Residents of the kuskokwim area harvest five species of salmon, in addition to many other species of freshwater and marine fishes, for subsistence uses within the boundaries of the yukon delta…

Residents of the kuskokwim area harvest five species of salmon, in addition to many other species of freshwater and marine fishes, for subsistence uses within the boundaries of the yukon delta national wildlife refuge and surrounding areas. The kuskokwim river subsistence salmon fishery is one of the largest in the state in terms of user participation and amount of salmon harvested. Currently there are no annually required subsistence harvest permits or reporting requirements for salmon harvests.household harvest data are collected through the use of an annual harvest survey. On average, surveys are conducted among households in 27 different kuskokwim area communities each fall. This project provides the only estimate of the total subsistence salmon harvest in these areas. Since 1988, ADF & G has monitored subsistence salmon harvests, primarily through household surveys and to a lesser extent harvest calendars and postcard surveys. Beginning in 1999, ADF & G partnered with orutsararmiut native council (ONC) of bethel to help collect this information. Data from this project are used in every aspect of salmon resource management, including preseason forecasting, inseason management, postseason assessment, and the definition of escapement goals. Data from this project lay the foundation for investigating new ways in which salmon forecasts and inseason projections are accomplished, and to help establish forecasting tools and escapement goals. Harvest data are also used by various state and federal advisory committees, local organizations, and tribal entities to help inform subsistence users and also facilitate managers' decision-making process.