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Because information regarding population structure is a critical first step in understanding population dynamics of sockeye salmon in the region, the proposed study will identify and genetically characterize Lake Clark sockeye salmon. Sockeye salmon spawning aggregations will be verified and identified in glacial regions using radio telemetry. The degree of population structuring within Lake Clark will be determined through molecular genetic analysis, specifically microsatellite markers (Wright 1999). The study represents a collaborative effort between the NPS, USGS and ADFG to determine sockeye salmon population structure in the region, which will assist managers with future allocation decisions. Study Objectives...
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The disparity between recent declines in Kvichak River originating sockeye salmon compared to other Bristol Bay stocks implies some role by freshwater factors. Past and present escapement, hydrologic, and parent:fry data for the Newhalen River-Lake Clark (NR-LC) run component were collated and compared to data for the Lake Illiamna component for insight into factors underlying the decline. In the past twenty years, escapements to NR-LC declined by 61% from a mean of 1 million (1982 ¿ 1995) to 0.39 million (1995-2002) sockeye salmon. However, recent NR-LC escapements (1999-2002) appear stable at about 0.2 million, indicating greater decline of the Lake Iliamna populations. Evidence suggests this disparity is related...
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Lake Clark, Alaska contributes 6 to 80 percent of the Kvichak return of sockeye salmon to the Bristol Bay fishery, the most lucrative salmon fishery in the world. In this study we describe the genetic divergence among and genetic variation within spawning populations of sockeye salmon throughout the Lake Clark system, information that is critical for effective management. Fin tissue was collected from 1,442 sockeye salmon representing 15 spawning populations of Lake Clark and northeastern Lake Iliamna. Allele frequencies differed significantly across 11 microsatellite loci in 94 of 105 pair-wise population comparisons. Pair-wise estimates of FST ranged from zero to 0.089. There is significant genetic divergence...
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Major sockeye salmon spawning aggregations were identified in the Lake Clark watershed using radio telemetry. Salmon were tagged as they entered Lake Clark and followed to their final spawning grounds. Basic habitat parameters were collected from select spawning areas. Contemporary migration paths and spawning distributions will be compared with historic spawning areas, subsistence and sport fishing areas, as well as with current development around Lake Clark.
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[part of executive summary] Sockeye salmon originating from the Kvichak River watershed historically dominated valuable subsistence, sport and commercial fisheries in Bristol Bay, Alaska. In 1996 salmon runs to western Alaska declined and the Kvichak River sockeye salmon escapement average dropped from 5.7 million fish during 19551995 (range = 0.2 to 24.3 million fish) to an average of 2.1 million fish during 1996−2003 (range = 0.7 to 6.2 million fish). This decline concerned fishers and resource managers and two new escapement monitoring programs were initiated within the Kvichak River watershed to examine status and trends of two important component stocks that spawn in Lake Clark and the Tazimina River. This...
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