Version and Date (e.g., Draft April 2004)
Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study
Statement of Work and Budget FY2005

BPA Project Number:  2003-009-00
BPA Project Title: Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study
Contract Number:  20173
Contract Title: PI 2003-009-00 Canada-USA Shelf Salmon Survival Study  
Performance/Budget Period: October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005

The primary objective of this study is to obtain a single coast-wide set of data that will allow US and Canadian scientists to identify broad regions of good or poor salmon growth, and to define the factors affecting growth and survival differences among regions.  A secondary goal will be to establish which specific stocks of salmon remain resident in the areas of poor growth, and therefore to develop some understanding of why marine survival may differ between stocks of salmon.

Information generated from this study will quantify and allow the detection of impacts of differing ocean productivity on salmon growth and survival.  Documenting the extent of changes in growth, along with changes in physical features of the ocean will help to improve our understanding of how climatic events in the ocean can impact important fish resources.  More specifically, the samples collected will provide an initial assessment of whether different stock groups (including ESA listed stocks) predominate in regions of poor growth and survival.

The working hypothesis of this research is that the marine survival of salmon is determined by the productivity of the ocean environment that salmon encounter during their first year at sea. In particular, salmon experiencing faster growth are expected to have lower mortality rates. Similarly, salmon that accumulate higher energy and lipid reserves prior to the onset of winter are also expected to exhibit lower overwinter mortality than those in poor conditions. As ocean productivity is affected by climate conditions, the marine survival of salmon is also expected to vary among years in relation to climate and ocean conditions. Finally, ocean productivity is expected to vary among different regions of the ocean. Hence, salmon production may also vary among stocks depending on their migration behavior.

The objectives of this research will be achieved by (1) collecting juvenile salmon and oceanographic data from the west coast of Vancouver Island to southeast Alaska during spring/summer, fall, and winter, (2) assessing the growth and and feeding conditions of juvenile salmon collected from these areas, (3) assessing the ocean productivity of these areas, and (4) reconstructing the migration of specific stocks using DNA analyses. These areas are frequently utilized by juvenile Chinook and coho salmon from the Columbia River during their first years in the ocean. To obtain a broader perspective of the effects of ocean conditions on juvenile salmon, this research will be coordinated with concomitant sampling programs conducted by NMFS from California to Washington and in Alaska. The results of this research will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and data reports, and will be presented at national and international conferences.

The work element for this project fall into 5 different objectives

Objective 1 - Monitoring
WE A: Collect/Genera/Validate Field and Lab Data - Ocean Surveys of Marine Conditions and Juvenile Salmon
WE B: Collect/Genera/Validate Field and Lab Data - Oceanography
WE C: Collect/Genera/Validate Field and Lab Data - Biological Attributes of Juvenile Salmon

Objective 2 - Data analysis
WE D: Analyze/Interpret Data - Nutrient Limitations
WE E: Analyze/Interpret Data - Ocean Ecology of Salmon
WE F: Analyze/Interpret Data - Salmon Bioenergetics Models

Objective 3 - Communication and Publication
WE G: Disseminate Raw and Summary Data - Data Reports
WE H: Outreach and Education - Presentations at Scientific Conferences
WE J: Produce/Submit Scientific Report Findings - Primary Publications

Objective 4 - Coordination
WE I: Coordination - USA-Canada Collaboration

Objective 5 - Administrative
WE K: Produce Status Report - Quarterly Reports via Pisces
WE L: Produce Annual Report - Annual Report
WE M: Manage and Administer Projects - Prepare New SOW for FY06