily involving the addition of data to existing datasets, with new observations made at Bear Lake to describe the biological characteristics of early and late runs and rearing conditions in the lake. The collected data are expected to enhance understanding of Bear Lake sockeye population dynamics and the productivity of the system itself.

Donald E. Rogers
1997

This report presents findings from investigations conducted in 1997, primarily involving the addition of data to existing datasets. New observations were made at Bear Lake, focusing on the biological characteristics of early and late runs and rearing conditions in the lake. The collected data are expected to enhance understanding of Bear Lake sockeye population dynamics and the productivity of the system.

Donald E. Rogers, K. Ramstad
1997

This report summarizes the results of investigations in 1998, primarily involving the addition of data to existing datasets. However, recent studies of the North Peninsula stocks were completed in 1998 as Master of Science theses and distributed to sponsors separately.

Donald E. Rogers, K. Ramstad
1999

This report summarizes the results of investigations in 1999, primarily involving the addition of data to existing datasets. However, recent studies of the North Peninsula stocks were completed in 1998 as Master of Science theses and distributed to sponsors separately. Additionally, a new study was initiated in Bear Lake in 1999.

Ray W. Hillborn, Donald E. Rogers, C. Boatright
2000

This report summarizes the findings of investigations conducted in 2000. While most of the work involved adding to existing datasets, recent studies of North Peninsula stocks by Ramstad (1998) and Witteveen (1998) were followed by a new study of the spawning populations in Bear Lake.

Donald E. Rogers, C. Boatright
2001

This report summarizes the results of investigations in 2001. While most of the work involved adding to existing datasets, the lack of fishing activity in 2001 precluded catch sampling. Recent studies of North Peninsula stocks by Ramstad (1998) and Witteveen (1998) were followed by a new study of the spawning populations in Bear Lake.

Donald E. Rogers, C. Boatright
2002