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Gary M. Sonnevi Project Leader

ANNUAL REPORT

FISCAL YEAR ~

Kenai Fishery Resource Office Station

Kenai, Alaska City, state

steve Rid~' i!~ Assistant Regional Director

Cover Photo:

The beginning or the end of the Circle of Life Dead chum salmon

(Photo by John Tobin)

Report by Ken Harper

" t

i.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES. • • • • • • . . • • • • • . • • . • • . • • • . • . • . . • • • • . . • . . . . . • • . • iii

LIST OF FIGURES. • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • . • . • • • • . . . . . • • • . . . . . iii

I. NARRATIVE. • . • • • • • . • • • • • • . • • • . • • • • • • • • . • . • • • • • . . • . . • • . • • • • . . . 1

INTRODUCTION. • • • • • • • . . • • • • . • • . • . • • • . • • • • . . . . • . • . • . . • . . . . . • • . 2

STATION OPERATIONS. • • . . . . • . • • • • • . . . . . . • • • • • . • . . • • • • . . . . . . . . . 4

Ayakulik River Chinook Salmon Creel Survey, Kodiak NWR ... 4

Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Escapements, Kuskokwim River Tributaries, Yukon Delta NWR •.•.......... 5

Kuskokwim River Tributary Weir, Yukon Delta NWR ........•. 6

Remote and Roadside Lake Surveys, Kenai NWR .............. 6

Hidden Lake Summer Creel Survey, Kenai NWR .•............. 8

Adak Island Fishery Surveys, Alaska Maritime NWR .•....... 8

Public Outreach. . • • • • • . . . • • • • • . • . • • . . . . . . • . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Planning. . . . . . . . . • • • • . . • • • • • • . . • • . . . . . • • . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Coordination and Technical Assistance ...•.•.............. 10

Official Visitors to the Kenai Fishery Resource Office in 1993 ......•••••....•••••......... 10

STATION CYCLICAL MAINTENANCE/CONSTRUCTION ..•................ 12

FUTURE OUTLOOK. • . • . . . • • • . • • • • • • • . • • • • • • . . . . • • • • • • . . • . • • • • . . . 13

I I . FORMS . • • . • . • . . . . • • . . . . . . • • • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • . • . . . . • • . . . . . • • • 16

Management Activities (Form 3-112) ..•.••••........•..•... 17

Operations/Maintenance Cost Data (Form 3-110) ...•......•• 18

Report of Station Personnel (Form 3-114) •••••...••....... 21

Public Relations (Form 3-172) .•••••...•••••...•.••••..... 23

i

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I I I. APPEND IX PHOTOGRAPHS. . • • • . • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • . • • • • • . • • • • • • • . • . . 2 4

1. Kenai Fishery Resource Office personnel. From left to right John Tobin, Ken Harper, Anne Barrett, Doug Palmer, Rich Capitan (Student conservation Association) John Crye, Meredee Lloyd (Student Conservation Association), Jeff Booth and Gary Sonnevil (Photo by John Tobin) •••••••.•..••••••••••••.• 25

2. Kenai Fishery Resource Office, Kenai Rotary Club volunteers and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge hosted local Challenge Alaska kids for a day of fishing during National Fishing Week (Photo by Jeff Booth) •• ••....•••••• _... • . • • • • • • • . . . . . • • • . • • • . • . . . . 2 6

3. Biological Technicians Abraham Lett and John Crye collecting genetic samples at the Tuluksak River fish weir. Mr. Lett, a local hire from the Village of Tuluksak, worked at the Tuluksak River weir for the majority of the summer (Photo by Duane Stevenson) • • • . • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . 2 7

4. Biological Technician John crye interviewing anglers on the Ayakulik River, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, 1993 (Photo by Jeff Booth) ••••••••.••••••..•••••••..... 28

5. Biological technician Brad Benter and Judd Scott (Student Conservation Association) sampling for fish on Adak Island in the Aleutian Island chain (Photo by Doug Palmer) ••..••••••••••..•••••••..•....••• 29

6. Jeff Booth presiding over one of the Pathways to Fishing stations. The Kenai Fishery Resource Office, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve teamed up to host the Pathways event (Photo by Gary Sonnevil) ...••••••••••.. 30

7. Region 7 boating safety trainees. preparing for boat handling exercises on the .Kenai River (Photo by Bill Bohman) •••••••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••••••.•.•• 31

8. Biological Technician John Tobin demonstrates a canoe roll in the Kenai River during the boating safety training session (Photo by Bill Bohman) •••••••• 32

..

LIST OF TABLES

1. Effort, catch and harvest of chinook salmon in the Ayakulik River sport fishery, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska •••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••• 5

LIST OF FIGURES

1. Location of the Kenai Fishery Resource Office, Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2. Cross section of the resistance board weir installed in the Tuluksak River, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska ••••••••••••.•••.••••• 7

3. Annual increase in sport fishing angler days, and number of salmon and other freshwater species harvested in Alaska (Mills, Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1993 ..... . _ .............................. 14

iii:

I. NARRATIVE

1

"

INTRODUCTION

The Kenai Fishery Resource Office, Kenai, Alaska was established in October 1971 as the Kenai Fishery Services field office with the following operational objectives: 1) to provide the Refuge Division with technical expertise on all matters relating to the aquatic resources on the Kenai National Moose Range; 2) to function in a liaison capacity with regard to State fishery operations within the Moose Range boundary; and 3) to augment State fishery investigations on the Moose Range through a free exchange of dialogue and data on all matters of mutual interest.

Over the years the name has changed from Kenai Fishery Services field office to Kenai Fishery Resources Station to Kenai Fishery Assistance Office, and now to the Kenai Fishery Resource Office. In 1983, the office was moved from the Locke Building in the city of Kenai to its present location in the Ridge Properties warehouse on Kalifornsky Beach Road between the cities of Kenai and Soldotna, Alaska (Figure 1). The full time staff has increased to a project leader, assistant project leader, two fishery biologists, and a secretary, plus 8-10 seasonal and volunteer workers. The area of responsibility has increased from the Kenai National Moose Range (enlarged and renamed the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980), to include the Kodiak, Yukon Delta, and Alaska Maritime. National Wildlife Refuges. These refuges have a combined total land mass that covers over 11.3 million hectares (27.9 millen acres), or nearly 113,960 square kilometers (44,000 square miles). Operational objectives have been molded to follow the Statement of Responsibilities and Roles of the Fishery Resources Program, in particular, to assist with management of fishery resources on Federal lands.

Major facilities include 193.3 square meters (2,060 square feet) of leased office and warehouse space, with an outside fenced storage area. The old Refuge headquarters site in Kenai provides bunkhouse and residence space for seasonal and permanent employees. A ten-bay garage at that location, shared with the National Park Service's Lake Clark Coastal District Office, is used for winter storage of boats,.vehicles and gear.

2

Kenai Fishery Resource Office

Figure 1. Location of the Kenai Fishery Resource Office, Alaska.

3

','.

STATION OPERATIONS

Kenai Fishery Resource Office personnel (Photo 1) were busy implementing fishery management plans on national wildlife refuges. Fishery data was collected to insure that commercial, sport .and subsistence harvests are not affecting .populations necessary to meet refuge purposes.

Fiscal Year ~993 field operations consisted of the following: A creel survey on the Ayakulik River, Kodiak NWR; a fish weir on the Tuluksak River to monitor salmon escapements on Yukon Delta NWR; lake surveys and a creel survey on Hidden Lake, Kenai NWR; and fishery surveys on Adak Island, Alaska Maritime NWR. In addition, the office was involved in the following public outreach and education programs: Adopt-A-Stream aquatic education program with Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School, National Fishing Week activities and a Pathways to Fishing activity. Biological Technicians Brad Benter'· John Crye, Heather Moore and John Tobin were hired to serve as field crew leaders for various projects. Abraham Lett, from the village of Tuluksak, was employed as a local hire biological technician. Student Conservation Association technicians were also used at the various field projects and in the public outreach programs.

Ayakulik River Chinook Salmon Creel Survey, Kodiak NWR

Public use on the Ayakulik River has increased in recent years and may be impacting the chinook salmon spawning population. Creel data collected on the chinook salmon sport fishery in 1986, 1987, and 1991 show angler effort has increased over 100% (Table 1). During this same time period angler catch has increased 510% and harvest has increased by 309%. Although harvest accounts for less than 3% of the chinook salmon escapement during this time period, recent (1991 and 1992) escapement figures show a downward trend in numbers of returning chinook salmon. This information prompted the collection of additional data to determine if use may be impacting the number of spawning chinook salmon.

Sport angler harvests of chinook salmon from the Ayakulik River were monitored during June and July. This was a cooperative effort between the Kenai Fishery Resource Office, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Department). The Kenai Fishery Resource Office placed two creel clerks on the river. One was stationed at the fly-in access site on the upper river (Photo 2) and the second was stationed at the Ayakulik River fish weir operated by the Department. The person stationed at the weir collected completed trip information from anglers floating the river, or motoring upstream from the lower access site. The creel clerk stationed at the fish weir also assisted with weir operations.

A total of 7,819 chinook salmon were counted through the weir. Anglers expended a total of 1,098 angler days, caught 3,158 chinook and harvested 800 chinook salmon or 10% of the run (Table 1). The escapement goal (6,500) was reached with the angling pressure expended during 1993. If angling pressure and harvest continues to grow or runs

continue their downward trend, management actions may be needed for conservation of the chinook salmon stocks.

TABLE 1.- Effort, catch and harvest of chinook salmon in the Ayakulik River sport fishery, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.

1986 1987 1991 1993

Angler Days

336 557 698

1,098

Escapementb

6,371 15,636 12,988

7,819

Catch

484 1,274 2,952 3,158

Harvest

90 157 368 800

Exploitation Ratec

1.4 1.0 2.8

10.2

a Creel data, Refuge and Alaska Department of Fish and Game. b Alaska Department of Fish and Game fish weir data. c Percentage of escapement harvested.

Chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Escapements, Kuskokwim River Tributaries, Yukon Delta NWR

Aerial surveys assessing the relative abundance of chinook salmon in Kuskokwim River tributaries on the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge have consistently fallen below management objectives for a number of years. At the same time, the Department reported that the overall Kuskokwim River escapement goal for chinook salmon has been met or exceeded during the years 1988-92. Actual count data until recently, however, has been limited to two major projects operated by the state off of the refuge. The reporting that the overall escapement goal index has been met may be masking short falls that are occurring in the individual tributaries.

Spawning escapement discrepancies between refuge and non-refuge originating chinook salmon stocks are not completely understood. In any major river system, year class strength in individual tributaries may be strong or weak. Factors affecting year class strength may include conditions in the streams, the ocean, and the number of returning spawners.

Management's goal of meeting escapements is based upon the best available data. However, without monitoring individual tributaries, the overall Kuskokwim River chinook salmon escapement index, a measure of managements overall success will be based upon a few escapement projects, test fisheries in the main river, and aerial surveys that may or may not be carried out. Without better knowledge of the mixing of the individual stocks in the commercial and subsistence fisheries, it is impossible to reduce the incidental harvest of weak stocks. As a result, refuge originating salmon stocks may not meet escapement goals

5

due to incidental harvest in the commercial fishery. Because of the importance of these salmon resources to meeting the purposes of the refuge, the office continued the Tuluksak River weir project.

Kuskokwim River Tributary Weir, Yukon Delta NWR

A portable resistance board weir was installed for a third year on the Tuluksak River (Figure 2). The weir was operational from June 17 through September 10, 1993. A total of 13,804 chum, 8,328 coho, 2,218 chinook, 210 pink and 88 sockeye salmon were passed upstream. Age, length and sex data was collected from weekly subsamples. Female chinook salmon numbers remained below 16% of the run for the second year in a row. Several years of data are needed to determine population trends, however the low percentage has raised the concern for this chinook salmon stock. In addition to monitoring the fish run, the crew in cooperation with the Department, collected tissue samples from spawned out fish passing downstream (Photo 3). These samples, forwarded to the state may be used in genetic stock identification work.

During 1993, the projected chum salmon escapement, based upon the Department's test fishery and Aniak River sonar project, indicated numbers returning to the Kuskokwim River were below objective levels prompting the closure of the commercial fishery. In the Aniak River, a major spawning tributary located immediately above the refuge, chum salmon failed to return to the river and the escapement consisted of only 14,000 of a 250,000 goal. The Tuluksak River escapement goal was met, probably as a result of the commercial fishery closure in the lower river. In addition to the commercial fishery closure, the subsistence fishery on the Kuskokwim River was closed for the first time. This action by the Department prompted a public outcry by the subsistence users. Native associations from both the Yukon and Kuskokwim River regions were pressing for emergency aid measures and supporting efforts to have the Federal Government take over management of subsistence fisheries on navigable Alaska waters.

Remote and Roadside Lake Surveys, Kenai NWR.

The numerous lakes located throughout the Kenai lowlands are a unique geologic feature on the Kenai Refuge that provide a variety of aquatic habitats for fish and wildlife species. Many lakes are very productive and support healthy sport fish populations while others are less productive or possess characteristics which limit sport fish populations. Over 50 refuge lakes were surveyed from 1983-1986 to evaluate fish populations and describe limnological characteristics, however, little information is available for other lakes. With the demand for recreational fishing opportunities increasing annually on the Kenai Refuge, there is a need to expand the baseline information available on refuge lakes and identify potential recreational fishing opportunities. Several of the remote lakes surveyed are currently closed to aircraft access during the summer due to the presence of nesting swans.

6

--.j

Water Surface

Flow

Cable (10 em)

_..,.

, .......

Angle Iron (7.6 x 7.6 em)

Fence

Wire Cable

Stringers

PVC Conduit (2.5cm diam)

Resistance Board

Figure 2. Cross section of the resistance board weir installed in the Tuluksak River, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska.

The Kenai Fishery Resource Office conducted fishery and limnological surveys on 23 remote and roadside lakes on the Kenai Refuge from July through October, 1993. Experimental gill nets and minnow traps were fished overnight in each lake to sample fish populations. Information was collected on species composition, population levels and associated age, weight, and length statistics. Habitats important for spawning were identified and physical and chemical characteristic of lakes were described.

Seven fish species were captured during the lake surveys including rainbow trout, Arctic char, kokanee, coho salmon, threespine stickleback, longnose sucker, and coastrange sculpin. Rainbow trout were found in seven lakes and. Arctic char were found in two lakes. Coho salmon and kokanee were captured in only one lake. Thirteen lakes did not support any sport fish populations. Lakes without sport fish populations generally had low productivity or were lacking inlet or outlet streams suitable for spawning.

Hidden Lake Summer Creel Survey, Kenai NWR

Hidden Lake supports the most popular lake trout fishery on the Kenai Peninsula. Lake studies conducted in the interior of Alaska have indicated that several lake trout populations have been overfished. This information and the lack of data collected from this fishery has prompted the need to study the sport fishery on Hidden Lake. During 1993 the Kenai Fishery Resource Office conducted a summer creel survey between May 8 and August 23, 1993. A total of 549 angler parties representing 991 anglers were contacted. Interviewed anglers fished 2,185 hours and harvested 227 lake trout, 25 kokanee salmon, 20 rainbow trout, and 14 Dolly Varden. Angling effort occurred primarily in May. Most anglers (53%) were targeting lake trout and most effort {73%) occurred on weekends.

Adak Island Fishery Surveys, Alaska Maritime NWR

With funding provided by the u.s. Navy, the Kenai Fishery Resource Office collected fishery data from 49 streams supporting anadromous fish on Adak Island in the Aleutian Islands during 1993 (Photo 4). Surveys were conducted from July through November to document run timing of anadromous species. Information was collected on population levels and associated age, sex and length statistics. Surveys of spawning grounds were conducted .on foot to estimate adult salmon and Dolly Varden escapements. A backpack electroshocker was used to examine the distribution and abundance of juvenile salmonids. Habitats important for spawning and rearing were identified and water quality characteristics were described. Fish populations in Lake Andrew, the largest lake on the island, were sampled.

Eight fish species were observed during surveys on Adak including pink, coho, sockeye, and chum salmon, Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, coastrange

8'

sculpin, and threespine stickleback. Pink salmon were the most abundant and widely distributed salmon species and were found in 40 streams. Pink salmon counts of over 1,000 fish occurred in five streams with two streams supporting populations over 10,000 fish. Coho salmon were found in 35 different streams, however, most streams supported less than 100 spawning adults. Sockeye salmon were observed in twelve different streams. Numbers of sockeye salmon observed were generally less than 50 adults, however, one watershed entering Hidden Bay on the southern coast of Adak supported over 4,000 adults. small numbers of chum salmon (N <7) were observed in nine different streams. Dolly Varden were observed in every stream sampled except one. Rainbow trout were found in two streams.

Five different fish species were identified in Lake Andrew and streams entering the lake. Dolly Varden, coho salmon, sockeye salmon (kokanee), threespine stickleback, and coastrange sculpin were captured in the lake. Dolly Varden, kokanee, coho salmon and coastrange sculpin were captured in streams entering the lake. Kokanee found in Lake Andrew have black spots covering their back and tail; a characteristic not usually found on sockeye ~almon.

Public Outreach

Educating and interacting with the public is an important part of any offices' stewardship initiatives. The Kenai Fishery Resource Office along with the Kenai Refuge, and volunteers from the Kenai Rotary Club hosted local youngsters from the Challenge Alaska program for a day of fishing during National Fishing Week on Engineer Lake (Photo 5). The nine kids with various handicaps that participated received one on one fishing instruction and most caught some of the land locked coho salmon found in the lake.

During the second annual Kenai River Festival, the Kenai Fishery Resource Office, Kenai Refuge and Lake Clark National Park personnel hosted a Pathways to Fishing program (Photo 6). Approximately 150 people either directly participated or were interested onlookers and parents.

A partnership agreement was signed with the Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School to increase the students awareness towards the environment and local fishery information. Through the agreement we have formalized our involvement with the school. Throughout the year, office personnel have taught sections on fish and insect identification, and have worked with the 6th grade classes on an Adopt-A-Stream program. Office personnel help the teachers with the Adopt-A-Stream program by taking biweekly field trips to a local stream. The students learn how to use equipment to collect water quality and fishery data, which they take back to their classes for integration into their lessons. Office personnel also participate as judges for the school's science fair.

9 .·

Planning

The development of Refuge Fishery Management Plans has been a dynamic process. The Alaska Maritime Refuge Fishery Management Plan was completed and published in March, 1993. Revision of the Kenai Refuge Fishery Management Plan has been initiated through seeping sessions with Refuge and Department personnel.

The Office has also been involved with development of the Kenai Refuge Public Use Management Plan. This document deals with all the aspects of public use on the refuge.

Coordination and Technical Assistance

During the year, this office coordinated activities with and provided technical assistance and logistical support to other Service offices.

The Kenai Fishery Resourceoft:ice assisted Alaska Maritime Refuge with a training session for Regional Watercraft Safety instructors. Kevin Bell, the First Mate of Region 7's research vessel Tiglax, presented the classroom sessions on watercraft safety and training techniques. In addition participants were instructed in boat handling, flare and distress signal usage in the Homer boat harbor. The office assisted by providing a vehicle, boat and a trailer for participants to practice trailering and boat handling sessions. The last day of training was moved to Kenai, Alaska. There the office provided boats and operators to train.participants in proper boat handling and safety techniques for operations in riverine environments (Photos 7 and 8). Four personnel from theoffice are now certified as Regional Watercraft Safety instructors.

The Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Fisheries Branch, continued a multi-year research project on Tustumena Lake. Our office again provided a 22-foot jet boat, numerous equipment items, and logistical support throughout the summer in an effort to ensure the success of their program.

Radio telemetry equipment was loaned to the King Salmon Fishery Resource Office.

The office is responsible for coordinating the Coastal America project with the City of Soldotna. The project leader also serves on the Kenai Peninsula Groundwater Task Force, which published a poster during the year.

Official visitors to the Kenai Fishery Resource Office in 1993:

Steve Rideout, Assistant Regional Director, FFA, Region 7 Walt Stieglitz, Regional Director, Region 7

10

Rowan Gould, Assistant Regional Director, Refuges & Wildlife Janet Hahn, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services Michele Altimus, Special Assistant to the Director Leslie Holland-Bartels, Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research

Center Steve Klein, Fishery Biologist, Fisheries Management Services John Martin, Refuge Manager, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife

Refuge Jim Finn, Fishery Biologist, Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research

Center Carl Burger, Fishery Biologist, Alaska Fish and Wildlife

Research Center Jim Larson, Project Leader, King Salmon FRO Daniel Doshier, Refuge Manager, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Bill Kent, Supervisory Park Ranger, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Frank Fiala, Natural Resource Specialist, Lake Clark National Park

and Preserve

Permanent employees received training and attended meetings as follows:

American Fisheries Society, National Meeting (1) Alaska Chapter, American Fisheries Society (2) Coordination meetings with village Indian Reorganization

Act Councils (5) Coordination meetings with Village Corporations (1) Region 7 Fisheries Review (4) Fisheries Academy, Module I and II (2) Interagency Coordination Meeting (1) Coordination meetings with the State Commercial Fish Division (6) Regional Quality Improvement Program (6) Cultural Diversity training (6) Refuge Coordination Meetings (6) Advocacy Training (1) Coordination meetings with the Kuskokwim River Salmon

Working Group (2) Kenai Peninsula Ground Water Task Force (5) Systematic Development of Informed Consent (4) Introduction to Supervision training (1) Public meetings for Kenai National Wildli£e Refuge Public

Use Management Plan (3} National Fisheries Program Training Committee meetings (2}

11

I;:

STATION CYCLICAL MAINTENANCE/CONSTRUCTION

Funds were appropriated in Fiscal Year 1990 for the planning of new facilities for this office, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Meetings have been held several times through out FY 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 between the Regional Engineering staff and officials of the three offices. If funds are received for this construction, facilities will include office, library, laboratory space, and a bunkhouse. The new facilities would be located on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge at the existing headquarters complex.

A land exchange, underway with a local nonprofit Native corporation, has gained momentum and may be approved by Congress. This means that the old refuge headquarters facility currently used by this office for equipment storage and a bunkhouse may be transferred. The station will then need to rent storage space for boats and other equipment and bunkhouse space on the open market.

Major equipment purchases during the year included a boat, boat trailer, and an event tent. Some of the older computers are nearing their service life, and will be replaced in the near future.

12

FUTURE OUTLOOK

The 16 Alaskan National Wildlife Refuges account for approximately 25 percent of Alaska's land mass, and their management is critical to fish and wildlife populations of the state.

Fishery Management Plans have been completed for three of the four refuges under the responsibility of the Kenai Fishery Resource Office. These plans identify issues and concerns, goals and objectives, fishery management tasks, and costs for the ensuing five years on each refuge.

The vision of Alaska with unlimited and unexploited fishery resources is a prevalent misconception. The increasing human population is affecting even the remotest of fisheries in Alaska. Commercial fisheries affect a large proportion of the salmon runs returning to refuge rivers. Fishing effort in distant commercial districts is intercepting an unknown number of salmon bound for refuge rivers. Commercial fisheries that are associated with the Kenai, Kodiak, Yukon Delta, and the Alaska Maritime Refuges harvested an estimated 60 .. 70 million pounds of salmon. These salmon were either produced or harvested within refuge boundaries. The wholesale commercial value of this harvest is estimated in excess of $50 million dollars. These salmon produced on Service lands form a substantial part of the fish this country exports.

Close to the mouth of the rivers in the terminal fisheries the commercial fisheries are harvesting the preseason estimated surplus. Coupled with the commercial fishery is a growing subsistence fishery that is taking an increasing number of fish to satisfy growing rural village populations associated with all of the major river systems. Village harvests remain relatively constant even during weak run years, and can negatively impact future runs. During 1993, the chum salmon returning to the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers failed to show up in adequate numbers. The commercial fishery was closed after one opening. The subsistence fishery was also closed for the first time in history, prompting the subsistence users to request that the Federal Government take over management of subsistence fisheries on navigable Alaska. waters. This would entail .the expenditure of millions of dollars that the state already spends to manage those resources.

Overlain over both of these fisheries are sport fisheries that are increasing with the establishment .of new sportfishing lodges. Statewide the number of angler days has almost doubled over the last 10 years, and is expected to increase (Figure 3). With the loss of some salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest, the yearly percent increase will probably rise. This will mean ~v~n a bigger effort to monitor the expanding use and the associated 1mpacts and maintain populations. on the Kenai Peninsula which encompas;ses the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, fishing use has indreai3ad 73% over the past ten years. Waters that had few anglers several ye~rs ago now have anglers year round.

13

,---- --·

,_. .p.

.. .. :···: .;·r· ....

3,000,000r-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1-c Q)

,.Cl

Angler Days

2,500,000 1-

2,000,000 1--- ..................................... .

s 1,500,000 1- - ··''' ······················. ··························· ;::1 z

1,000,000 1-

500,000

,• .· ____________ ,~,,'

Total Salmon Freshwater species

----------------------- .......... -................. __

................................ _

0~~----~------~-----L------~----~------J-----~~----~------~----~------~

Figure 3.

81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

Date

Annual increase in sport fishing angler days, and number of salmon and other freshwater species harvested in Alaska (Mills, Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1993).

91 92

The short growing season and old age at which resident fish mature call for special precautions with the sport and subsistence fisheries that target these species. Enhancement efforts also threaten various species and biological complexes by altering the genetic make up of the runs, and place at jeopardy other species that occur in the mixed stock commercial fisheries.

The Kenai Fishery Resource Office in the future will take a more active part in the management/conservation process to maintain the fishery resources on Service lands. This will entail completion of those tasks identified in fishery management plans when funds are available. The collection, synthesis and reporting of this data will then be used to effect management changes to benefit fishery resources through the Alaska Board of Fisheries.

Due to budget limitations, and future cuts, the Student Conservation Association and Service volunteers will continue to play an integral part in station operations. The availability of these people tends to be during the summer and can be somewhat limited. We have been fortunate to have several volunteers who have stayed through most of the year. The office needs to maintain bunkhouse space in order to attract volunteers to work on our projects.

In other areas, the National Park Service remains interested in funding a fishery inventory in the Kenai Fjords National Park. Budget constraints within the National Park Service have prevented funding the inventory. The aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill however has prompted the need for more baseline inventories prior to such catastrophes.

The U.S. Air Force has also requested that the Service initiate a stocking program to increase recreational fishing opportunities on Shemya Air Force Base, in the Aleutian Islands. Fish were sampled in 1989 to determine if contamination of the lakes had occurred from past military operations. The results have returned showing no contamination, opening the way for a future program.

15.

II. FORMS

16

..... "

MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Station: Kenai Fishery Resource Office

Check only one Restoration/

D Management Assistance

of the Following: Mitigation on Federal and Indian Lands

Management Activities Area Served

1 2

Management Plan Development NWR

Population Analysis and Monitoring NWR

CoordinatiGn and Technical Assistance NWR

Interagency Cooperative Management State

Form 3-112 (Rev. 1/89)

Fiscal Year: 1993

0 Federal

D Leadership

Number of Staff Years Projects (FTEts)

3 4

2 . 25

4 5.0

2 . 7

1 .5

...... ())

'' ·<;~.:·~" -· ..

1. Salaries, Permanent (Including Benefits): (includes awards)

2. Salaries, Temporary (Including Benefits):

3. Operating Costs:

A. Utilities

1. Telephone

2. Electricity

3. Heating Oil

4. Natural Gas

5. Other (trash)

B. Vehicle Maintenance

1. Distribution Vehicles

Total Mileage: 0

Form 3-110 (Rev. 1/89)

Operations (Fisheries)

1331 1

264,259

34,902

2,100

0

0

0

0

0

Fiscal Year: 1993

Funding Source

Cyclical Quarters Other Maintenance Maintenance Funding (Fisheries) 8610

2 3 4

0 •

0

!

408

558

0

267

419

0

3. B. Vehicle Maintenance (continued)

...... \0

2. Non-Distribution Vehicles

Total Mileage: 23,073

C. Fuel for Vehicles/Equipment

D. Supplies

1. Fish Food

2. Chemicals/Drugs

3. Fertilizer

4. Tags and Tagging Supplies

5. Office Supplies/Custodial/Other Supplies

E. Travel

Form 3-110 (Continued) (Rev. 1/89)

Operations (Fisheries)

1331 1

334

2,027

0

0

0

0

28,177

34,287

Fiscal Year: 1993

Cyclical Quarters Other Maintenance Maintenance Funding (Fisheries) 8610

2 3 4

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

N 0

OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE COST DATA Station: Kenai Fishery Resource Office

I Funding Source

Operations Cyclical Quarters (Fisheries) Maintenance Maintenance

1331 (Fisheries) 8610 1 2 3

3. F. Moving Expense 0 0

16,240 G. Miscellaneous (List) 1,019

7,175 ADP Equipment/Postage Meter/Radio Equipment 5,148

1,512 SCA Vol/Field Equipment/Equip. Maint./ 35,302 0

4. Operations (Total: Lines 1, 2, 3A-G) 432,482 1,652

5. Vehicles/Equipment Purchased (Over $1,000) 0 0

6. Cyclical Maintenance 0 0

7. Quarters Maintenance 0 249

8. Total Maintenance (Total: Lines 5, 6, and 7) 249

9. Column Totals (Total: Lines 4 and 8) 432,482 1,901

10. Total Expenditures (Add Totals of Column 1-4) $ 434,383

Form 3-110 (Continued) (Rev. 5/89)

Fiscal Year: 1993

I Other

Funding

4

I

N .......

Station: REPORT OF STATION PERSONNEL

Kenai Fishery Resource Office

Part I - Permanent Personnel (FTE's: 5 )

Name Of Employee Functional Title Grade Period Yorked

Gary Sonnevil Project Leader GS 12 92-10-01 93-09-30

Ken Harper Asst. Project Leader GS 11 92-10-01 93-09-30

Doug Palmer Fishery Biologist (Mgmt) GS 11 92-10-01 93-09-30

Jeff Booth Fishery Biologist (Mgmt) GS 9 92-10-01 93-09-30

Anne Barrett Secretary GS 5 92-10-01 93-09-30

Part II - Temporary Personnel (FTE's: 2. 1)

Name Of Employee Functional Title Grade Period Yorked

Brad Benter Biological Technician GS 5 93-04-12 93-09-30

John Crye Biological Technician GS 5 93-05-17 93-09-30

Heather Moore Biological Technician GS 4 93-05-24 93-08-27

Abraham Lott Biological Technician GS 4 93-07-30 93-08-20

John Tobin Biological Technician GS 6 92-10-01 92-12-11

John Tobin Biological Technician GS 6 93-01-25 93-09-30

Form 3-114 (Rev. 1/89)

Fiscal Year: 19 93

Remarks

I

Remarks

Temp. Intermittent

Local Hire/Tuluksak

N N

.. "; ~

REPORT OF STATION PERSONNEL Station: Kenai Fishery Resource Office

----- ---- --------

Part Ill - Other Personnel (Staff Years: 2 )

Name Of Employee Functional Title Grade Period Worked

John Baker SCA Volunteer N/A 93-05-23 93-08-14

Jud Scott SCA Volunteer N/A 93-05-30 93-09-25

Duane Stevenson SCA Volunteer N/A 93-05-30 93-08-21

Richard Capitan SCA Volunteer N/A 93-05-30 93-09-18

Meredee Lloyd SCA Volunteer N/A 93-09-19 93-09-30

Robert Ritchey Volunteer (FWS-Retired) N/A 93-08-01 93-09-30

Janet Rumble SCA Volunteer N/A 92-10-01 n-l0-25

Janet Rumble FWS Volunt.eer N/A 92-10-26 93-04-12

Form 3-114 (Continued) (Rev. 1/89)

Fiscal Year: 1993

Remarks

Lake Surveys/Ayakulik

Lakes Surveys & Adak

Tuluksak River weir

Hidden Lk & Tuluksak

Public Outreach

Aircraft Pilot

Tuluksak River weir

Data/Graphics/Aging

. ' PUBLIC RELATIONS

Station: Kenai Fishery Resource Office Fiscal Year: 1993

1. Presentations: Number of Groups Number of People

On Site 2 6

Off Site 7 796

2. Number of Visitors:

Official 15

Public 26

3. Other Public Relation Activities/Presentations:

Type of Activity

Adopt-A-Stream w/K-Beach elementary School 75

Present Partnership Agreement to K-Beach Elementary 250

Salmon management talk Captain Cook Campground 35

Salmon talk, Hidden Lake Campground 55

-Kenai Peninsula fisheries briefing, Directors staff 2 -Salmon weir projects, presentation-Village of Tuluksak 45 -Presented National Fishing Week Program to Local

Rotary Club 25 -Pathways to Fishing (During Kenai River Festival) 150 -Hosted Challenge Alaska participants to day of fishing during National Fishing Week 9

Remarks: .50 participants-National AFS meeting Portland

100 participants-Alaska Chapter AFS, Fairbanks on Site = R-9 personnel, Directors Staff

Form 3-172 (Rev. 1/89) 23

III. APPENDIX PHOTOGRAPHS

24

N Ul

Photo 1. Kenai Fishery Resource Office personnel. From left to right John Tobin, Ken Harper, Anne Barrett, Doug Palmer, Rich Capitan (Student Conservation Association), John Crye, Meredee Lloyd (Student Conservation Association), Jeff Booth and Gary Sonnevil (Photo by John Tobin).

•

•

N 0\

Photo 2. Kenai Fishery Resource Office, Kenai Rotary Club and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge hosted local Challenge Alaska kids for a day of fishing during National Fishing Week (Photo by Jeff Booth).

•

N ......

Photo 3. Biological Technicians Abraham Lett and John Crye collecting genetic samples at the Tuluksak River fish weir. Mr. Lett, a local hire from the Village of Tuluksak, worked at the Tuluksak River weir for the majority of the summer (Photo by Duane Stevenson).

I

•

N CXl

Photo 4. Biological Technician John Crye interviewing anglers on the Ayakulik River, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, 1993 (Photo by Jeff Booth).

•

..

N \0

Photo 5. Biological technician Brad Benter and Judd Scott (Student Conservation Association) sampling for fish on Adak Island in the Aleutian Island Chain (Photo by Doug Palmer).

..

..

w 0

Photo 6. Jeff Booth presiding over one of the Pathways to Fishing stations. The Kenai Fishery Resource Office, Kenai NWR, and the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve teamed up to host the Pathways event (Photo by Gary Sonnevil).

•

..

w ......

Photo 7. Region 7 boating safety trainees preparing for boat handling exercises on the Kenai River (Photo by Bill Bohman).

•

~

4 ....

JJ

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