Atlantic Salmon Recovery Framework

Briefing for Regional Director November 1,

2010

Agenda Introductions and Overview of the

Framework Stock Assessment Action Teams

Marine and Estuary Action Team Connectivity Action Team Genetic Diversity Action Team Conservation Hatchery Action Team Freshwater Action Team

Recovery Plan Wrap Up

The Need for Change Significant changes in the program – river

specific stocking, ESA Complicated and burdensome structures

and processes – TAC, RT, Agencies Struggles with Policy and Priority Recommendations from SEI Review (2007)

Recovery program lacks a clear conceptual framework

Key elements of the recovery program need to be better integrated

The Proposal – a new Atlantic Salmon Recovery

Framework and Governance Structure

Framework Clear Goals and Objectives Identification of Key Limiting Factors Adaptive Management Actions and

Associated Assessment to address Limiting Factors

Governance Structure Minimal layers

Framework Development

Clear and Agreed Biological Objectives Strategies to achieve the biological

objectives Actions to Achieve the Strategies Structured Decision Making to be

more explicit and transparent Process is Adaptive – continuous

learning and adjustment, with a commitment to accountability and tracking of progress toward agreed biological objectives

Approach – Baseline and Alternatives (Portfolios)

Started by identifying existing agency Atlantic salmon resources and how they are spent

Then looked at different ways to configure the overall salmon program (using the same fixed amount of resources) and compared what those alternatives would achieve in terms of salmon recovery

Supplemental “Salmon” Funds

Important to note that the framework only obligates the direct salmon funds

Additional agency commitments EX: NOAA ARRA, Open Rivers Section 6 Funding

SQ Marine

CH + EC

CH + FW

FW connect + diadromou

s

M + EC

Marine Survival

10% 40% 5% 5% 5% 30%

Estuary / Coastal Survival

6% 4% 20% 3% 16% 25%

Genetic Diversity

5% 5% 8% 10% 5% 4%

Adults through CH

32% 32% 50% 50% 32% 20%

Adults through FW smolt production

25% 17% 15% 30% 40% 19%

Population Assessment

22% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2%

Action team templates

For each action: Life stage impacted (egg, fry, parr, smolt, marine,

FW adult) Geographic impact (SHRUS) Timeframe of benefits Resourcing (cost including FTEs) Social/political issues Possible genetic risks Possible benefits to other species Possible risks to other species Short term benefits (prevent extinction) Long term benefits (long term recovery)

Status Quo(P1)

Weights/objectives

(P7)

Extra $5M Extra $10M

program wide - once

Extra $10M program wide -

ongoing

Marine 10% 10% 30% 20% 30%

Estuary/Coastal

6% 16% 30% 60% 30%

Genetic Diversity

5% 7% 10% 5% 10%

Conservation Hatchery

32% 40% 15% 0% 15%

Freshwater 25% 25% 15% 15% 15%

Population Assessment

22% 2% 0% 0% 0%

New Portfolios

Summary

Portfolio 7 preferred portfolio Has all 3 agencies working toward

agreed goals and objectives, commitment to monitoring actions and tracking progress

Has the greatest potential to increase distribution and abundance

Signatories Approved 3-level governance structure

Policy Board(NMFS RA, USFWS RD, MDMR Commissioner)

Management Board (DMR, NMFS, USFWS, Tribal Rep.)

Action Team Action Team Action Team Action TeamAction TeamAction Team

Action Teams

Connectivity – Rory Saunders Genetic Diversity – Meredith Bartron Conservation Hatchery – Paul

Santavy Freshwater – Oliver Cox Outreach – Peter Steenstra Marine & Estuary – Tim Sheehan

Monitoring & Assessment

Two major types Integrated into each individual action –

intended to answer whether the action had the anticipated effect, and what effect it had on the overall biological objectives (distribution and abundance)

Monitoring of Progress toward the 4 biological objectives

Annual Schedule 2011 – 2014: 5 Year Implementation Cycle Begins

January – March Winter Recovery Meeting of the Policy Board, Management Board, and

Action Team Chairs Open to the Public Written and verbal reports provided by each Action Team on previous

years implementation activities Report on population status and progress toward biological objectives Review and agree plan for the coming year of implementation Annual Report on Framework Implementation prepared

July – September Mid-year meeting held Action Team Chairs highlight any obstacles to meeting end of year

targets Any new findings or information is presented and discussed

The Action Team Chairs and Management Board will hold periodic meetings as needed to resolve issues, when appropriate joint meetings will be held