Subsistence harvest estimates are lacking in the chignik area

Surveys conducted by ADF g in 2012 indicate that 61 chinook salmon were harvested for subsistence, however state subsistence permits only indicate that 37 chinook salmon were harvested. Federally qualified subsistence users (fqsu) are issued on average three federal subsistence permits a year, and the reported harvested per year on federal subsistence permits varies from between zero to five. Subsistence fish harvest is likely going underreported due to lack of knowledge of reporting requirements, lack of access to subsistence permits, or both.to obtain reliable estimates of subsistence salmon harvested in federally managed waters, the USFWS and the chignik intertribal coalition will partner to hire and train a seasonal fisheries technician. This technician will be trained to issue federal subsistence permits to qualified subsistence users, and will conduct weekly surveys from may through november, interviewing fqsu about subsistence harvest effort. The chignik coalition will play a key role in this project. Without their partnership and experience in the area IT would be difficult for the USFWS to be able to collect the harvest information in a timely manner. The employee hired by the chignik coalition will have local connections with the village, which will help with weekly collection of fqsu harvest information a USFWS technician would have more difficulty gathering subsistence harvest information. The coalition will gain experience in managing employees in these types of projects and will be better suited to compete for funding of similar projects in the future.