Coastal Steelhead Pre-season Planning Town Hall

2020/21 Coastal Steelhead Pre-season Planning

James Losee, Coastal and Puget Sound Regional Fish Program Manager

Department of Fish and Wildlife

• All callers will be muted upon entry. • You can type a question through the Q&A function or ask a question by “raising your

hand.” If you’re calling in you can raise a hand by dialing *9 on your phone, or if your calling from a computer you can find the hand icon at the bottom of your screen.

• When you are called on for a question or comment, we encourage you to speak up and provide comments live. To speak you will need to unmute yourself by using the mute button on your computer or mobile device, or enter *6 if you’re calling from a land line.

• If you have a technical issue during the webinar, please drop us a note in the Q&A and we will help you through it.

• Expect and accept non-closure during question and feedback portion.• Assume positive intentions from those speaking.

Zoom Directions and Etiquette


Agenda

• BogachielHoh R.

Queets/Clearwater R.

Quinault R.

Humptulips

Chehalis R.

Willapa Bay

• Hoh Tribal

• Cook Creek

• Humptulips

• Wynoochee• Satsop

• Skookumchuck

• Naselle

Steelhead Management Background

Steelhead Biology/Stock Assessment

Trends and Goals

2020/21 Forecasts

Potential Fisheries Options

Quillayute R.

• Salmon R.• L. Quinault

Hoko R.


Agenda

Hoh R.


Quinault R.

Humptulips

Chehalis R.

Willapa Bay



Trends and Goals

2020/21 Forecasts


Quillayute R.

Hoko R.


Steelhead Management-Constraints

• Limited in-season tools

• Effort shift uncertainty

• Recent history of overforecasting

• Tribal comanagement

• Escapement goals


Steelhead Management-Key TermsWild steelhead-Steelhead that were produced in the natural environment.Hatchery steelhead-Steelhead that were produced in a hatchery.Run- A group of anadromous fish on its return migration, identified by species, race and water of origin.Escapement-Number of steelhead surviving to the spawning grounds or hatchery.Redd-Spawning nest.Runsize-Number of steelhead returning to the freshwater. Escapement + Harvest.Survival-Number of steelhead produced by each parent spawner. Recruit per spawner. Forecast-Predicted number of adult steelhead returning in future years.Integrated hatcheries-Genetically integrated with natural population.Segregated hatcheries-Genetically segregated from natural population.


Steelhead Management PlanPolicy guidance from Statewide Steelhead Management Plan. Provide a framework of policies, strategies and actions that will lead to achievement of goals. Goals include restore and maintain:

• Abundance• Productivity• Distribution• Diversity


Steelhead Management PlanPolicy guidance from Statewide Steelhead Management Plan. Provide a framework of policies, strategies and actions that will lead to achievement of goals. Goals include restore and maintain:

• Abundance• Productivity• Distribution• Diversity

Specific Abundance Guidelines:Runsize less than escapement goal: Minimize mortality to wildstock(s); in no case exceed a 10% impact from all fisheries.Runsize Greater than escapement goal: Assure escapement goals are met.


Agenda

Hoh R.


Quinault R.

Humptulips

Chehalis R.

Willapa Bay



Trends and Goals

2020/21 Forecasts


Quillayute R.

Hoko R.


Biology/Stock Assessment

Spawning Grounds

Smolt outmigration

Marine

Hatcheries

Fresh Water

Fishery Monitoring

Ocean Phase

Hatchery Releases

Collaborative Research

Light et al. 1989

Spawning Ground Surveys

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Prop

ortio

n of

Run

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16HatcheryWild

Fishery Monitoring


Return Year1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Num

ber o

f Spa

wne

rs

02000400060008000

100001200014000160001800020000

Steelhead Biology-Escapement

Hoquiam Wishkah Wynoochee Satsop Cloquallum Black Lower Tribs Skookumchuck Newaukum Upper Mainstem Upper Tribs East Fork South Fork West Fork U Cheh - Skook New.

Return Year1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Num

ber o

f Spa

wne

rs

02000400060008000

100001200014000160001800020000

Chehalis River


Agenda

Hoh R.


Quinault R.

Humptulips

Chehalis R.

Willapa Bay



Trends and Goals

2020/21 Forecasts


Quillayute R.

Hoko R.


Return Year1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Num

ber o

f Ste

elhe

ad

400060008000

100001200014000160001800020000

Steelhead Trends-Chehalis R.

Runsize

Return Year1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Num

ber o

f Ste

elhe

ad

400060008000

100001200014000160001800020000

Return Year1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Num

ber o

f Ste

elhe

ad

400060008000

100001200014000160001800020000

Runsize

RunsizeEscapement GoalRunsizeEscapement GoalEscapement


Steelhead Trends-Willapa Bay

Return Year1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Num

ber o

f Ste

elhe

ad

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

RunsizeEscapement GoalEscapement


Steelhead Trends-Humptulips R.

Return Year1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Num

ber o

f Ste

elhe

ad

0

2000

4000

6000

8000RunsizeEscapement GoalEscapement


Steelhead Trends-Upper Quinault R.

Return Year1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Num

ber o

f Ste

elhe

ad

0

1000

2000

3000

4000



Steelhead Trends-Queets/Clearwater R.

Return Year1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Num

ber o

f Ste

elhe

ad

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000



Steelhead Trends-Hoh R.

Return Year1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Num

ber o

f Ste

elhe

ad

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000 RunsizeEscapement GoalEscapement


Steelhead Trends-Quillayute R.

Return Year1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Num

ber o

f Ste

elhe

ad

0

5000

10000

15000



Steelhead Trends-Hoko R.

Return Year1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Num

ber o

f Ste

elhe

ad

0

200

400

600

800



Agenda

Hoh R.


Quinault R.

Humptulips

Chehalis R.

Willapa Bay



Trends and Goals

2020/21 Forecasts


Quillayute R.

Hoko R.


Humptulips Wild Steelhead

Spawning Year19

7519

8019

8519

9019

9520

0020

0520

1020

15

Surv

ival

Rec

ruit/

Spaw

ner

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

2021 Forecasts-Survival


2021 Forecasts-Ocean Conditions

Ocean Conditions (NPGO)

Ocean Entry Year

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020

NPG

O (J

an.-M

arch

)

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

Coastal Steelhead Survival

Ocean Entry Year

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020

Surv

ival

(Rec

ruit/

Spaw

ner)

-0.6

-0.4

-0.2

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

Joh & Lorenzo 2017


2021 Preliminary Forecast*

*forecasts are subject to change given continuing discussions with tribal comanagers

System Forecast Goal Wild Steelhead Above Escapement GoalWillapa 3862 4206 -344Chehalis 6600 8600 -2000Humptulips 1066 1600 -534Upper Quinault 1725 1600 125Queets/Clearwater 3563 4200 -637Hoh 2903 2400 503Quillayute 9276 5900 3,376


Agenda

Hoh R.


Quinault R.

Humptulips

Chehalis R.

Willapa Bay



Trends and Goals

2020/21 Forecasts


Quillayute R.

Hoko R.


Status Quo

• Declining abundance trends in majority of coastal rivers.• Chehalis and Humptulips: Failure to meet escapement goal in at least 3

of last 4 years and exceedance of 10% ER in two of the last 3 years.• Willapa Bay: Failure to meet escapement goal in last 5 years. ER <10% • Queets: Failure to meet escapement goal and exceedance of 10% ER in

last 3 years.• Hoko: Failure to meet escapement goal in 2 of last 4 years. No estimate

of ER.• Forecasts below escapement goals in majority of coastal rivers.

Description: Release all wild steelhead. Hatchery steelhead daily limit 2-3, Gear type: Variety of regulations including barbless hooks, no bait, single hook and no fishing from a floating device in select waters. Closure day: range from last day in February to April 15th, Rainbow Trout:Catch and release or minimum size 14”.


Potential Options

Option #1: Early Closure

Option #2: Quillayute River Only

Option #3: Gear and Harvest Restrictions

Option #4: Coastwide Closure


Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Prop

ortio

n of

Run

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16

Early HatcheryWild

Option #1. Early Closure

Pros: – Targets early-returning hatchery

releases.– Protects peak of wild run.

Cons: – Limited harvest of late-timed

hatchery steelhead.– Displaces anglers targeting wild

steelhead.– Disproportionately effects early end

of the wild run.

Description: Closed to all fishing March 1 to April 15.

? ? ?


Option #2. Quillayute only

Pros: – Protects stocks at highest risk.

Cons: – Decreased angler experience.– Uncertainty around effort shifts.– Concerns from tribal comanagers.– Displaces some user groups and economies.

Quillayute R.

Description: Closed to fishing except the Quillayute R. and tributaries

? ? ?


Option #3. Gear Restrictions

Description: Bait restriction, no fishing from a floating device in select waters, release rainbow trout.

Pros: – Maximizes time on the water.– Consistently protects steelhead in all areas, times and at all life

stages.– Allows for harvest of early and late-timed hatchery steelhead.

Cons: – Displaces some user groups.– Enforcement challenge.


Option #4. Coastwide Closure

Pros: – Maximum protection for wild steelhead.

Cons: – No access to hatchery origin returns.– Closure on rivers where escapement goal is likely to be met (Quillayute R.). – Impact to economy of coastal communities.– Displaces important advocates, anglers.

Description: Closed to fishing in coastal rivers December 1-April 15



1. Early Closure

2. Quillayute River Only

3. Gear and Harvest Restrictions

4. Full Closure

? ? ?

? ? ?


Questions? Feedback?

We’re especially interested in • Questions on the data presented by WDFW staff• Feedback on the management options we’ve outlined

ZOOM Reminders:• You can type a question through the Q&A function or ask a question by “raising your hand.”

If you’re calling in you can raise a hand by dialing *9 on your phone, or if your calling from a computer you can find the hand icon at the bottom of your screen.

• To speak you will need to unmute yourself by using the mute button on your computer or mobile device, or enter *6 if you’re calling from a land line.

• If you have a technical issue during the webinar, please drop us a note in the Q&A and we will help you through it.


Coho Returns vs. Steelhead Returns


0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

1994

-95

1995

-96

1996

-97

1997

-98

1998

-99

1999

-00

2000

-01

2001

-02

2002

-03

2003

-04

2004

-05

2005

-06

2006

-07

2007

-08

2008

-09

2009

-10

2010

-11

2011

-12

2012

-13

2013

-14

2014

-15

2015

-16

2016

-17

2017

-18

2018

-19

Wild

Run

size

Chehalis River

Steelhead

Coho ÷10

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

1994

-95

1995

-96

1996

-97

1997

-98

1998

-99

1999

-00

2000

-01

2001

-02

2002

-03

2003

-04

2004

-05

2005

-06

2006

-07

2007

-08

2008

-09

2009

-10

2010

-11

2011

-12

2012

-13

2013

-14

2014

-15

2015

-16

2016

-17

2017

-18

2018

-19

Wild

Run

size

Quillayute River

Steelhead

Coho

Coastal Steelhead Pre-season Planning Town Hall

Documents

Transcript of Coastal Steelhead Pre-season Planning Town Hall