Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund
Statement of Work
Revision #1: Revise budget to account for FY15 change to ADF&G indirect base
of line 100 only at 21%; change PI
I.
Project Title: Chignik Late-Season Escapement Enumeration – Phase 2
II.
Project Number: 44911
III.
Principal Investigators
Mary Beth Loewen, Fisheries Research Biologist, PI
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Division of Commercial Fisheries (CF)
351 Research Court
Kodiak, AK 99615
907-486-1825; marybeth.loewen@alaska.gov
Adam St. Saviour, ADF&G, former PI
IV.
Project Period: 4/15/14 – 11/30/16
V.
AKSSF Objective: 2A-1
VI.
Project Description
1. Synopsis
The Chignik River system is the primary salmon producer in the southern Alaska
Peninsula region where subsistence salmon is an economic and cultural mainstay for
the villages of Chignik Lake, Chignik Lagoon, Chignik Bay, Ivanoff Bay, and
Perryville. This project will collect age, sex, length (ASL) data and enumerate lateseason sockeye and coho salmon in the Chignik River using dual-frequency
identification sonar (DIDSON). Data from this project will replace the post-weir
estimate model for Chignik late-run sockeye and contribute to management of the
subsistence fisheries. This project continues work begun in AKSSF project 44611.
2. Introduction
Salmon escapement to the Chignik River system is currently monitored during the
commercial fishing season using a large, pile-driven weir which requires two
managers and four technicians to operate. The construction and integrity of the
Chignik weir are dependent on favorable environmental conditions. Monthly
operating costs for this weir are approximately $87,220. Sonar is a relatively costeffective technological alternative (costing $49,980/month) that can be installed
quickly and over a wide range of river conditions. Hydroacoustic techniques have
been used in river systems throughout Alaska as a non-invasive means to enumerate
migrating salmon. These systems include the Yukon, Kenai, Copper, Kasilof, Anchor,
Yenta, Crescent, Nushagak, Kvichak, Chilkat, Aniak, Anvik, and Sheenjek rivers.
DIDSON provides an intensive view of the salmon run, as it progresses throughout
the season, without the infrastructure, maintenance, and man-hours required by
traditional weirs.
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A September in-river run goal of 25,000 Chignik sockeye salmon for subsistence use
has been in place since 2004; however, September salmon escapement is not
currently monitored with weir operations due to environmental, logistical, and
financial constraints. The size and stock dynamics of the September portion of
Chignik late-run sockeye and coho runs have only recently been assessed with the
Chignik DIDSON through AKSSF project 44611. This project will allow for
continued evaluation of these runs through post-weir escapement monitoring and
ASL data collection. This project will also provide the benefit of an alternate
escapement monitoring method earlier in the season in the event of weir failure or
construction delay.
3. Location
Site: Chignik River Weir
Latitude: 56.26166 N
Longitude: 158.71148 W
VII.
Objectives
 Objective 1: Describe the population size and timing of late-run sockeye and coho
salmon escapement to the Chignik River
 Objective 2: Obtain ASL data from sockeye and coho salmon after removal of the
Chignik River weir
 Objective 3: Replace the statistical model used to estimate sockeye salmon
escapement in September
VIII. Methods
A DIDSON LR 300 m will enumerate salmon escapement in Chignik River in September
2014-2016. ASL and apportionment data will be collected from salmon caught by
gillnetting and through contracted services (charter of commercial vessels and/or samples
provided by fishermen). The post-season estimate model outcomes will be compared to
the results of sockeye salmon counts with DIDSON using ANOVA and t-tests, and data
will be added to the Alaska Fisheries Sonar website/
This project will share the same site and protocols from AKSSF project 44611. The
specific tasks needed for fulfillment of each objective are as follows:
Objective 1: Describe the population size and timing of late run sockeye and coho salmon
escapement to the Chignik River from late August through September
Task 1. Using standard DIDSON processing software, technicians and the project
leader will count and record fish passage September 1 through September 30.
Ten-minute, hourly, and daily totals, as well as 24 hour counts once per week,
will be relayed to the principal investigator daily. All data will be backed up on
hard drives.
Task 2. Through a combination of gillnetting and contracted services, salmon will
be caught for species apportionment.
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Task 3. Using DIDSON counts and catch data, the principal investigator will
produce escapement estimates by species for the month of September. Daily
counts and a season summary will be reported to management staff. September
escapement estimates will be incorporated into the Chignik Annual Management
Report.
Objective 2: Obtain ASL data from sockeye and coho salmon after removal of the
Chignik River Weir
Task 1. From September 1 to September 30, technicians will capture migrating
salmon and collect species composition and ASL data using an 8’x200’ variable
mesh size gillnet in the river and lagoon. The number of salmon needed weekly
will be determined by the principal investigator using the sample proportion
statistical technique:
Np(1  p)
d2
( N  1) 2  p(1  p)
z
where N = the total population sampled from, p = the true value of the proportion
to estimate, d = the margin of error, and n0 = the sample size.
n
Task 2. Scales will be read by a reader certified with the current regional salmon
scale test and ASL data entered into the ADF&G database.
Task 3. These data will be compared to apportionment and ASL data collected at
the weir to ensure there are no size or species selectivity.
Objective 3: Replace the statistical model used to estimate sockeye salmon escapement in
September
Task 1.Daily escapement estimates produced with DIDSON data will be added to the
Chignik late-run sockeye and coho escapement totals.
Task 2. Data collected on Chignik late-run sockeye will be used in the Chignik run
reconstruction and added to the brood table.
IX.
Benefits
This project will provide reliable escapement estimates and biological data for Chignik
late-run sockeye and coho salmon and allow ADF&G to assess the historical models used
to estimate the size of this run. Results from this work will aid in the effective
management and maintenance of Chignik subsistence salmon stocks through more
accurate escapement estimation of late-run salmon and by providing a reliable
escapement enumeration safeguard against flooding and uncontrollable environmental
events.
X.
Products, Milestones, and Timelines
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XI.
September 2014: Enumerate Chignik River salmon escapement; speciate runs; collect
ASL data
October 2014 – April 2015: Edit, analyze, and report 2014 data for the Chignik
Annual Management Report (AMR); compare post-weir estimate model to DIDSON
counts; add Chignik DIDSON project to the Alaska Fisheries Sonar web page;
prepare for the 2015 field season
February 2015: Present results at the Chignik Regional Aquaculture Association
(CRAA) meeting in Anchorage
September 2015: Enumerate Chignik River salmon escapement, speciate runs, and
collect ASL data
October 2015: Present findings at the Alaska chapter American Fisheries Society
meeting (AFS)
October 2015 – April 2016: Edit, analyze, and report 2015 data; compare post-weir
estimate model to DIDSON counts; prepare for the 2016 field season
February 2016 Present results at the CRAA meeting in Anchorage
September 2016: Enumerate Chignik River salmon escapement, speciate runs, and
collect ASL data
October 2016 – November 2016: Edit, analyze, and report 2016 data in AMR;
compare post-weir estimate model to DIDSON counts
Project Budget
Revision #1 revises the budget to account for the FY15 change to ADF&G’s indirect
base of line 100 only at 21%.
The original project budget table is retained in this document as Appendix A.
REV1 ADF&G CF Budget
100 Personnel
200 Travel
300 Contractual
400 Supplies
500 Equipment
Subtotal
600 Indirect
Total
Total
$166,495
$12,180
$39,067
$34,930
$17,663
$270,335
$34,964
$305,299
Budget Narrative:
Line 100: Personnel (not updated with Revision #1)
The State of Alaska salary calculator was used to calculate personnel costs.
Nyssa Baechler, Fishery Biologist I, will operate sonar, oversee data processing and entry
(in Kodiak), and collect ASL data (Chignik rate includes 7.5 hours of overtime per
week):
 FY 15: 1.5 months (Chignik) @ $11,161/month = $16,742
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FY 15: 1.5 months (Kodiak) @ $7,132/month = $10,699
FY 16: 1.5 months (Chignik) @ $11,607/month = $17,411
FY 16: 1.5 months (Kodiak) @ $7,418/month = $11,127
FY 17: 1.5 months (Chignik) @ $12,072/month = $18,108
FY 17: 1.5 months (Kodiak) @ $7,714/ month = $11,572
Taylor Ritter, FWT II, will operate the sonar, collect ASL data, and process data in
Chignik (rate includes 7.5 hours of overtime per week):
 FY 15: 1.5 months @ $8,593/month = $12,890
 FY 16: 1.5 months @ $8,937/month = $13,406
 FY 17: 1.5 months @ $9,295/month = $13,942
An FWT II (TBD) will operate the sonar, collect ASL data, and process data in Chignik
(rate includes 7.5 hours of overtime per week):
 FY 15: 1.5 months @ $8,593/month = $12,890
 FY 16: 1.5 months @ $8,937/month = $13,406
 FY 17: 1.5 months @ $9,295/month = $13,942
Line 200: Travel ($12,180; not updated with Revision #1)
During each of the three project field seasons, between August 25 and October 1, the PI
will travel from Kodiak to Chignik, once to deploy and operate the DIDSON and train the
crew, and again to remove equipment at the end of each season:
 Airfare: 6 tickets @ $1,633/ticket = $9,798
 Ground transportation: $582
 Lodging: 10 nights @ $120/night = $1,200
 Per diem: 10 days @ $60/day = $600
Line 300: Contractual ($39,067; not updated with Revision #1)
 Round trip Kodiak-Chignik air charters via Andrew Airways for project
installation and removal, crew transport, and mid-season logistics/resupply: 6
charters @ $1,600/charter = $9,600
 Contractual services to capture additional late-season sockeye and coho salmon in
Chignik Lagoon for apportionment and ASL: $28,967
 AFS meeting registration: $500
Line 400: Supplies ($34,930; not updated with Revision #1)
 Laptop computer for data acquisition and processing: $2,000
 200’ x 8’ variable-mesh gillnet = $2,000
 Field sampling, personal, and safety gear for crew (notebooks, tally counters, rain
gear, gloves, boots) = $3,000
 Building materials for new weatherport platform = $1,200
 Field camp groceries for one crew leader and two FWT IIs: 126 days @ $25/day x
3 people = $9,450
 Fuel for skiff and small generator: 5 gallons/day @ $6/gallon x 126 days = $3,780
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Fuel for operation of Chignik weir facility generators: 25 gallons/day @ $6/gallon
x 90 days = $13,500
Line 500: Equipment ($17,663; not updated with Revision #1)
A jet skiff will provide transportation to Chignik Lagoon for apportionment and ASL
sampling:
 Aluminum skiff = $7,763
 60/45 horsepower jet outboard engine = $9,900
Line 600: Indirect (updated with Revision #1)
ADF&G’s federally negotiated indirect rate through June 30, 2014, was 14.93%
excluding equipment and pass-through funds. No indirect was collected at this rate. The
indirect rate effective July 1, 2014, is 21% on line 100 only (estimated indirect from July
1, 2014, through the remainder of the project is $34,964).
XII.
Match Budget (not updated with Revision #1)
ADF&G CF Match (35%)
100 Personnel
200 Travel
300 Contractual
400 Supplies
500 Equipment
Total
Total
$106,855
$0
$0
$0
$0
$106,855
Match Budget Narrative:
Line 100: Personnel ($106,855)
The State of Alaska salary calculator was used to estimate personnel costs.
Adam St. Saviour, Fishery Biologist II, is the project leader responsible for project setup, staff training, data analysis, reporting, and administrative functions such as budget
tracking, hiring, and personnel evaluation:
 FY 15: 2.5 months @ $8,753/month = $21,833
 FY 16: 2.5 months @ $9,103/month = $22,758
 FY17: 1.46 months @ $9,467/month = $13,816
Charles Russell, Fishery Biologist II, will assist with field logistics such as opening and
closing field camp, power generator operation, and outboard motor repair:
 FY 15: 1.5 month @ $11,317/month = $16,976
 FY 16: 1.5 month @ $11,769/month = $17,653
 FY 17: 1.13 month @ $12,240/month = $13,819
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Appendix A: Original Project Budget Table
Original Budget - ADF&G CF
100 Personnel
200 Travel
300 Contractual
400 Supplies
500 Equipment
Subtotal
Expenses subject to indirect
600 Indirect @ 14%
Total
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Total
$166,135
$12,180
$39,067
$34,930
$17,663
$269,975
$252,312
$35,324
$305,299
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