The primary objectives of the south fork stillaguamish fall chinook conservation program are 1) seine up to 900 wild juvenile chinook FRY from gravel bars on the south fork stillaguamish and its…

This $788,489 Project Grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Pacific Salmon Treaty Program (CFDA 11.438) supports the South Fork Stillaguamish Fall Chinook Conservation Program implemented by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians. The key objectives are to: 1) seine up to 900 wild juvenile Chinook fry from the South Fork Stillaguamish River and its tributaries, 2) obtain tissue samples to identify fall-run Chinook, 3) rear 450 fall-assigned juveniles to spawning adults with a 60% survival rate, 4) spawn the captive brood adults, and 5) raise and release 200,000 tagged and clipped Chinook smolts into the South Fork Stillaguamish River. The grant also supports collecting adult broodstock from the North Fork Stillaguamish River to supplement the Brenner Creek hatchery program and maximize genetic diversity. This comprehensive salmon conservation and restoration effort will contribute to the recovery of the threatened Chinook population in the Stillaguamish basin.

The primary objectives of the south fork stillaguamish fall chinook conservation program are 1) seine up to 900 wild juvenile chinook FRY from gravel bars on the south fork stillaguamish and its tributaries in early spring and transport fish to the tribes brenner creek hatchery. 2) obtain tissue samples from collected juveniles to determine population assignment with the goal of retaining 450 fall assigned juveniles. 3) rear fall-assigned juveniles to spawning adults, with an observed 60% FRY to adult survival rate. 4) spawn mature captive brood adults. 5) raise production fish for release as smolts into the south fork stillaguamish river. The release goal is 200,000 CWT tagged and adipose clipped smolts. 6) collect adult broodstock from the north fork stillaguamish as part of the harvey creek summer supplementation program. Genetically confirmed fall chinook from this program are incorporated into the brenner creek program. These fish provide a supplemental source of gametes to maximize genetic diversity and support the fall chinook program release goals.