Escapements of chinook salmon in southeast Alaska and transboundary rivers in 1995

Description

As part of a continuing stock assessment program in Southeast Alaska, the Division of Sport Fish obtained indices of escapement for chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in designated streams and transboundary rivers. The estimated total escapement in 1995 was 67,312 large (age .3+) chinook, an 18% decrease from the 82,057 fish estimated in 1994. The 1995 estimate was nearly twice the 19751980 base period average of 35,284 chinook salmon, 119% of the 19811985 average of 56,357, and 90% of the 19861990 average of 75,219. Escapement indices continued to exceed management goals in the Situk River (up 244% from 1994), and in the Alsek River, for the first time since the start of the rebuilding program (up 55% from 1994). Indices were below goal in the Stikine River (down 49% from 1994) and the Taku River (down 11% from 1994). The King Salmon River index count decreased from 140 fish in 1994 to 97 in 1995 (down 31%), and Andrew Creek also declined (down 40%). Indices in the Behm Canal systems remained below management goals: Unuk: (up 9% from 1994 ), Chickamin (down 8%), Blossom (up 35%), and Keta River (down 43%).

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