Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund
Statement of Work
I.
Project Title: Chignik Late-Season Escapement Enumeration – Phase 1
II.
Project Number: 44611
III.
Principal Investigator
Adam St. Saviour
ADF&G, Commercial Fisheries Division
351 Research Court
Kodiak, AK 99615
Phone: (907) 486-1805
Email: adam.stsaviour@alaska.gov
PCSRF Objective: RM&E
Co-Principal Investigator
Todd Anderson
ADF&G, Commercial Fisheries Division
351 Research Court
Kodiak, AK 99615
Phone: (907) 486-1806
Email: todd.anderson2@alaska.gov
IV.
Project Start and End Date: 4/1/11 – 10/31/13
V.
Project Description
1. Synopsis
In 2004, the Alaska Board of Fisheries recognized that the late run of salmon in the
Chignik River watershed provides a crucial subsistence resource to local communities
and mandated that an additional 50,000 sockeye salmon escapement above ADF&G’s
existing escapement goal to provide for subsistence harvest in August and September.
Current salmon escapement is monitored at the Chignik weir through August 31, after
which a model is used to estimate September sockeye salmon escapement based on
extrapolation from August escapement counts. These post-weir models have never
been validated with actual counts in September, and little is known of the magnitude,
timing, or dynamics of the late run in September, nor is there information on the size
or structure of the coho salmon run, which is also an important subsistence resource to
Chignik River residents. This project will estimate the escapement of late-run sockeye
and coho salmon with a dual-frequency identification sonar (DIDSON), collect ASL
data, and use this information to evaluate current models of September escapement;
this data will assist fisheries managers maintain the sustainability of these important
subsistence runs. See related AKSSF project 44911 (Phase 2).
2. Introduction
The two distinct runs of sockeye salmon in the Chignik River watershed (Black Lake
early run and Chignik Lake late run) provide a crucial cultural and subsistence
resource for five subsistence communities. Sockeye salmon enter the Chignik River
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from late May through October and sufficient numbers of both early-run and late-run
fish are necessary for subsistence use; local users harvest early-run sockeye salmon
when still bright for drying, smoking, and canning, while late-run fish are harvested as
“redfish” late in the season specifically to take advantage of cooler weather for drying
and smoking. Coho salmon are also an important subsistence resource in the fall, with
an average of 1,700 coho harvested annually between 1998 and 2007.
Current escapement is monitored via a large, unconventional weir which requires two
managers and four technicians to operate. The weir is typically dismantled in August
as the commercial fishing season winds down, and before fall weather conditions
create hazards such as debris, carcass loading, and high water events. September
sockeye salmon escapement is estimated using time series analysis, which estimates
the rate of decay in the run and forecasts future escapements assuming that the
forecast escapement follows the same rate of decay as the run. This assumption,
however, may not be entirely accurate, as Scale Pattern Analysis, genetic
identification information, and anecdotal evidence from local subsistence users
suggest there may be significant pulses of late fish that enter the watershed after weir
removal as a “late-late run” of sockeye salmon; subsistence users often harvest
sockeye salmon into December. Further, despite the importance of September
sockeye salmon as a subsistence resource, this model has never been validated by
actual counts of escapement in the fall. Additionally, despite the importance of coho
salmon to subsistence users in the Chignik Management Area (CMA), coho
escapement to the Chignik River has never been precisely quantified and no
escapement goal is set. While sockeye salmon are the focus of subsistence harvests in
the CMA, coho salmon are also an important subsistence resource, and information
derived from quantifying the magnitude of both the sockeye and coho salmon runs in
September will be valuable information for ADF&G managers and Chignik fishery
stakeholders.
Monitoring escapement in September with the Chignik weir is currently impossible
due to environment conditions as well as logistical and financial constraints. A
DIDSON deployed in the Chignik River through September will allow for
investigation into the size and stock characteristics of the September portion of the
late-run sockeye salmon run, and for the first enumeration of coho salmon entering
the Chignik watershed. The dynamics of the September portion of Chignik watershed
late-run sockeye and coho escapement are currently unknown, and validating the
model used for late-run sockeye salmon escapement estimates will provide managers
with valuable information for ensuring the continued sustainability of this critical
subsistence resource. The work entailed in this proposal will also provide reliable
estimates of late run sockeye and coho escapement age/sex/length (ASL) through
beach seining.
3. Location
Latitude: 56.258055 N
Longitude: 158.729338 W
4. AKSSF Objective
Westward: 2A-3
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VI.
Objectives
1. Project Objectives
Objective 1: Accurately characterize the population size and timing of late run
sockeye and coho salmon escapement to the Chignik River through September
Objective 2: Obtain reliable ASL data from sockeye and coho salmon after removal
of the Chignik River weir
Objective 3: Evaluate the current statistical model used to estimate sockeye salmon
escapement in September
Methods
Operating the DIDSON concurrently with the weir at select times in the summer will
allow researchers to compare the DIDSON’s performance at periods of high,
medium, and low salmon abundance, and thereby improve the quality of the data
collected in September. This overlap will be repeated in the second year. The specific
tasks needed for fulfillment of each objective are as follows:
Objective 1: Accurately characterize the population size and timing of late run
sockeye and coho salmon escapement to the Chignik River through September
Task 1. A DIDSON LR, compass module, automatic rotators, and cable will be
purchased from Ocean Marine Industries, Inc., in April 2010. An aluminum
adjustable mount similar to those used at Chignik in 2010 will be fabricated by
staff at the Chignik weir. Using the site and bottom profiles already established in
2010 as suitable for escapement monitoring, the DIDSON will be deployed in the
Chignik River just upstream of the Chignik weir.
Task 2: The DIDSON will be operated in the Chignik River June 10-17, July 2-9,
and August 1-10 to calibrate and groundtruth to weir estimates at varying levels
of salmon escapement and species composition, and from Sept 1-Sept. 30 for
enumeration of late-run sockeye and coho salmon escapement.
Task 3. Research and management staff will be trained to monitor DIDSON
operations, report problems that arise to management staff and the project PI, and
count fish images from the DIDSON files. Counting and image processing
software provided with the DIDSON will be used for escapement enumeration.
Task 4. Bottom profiles and fish vertical distribution profiles will be created
according to standard ADF&G protocols established elsewhere in the state.
Task 5. Beginning September 1, salmon escapement will be estimated via sonar
counts. Using standard DIDSON processing software, technicians and the project
leader will estimate sockeye and coho escapement through September 30. Tenminute, hourly, and daily totals as well as 24 hour counts once per week will be
relayed to management staff inseason. All fish passage will be recorded to backup
hard drives and counted daily to create a census of late-run salmon escapement.
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Task 6. Counts from DIDSON enumeration will be apportioned by species based
on seine catches. Daily escapement estimates will be reported to management
staff inseason for potential commercial fishery opening management decisions,
and to inform stakeholders inseason. Escapement estimates will be incorporated
into the 2010 AMR.
Objective 2: Obtain reliable ASL data from sockeye and coho salmon after removal
of the Chignik River Weir
Task 1. Using a 6’x100’ purse seine, technicians will capture migrating salmon
inriver upstream of the sonar site and collect species composition and ASL data
from 80 coho salmon and 80 sockeye salmon every other day from August 1August 10. These data will be compared to the ASL data collected at the weir to
ensure no size or species selectivity exists in the beach seine catches at the
DIDSON site.
Task 2. From September 1-September 20, technicians will capture migrating
salmon in the river upstream of the sonar site before they enter Chignik Lake and
collect species composition and ASL data from 80 sockeye salmon and 80 coho
salmon every third day. If low escapement makes obtaining the required samples
with the suggested protocol difficult, beach seines will be deployed daily to
supplement the ASL samples.
Objective 3: Evaluate the current statistical model used to estimate sockeye salmon
escapement in September
Task 1. A traditional time series analysis of the forecasted September escapement
will be created for comparison with actual escapement counts. In all three years of
this project, the traditional model-forecasted escapement as well as the actual
counted escapement will be assessed and reported to managers and stakeholders
postseason and used to evaluate the validity of the traditional model. The results
of this will be included in Annual Management Reports (AMRs).
Prior to commencement of project activity, PI will obtain ADF&G Fish Collection,
Fish Resource, Fish Transport, and/or other required permits, as appropriate.
VII.
Benefits
This project will provide the first true counts of the portion of the sockeye salmon late
run most critical to subsistence users. Doing so will validate the models historically used
and estimate the size of this run component, while providing the first empirical evidence
of the shape and biological characteristics of the run. In addition to directly improving
knowledge of the abundance of this subsistence stock, this data will also be used to
update production estimates for the whole run, which in turn has the potential to either
verify or improve existing escapement goals. Enumeration of September escapement also
provides the platform for estimating coho salmon escapement, obtaining reliable
biological data from this important secondary subsistence resource, and providing the
first empirical estimate of coho entering the Chignik watershed. Results from this work
will aid in the effective management and maintenance of Chignik salmon stocks through
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more accurate escapement estimation of the sockeye salmon late-run, increased
management precision, and by providing a reliable safeguard for counting fish against
flooding and uncontrollable environmental and mechanical events.
VIII. Products, Milestones, and Timelines
 April 2011 - June 2011: Project mobilization, equipment purchasing (including
DIDSON hardware and software), site preparation, hiring of personnel, etc.
 May 2011: Installation of the Chignik River weir and construction of tripods for
DIDSON operation upstream
 June 10 – June 17, 2011: Initial DIDSON deployment, site analysis, and bottom
profiling during typical period of highest fish passage
 July 2, 2011 – July 9, 2011: Second DIDSON deployment on Chignik River during
the “overlap period” between the early and late runs to evaluate accuracy of sonar
counts during low fish passage at weir
 August 1, 2011 – August 10, 2011: DIDSON deployment on Chignik River during
the “decay period” typically used in post-weir escapement estimates; technicians
trained in beach seining techniques; comparison of seine ASL data to weir ASL data
 September 1- September 30, 2011, 2012, and 2013: Enumeration of late-run sockeye
and coho salmon in Chignik River
 October 1-November 30, 2011, 2012, and 2013: Compilation of escapement and ASL
data for publication in fishery data series and inclusion in AMRs
 January 2012, 2013, and 2014: Presentation of results at annual Chignik Regional
Aquaculture Association (CRAA) meeting in Anchorage
 April 2012, 2012, and 2014: Chignik AMRs published
 July 2012 and 2013: Field season preparation
 December 15, 2013: Provide final report to AKSSF
PI will submit PCSRF performance metrics, semiannual, and project completion reports
according to the AKSSF schedule, as well as copies of any other report/product/
deliverable produced with this funding.
All invoices will be submitted for payment within 30 days of the project end date in
accordance with the current AKSSF invoicing P&P.
Any report or product developed as a result of this funding will include the following
language: This [report/video/website] was prepared by [recipient/author name] under
award NA10NMF4380428 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, administered by the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game. Any displays produced (e.g., signs, interpretive displays,
posters) must include logos from both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (please contact AKSSF
staff for graphics).
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IX.
Partners
CRAA
X.
Project Budget
ADF&G
100 Personnel
200 Travel
300 Contractual
400 Supplies
500 Equipment
Subtotal
MTDC
600 Indirect @ 14% TMDC
Total
FY11
$1,493
$1,250
$400
$4,920
$91,400
$99,463
$8,063
$1,129
$100,592
FY12
$28,780
$2,500
$2,996
$6,550
$0
$40,826
$40,826
$5,716
$46,542
FY13
$32,522
$1,250
$2,996
$7,600
$0
$44,368
$44,368
$6,212
$50,580
FY14
$36,224
$0
$2,996
$7,975
$0
$47,195
$47,195
$6,607
$53,802
Total
$99,019
$5,000
$9,388
$27,045
$91,400
$231,852
$140,452
$19,664
$251,516
Budget Narrative:
FY11
Line 100: Personnel (All salaries were calculated using the state salary calculator.)
One Fish and Wildlife Technician (FWT) III will fabricate the DIDSON mount and
tripods and help in initial June installation: 1 week @ $1,493/week including 7.5 hrs OT
= $1,493.
Line 200: Travel
The PI will travel Kodiak to Chignik June 10-17 to deploy, operate, and calibrate the
DIDSON:
 Airfare: $1,100
 Lodging (one night in Anchorage while in transit): $150
Total: $1,250
Line 300: Contractual
Shipping of DIDSON unit from Ocean Marine Industries, Inc.: $400
Line 400: Supplies
 45m cable for DIDSON: $450
 Compass module for DIDSON: $1,500
 Lumber and hardware for 3-tripod diversion weir between shore and sonar: $270
 4 12V batteries at $100/battery = $400
 Field laptop: $1,200
 Electronic equipment and power supplies (inverter, communication cables, hard
drive backups): $500
 Aluminum and hardware for DIDSON mount: $600
Total: $4,920
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Line 500: Equipment
 1 DIDSON LR unit: $75,900
 2 Rotators @ $7,750/rotator = $15,500
Total: $91,400
Line 600: Indirect
ADF&G’s federally negotiated indirect cost recovery rate for FY11 is 14% of total
modified direct costs (TMDC) which excludes indirect on equipment.
FY12
Line 100: Personnel
 One FWT III (PCN 11-1850) will assist in project installation and sonar
operation, oversee data entry, and assist with post-project analysis: 3 months @
$7,367/month including 7.5 hrs OT/wk = $22,101.
 One FWT II (PCN 11-1969) will operate the sonar: 1 month @ $6,679/month
including 7.5 hrs OT/wk = $6,679.
Total FY12 Personnel: $28,780
Line 200: Travel
The PI will travel Kodiak to Chignik twice to deploy, operate, and continue DIDSON
calibration to weir counts June 12-19 and August 1-10.
 Airfare: 2 tickets @ $1,100/ticket = $2,200
 Lodging (2 nights in Anchorage while in transit): 2 nights @ $150/night = $300
Total FY12 Travel: $2,500
Line 300: Contractual
Two round trip air charters Kodiak - Chignik for project installation and removal: 2
flights @ $1,498/flight = $2,996
Line 400: Supplies
Food and fuel for PI and FWT III: 50 days @ $25/day x 2 people = $2,500
Room and board for one FWT II: 30 days at $25/day = $750
Field sampling gear for crew (notebooks, tallywhackers, gloves, boots): $300
Fuel for operation of Chignik weir facility: 30 days @ $4/gal x 25 gal/day = $3,000
Total FY12 Supplies: $6,550
Line 600: Indirect
ADF&G’s federally negotiated indirect cost recovery rate for FY11 is 14% of total
modified direct costs (TMDC) which excludes indirect on equipment.
FY13
Line 100: Personnel
 One FWT III (PCN 11-1850) will operate the sonar, oversee data entry, and assist
with post-project analysis: 3 months at $8,325/month including 7.5 hrs OT/wk =
$24,975.
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
One FWT II (PCN 11-1969) will operate the sonar: 1 month @ $7,547/month
including 7.5 hrs OT/wk = $7,547.
Total FY13 Personnel: $32,522
Line 200: Travel
The PI will travel Kodiak to Chignik once to deploy, operate, and continue DIDSON
calibration to weir counts:
 Airfare: $1,100/ticket
 Lodging (one night in Anchorage while in transit): $150
Total FY13 Travel: $1,250
Line 300: Contractual
Two round trip air charters Kodiak - Chignik for project installation and removal: 2
flights @ $1,498/flight = $2,996
Line 400: Supplies
 Food and fuel for the PI, one FWT III, and one FWT II: 45 days @ $25/day * 3
people = $3,375
 Cables and other electronic and power equipment: $500
 12V battery: $100
 Field sampling gear for crew (notebooks, tallywhackers, gloves, boots): $250
 Fuel for operation of Chignik weir facility: 30 days @ $4.50/gal x 25 gal = $3,375
Total FY13 Supplies: $7,600
Line 600: Indirect
ADF&G’s federally negotiated indirect cost recovery rate for FY11 is 14% of total
modified direct costs (TMDC) which excludes indirect on equipment.
FY14
Line 100: Personnel
 One FWT III (PCN 11-1850) will operate the sonar, oversee data entry, and assist
with post-project analysis: 3 months @ $9,263/month including 7.5 hrs OT/wk =
$27,789.
 One FWT II (PCN 11-1969) will operate the sonar: 1 month @ $8,435/month
including 7.5 hrs OT/wk = $8,435.
Total FY14 Personnel: $36,224
Line 300: Contractual
Two round trip charters Kodiak - Chignik for project installation and removal: 2 flights
@ $1,498/flight = $2,996
Line 400: Supplies
 Food and fuel for PI, one FWT III, and one FWTII: 45 days @ $25/day x 3 people
= $3,375
 Cables and other electronic and power equipment: $500
 12V battery: $100
 Field sampling gear for crew (notebooks, tallywhackers, gloves, boots): $250
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 Fuel for operation of Chignik weir facility: 30 days @ $5/gal x 25 gal = $3,750
Total FY14 Supplies: $7,975
Line 600: Indirect
ADF&G’s federally negotiated indirect rate for FY11 is 14% of total modified direct
costs (TMDC) which excludes indirect on equipment.
Budget adjustments between line items are allowed for amounts equal to or less than
10% of the total award without prior AKSSF approval; any amount above 10% requires
prior AKSSF approval. All costs in lines 100-500 must represent actual cash
expenditures.
All direct and match expenses shall be adequately documented and filed.
All invoices will be submitted for payment within 30 days of the project end date in
accordance with the current AKSSF invoicing P&P. Invoices submitted after that
deadline will not be reimbursed. Expenses incurred after the project end date will not be
reimbursed.
Entities are required to provide current federally negotiated indirect cost rate
agreements (NICRAs) throughout the life of the project. Indirect costs will not be
reimbursed if NICRAs have expired or if documentation (i.e., the federally approved rate
letter) is not provided. Complete AKSSF indirect requirements are available at
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=akssf.policies.
XI.
Match Budget
ADF&G
100 Personnel
200 Travel
300 Contractual
400 Supplies
500 Equipment
Total Direct Costs
FY11
$40,898
$0
$0
$1,149
$0
$42,047
FY12
$18,550
$0
$0
$0
$0
$18,550
FY13
$20,788
$0
$0
$0
$0
$20,788
FY14
$16,040
$0
$0
$0
$0
$16,040
Total
$96,276
$0
$0
$1,149
$0
$97,425*
*Match budget shows more match than is required for this project.
Total required ADF&G match (35%): $88,031
Match Budget Narrative:
FY11
Line 100: Personnel
 One FB III (PCN 11-1032, Anderson) will provide managerial oversight, oversee
facility and daily operation of the Chignik weir, and assist in logistics: 2 months
@ $8,578/month = $17,156.
 One FB I (PCN 11-1419, Nichols) will provide logistics, direct weir personnel in
beach seining and ASL sampling and escapement enumeration at the weir, and
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assist in DIDSON operation during the June testing period: 2 months @
$8,318/month including 7.5 OT/week = $16,636.
 One FWT III (PCN 11-1591, Bear) will construct tripods, assist in sonar
deployment and operation in June, maintain skiffs, and provide logistic support: 1
month @ $7,106/month including 7.5 OT/wk = $7,106.
Total FY11 Personnel: $40,898
Line 400: Supplies
1000 watt portable generator to power the DIDSON and laptop at the sonar site: $1,149
FY12
Line 100: Personnel
One FB II (PCN 11-1419, Nichols) will direct weir personnel in beach seining and ASL
sampling at the weir and provide logistical support to sonar crew and management
presence and oversight during the late run: 2 months @ $9,275/month = $18,550.
FY13
Line 100: Personnel
One FB II (PCN 11-1419, Nichols) will direct weir personnel in beach seining and ASL
sampling at the weir and provide logistical support to sonar crew and management
presence and oversight during the late run: 2 months @ $10,394/month = $20,788.
FY14
Line 100: Personnel
One FB II (PCN 11-1419, Nichols) will direct weir personnel in beach seining and ASL
sampling at the weir and provide logistical support to sonar crew and management
presence and oversight during the late run: 1.5 months @ $10,693/month = $16,040.
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