The primary project objectives of the south fork stillaguamish fall chinook natural stock restoration program are to 1) seine up to 900 wild juvenile chinook FRY from gravel bars on the south fork…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $1,653,582 Project Grant under the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Pacific Salmon Treaty Program (CFDA 11.438) to the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians. The purpose of this award is to implement the South Fork Stillaguamish Fall Chinook Natural Stock Restoration Program. Key activities include: 1) seining up to 900 wild juvenile Chinook fry from the South Fork Stillaguamish River and transporting them to the tribe's hatchery; 2) sampling the juveniles to retain 450 fall-assigned individuals; 3) rearing the fall-assigned juveniles to spawning adults with a target 60% fry-to-adult survival rate; 4) spawning the mature adults and rearing their offspring for 6-8 months; 5) releasing 200,000 age-0 smolts into the South Fork Stillaguamish each spring; and 6) collecting adult broodstock from the North Fork Stillaguamish to supplement the captive breeding program. The award period runs from December 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026.

The primary project objectives of the south fork stillaguamish fall chinook natural stock restoration program are to 1) seine up to 900 wild juvenile chinook FRY from gravel bars on the south fork stillaguamish and its tributaries (when river temperatures are suitable, in early spring) and transport to the tribes hatchery. 2) sample juveniles for tissue to determine population assignment with a goal of retaining 450 fall assigned juveniles. 3) rear fall-assigned juveniles to spawning adults, with an observed 60% FRY to adult survival rate. Rates of maturation vary across brood years with fish becoming mature between one and five years of being held in captivity. 4) spawn mature adults and rear their offspring for 6 to 8 months. 5) release 200,000 age zero smolts into the south fork stillaguamish each spring. 6) collect adult broodstock from the north fork stillaguamish as part of the summer supplementation program. This provides a supplemental source of gametes in case adults held in captivity do not ripen at the same time or we are lacking an adequate number of one SEX or the other to maximize genetic diversity.