Use of PIT technology to improve hatchery mitigation

Use of PIT technology to improve hatchery mitigation in the Columbia Presented by Josh Murauskas and Joe Miller January 27, 2015 PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller 0

Columbia R. Hatcheries • Over 130 facilities • Outdated agreements Columbia R. Chinook hatchery releases (from Levin et al. 2001) PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller 1

The Concept of Salmon Mitigation Pre-project Unavoidable loss PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller Mitigation Post-project 2

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Example Mitigation Calculation using PITs • Juvenile survival = 93% • Returns = 46, 500 wild fish – Shortage of 3, 500 adults • Hatchery SAR = 0. 5% • 700, 000 smolts to mitigate loss PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller 4

Example Baseline Estimates 16, 000 Spring Chinook Annual smolt production 14, 000 Steelhead 12, 000 10, 000 8, 000 6, 000 4, 000 2, 000 Negotiated SARs PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller Carrying capacity Egg-smolt Smolt trap 5 p. HOS 5

What is Fish Performance? • Juvenile survival • Smolt-to-adult returns • Age structure – All estimable with PITs PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller 6

Example Comparison of Programs • 700, 000 smolts • 400, 000 smolts • 0. 5% SAR • 1. 3% SAR • 20% Age 3 returns • 10% Age 3 Returns • 2, 800 Age 4+ adults • 4, 680 Age 4+ adults PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller 7

Age Structure (Chelan River, BY 2008) n = 107 PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller n = 175 8

Reminder of PIT Infrastructure PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller 9

Incentive-based Hatchery Programs • Reduced phenotypic discrepancies with wild fish • Minimized hatchery footprint • Maximize value of dollar invested • Improved nurture to meet nature’s design PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller 10

Summary • Mitigation should involve calculation of: – The size of the pie – How best to replace your piece • By improving mitigation strategies, we can enhance harvest and conservation programs • Our PIT infrastructure a great backbone PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller 11

Questions? jmurauskas@anchorqea. com PIT Technology and Hatchery Mitigation J. Murauskas and J. Miller 12