The goal of this project is to thoroughly review and, where possible, improve, or make suggestions of how to improve, current stock assessment methods and estimates for nooksack spring chinook salmon

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $202,280 Project Grant under the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Pacific Salmon Treaty Program (CFDA 11.438) to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife. The goal of this 22-month project, starting September 1, 2024, is to thoroughly review and, where possible, improve current stock assessment methods and estimates for Nooksack spring Chinook salmon. Key objectives include assessing escapement methodologies, identifying factors affecting estimate differences, developing recommendations for improving escapement estimation, reviewing methods for estimating coded-wire tags and pre-spawn mortality, and implementing process improvements to expedite abundance and tag recovery estimates. All tasks will be completed in coordination with the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe.

Specific objectives are to 1) assess current escapement methodologies, including carcass recovery expansions, redd expansions and transgenerational genetic mark-recapture (tgmr); 2) identify factors associated with differences in estimates systematically and year to year 3) develop recommendations for improving escapement estimation methods; 4) review existing methods of estimating coded-wire tags on the spawning grounds and develop recommendations for improving these methods; 5) review existing methods of assessing pre-spawn mortality impacts (e.g., rates and composition by location and timing) throughout the basin and develop recommendations for improving these methods; 6) identify and implement process improvements to expedite the estimation of escapement abundance and CWT recoveries. All tasks will be completed in coordination and collaboration with the lummi nation and nooksack indian tribe.