The Numbers....What do they really mean?

On July 15, 2013 The Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group met to discuss the current numbers and management recommendations for the Kuskokwim Salmon 2013 Season.  A general consensus from the working group members?  There are some scary numbers out there.  From Bethel Test Fishery, here's the report: 

BTF – ADF&G reported that July 15th is the last day 8 inch gear will be used at BTF.  Every set is completed at 20 minutes except for if chum saturate the net, and then they pull it early.  Chums started off slow, but ramped up as of July 1.  Not a killer year, but it looks like they’ll have some surplus.  Sockeyes are looking good, but pretty much done with that run.  Chinook aren't doing so great. Take a look at the numbers yourself.  Below are the numbers for Chinook, Chum, Coho and Sockeye.  The first chart are numbers from 2012, the second are from 2013.  For each species, it lists the daily catch, along with the cumulative number, meaning total so far adding all days up until current day.  Looking at the charts for the date of July 16, here's how they compare with last year:Chinook     2012: 404      2013:    261Chum        2012: 5488    2013:  4833

Coho         2012: 2          2013: 42Sockeye     2012:1160     2013:1137

2012 BTF Numbers:

2013 BTF Numbers:

So from these numbers, it seems pretty easy to say: wow there aren't as many fish this year.  Keep in mind, though, as much as things try to stay consistent from year to year at BTF, so that comparisons can be made...it is still important to remember that the management of the river is different from year to year.  At this time last year, there had been a lot more restrictions on subsistence fishermen, which would lead to less fish being caught, and more fish at BTF.  This is just one area to be conscience of when comparing numbers.As for escapement?  As you know, ADF&G has several weir projects to monitor escapement.  The numbers at the weirs aren't looking so great for the escapement of Chinook.  Again, it's important to look at what's behind the numbers sometimes... not JUST the numbers.  It's important here to keep in mind that at the weirs, it's still fairly early in the run, since they are a lot farther upriver than BTF.  In addition, conservation measures were taken to restrict to 6'' gear or less in some places over the past few weeks, and the results from those measures hasn't made it to the weirs as of yet, and when it does, ADF&G is hoping to see a bump in the numbers. 

When asked for clarification on meeting escapement goals – The bethel test fish tool shows that they are 90% confident the state will meet the lower end of the escapement goal for kings (65,000).  The numbers at the weirs is showing a less optimistic prediction.  BTF is giving an indication that they are fine, but time will tell, this may not be the case. 

What about at the George River Weir?As of July 16, The numbers for Chinook at the George River are significantly less than last year, about half.  Chum are looking about the same, slightly better; sockeye are putting in a small showing as well, but more than last year.  Below are the charts for Chinook, chum & sockeye respectively.  A brief recap of what you'll find as of July 16 compared to last year:Chinook: 2012: 1712      2013: 830 Chum:    2012: 17,014    2013: 17,873Sockeye: 2012: 3            2013: 44

For data from other weir projects, you can get this information at ADF&G's database online.  Simply view their website here.

 

The working group will meet again on July 23rd at 10 AM. 

The call-in number for those unable to attend in person is1-800-315-6338 (MEET); code: 58756# (KUSKO).

Call in to discuss your concerns, get your questions answered, share a fishing report, or simply listen in to stay informed.