2008-455-00

Sturgeon Management

The long-term goal of the Yakama Sturgeon Management Project (2008-455-00) is to facilitate restoration of viable populations and fisheries for white sturgeon in mid-Columbia River reservoirs. Phase I (2009-2010) of the Yakama Sturgeon Management Project (2008-455-00): will accomplish the following:
1. Assist in the development of a recovery, research and monitoring strategy, and hatchery Master Plan for depleted sturgeon populations in FCRPS portions of the mid-Columbia (below Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project) and lower Snake rivers.
2. Continue to develop critical expertise and refine effective sturgeon culture methodology for spawning and rearing of white sturgeon using tribal staff, facilities and resources, and captive broodstock currently maintained on the Yakama Reservation at the Prosser and Marion Drain Hatcheries.
3. Identify facility and staff requirements and costs of hatchery alternatives for use in research/monitoring and hatchery Master Plan considerations (based on #2 and #3 above).
4. Develop a detailed implementation plan for production and rearing of juvenile sturgeon as appropriate for use in experimental research and hatchery feasibility evaluations (as identified in #1 above).
5. Assist in the development and implementation of effective experimental research and hatchery feasibility evaluations (as identified in #1 above).
This work complements other ongoing sturgeon research and restoration efforts and directly addresses the objective of the 2004 NPCC Subbasin Plan to increase sturgeon abundance in the lower mid-Columbia mainstem by: 1) continuing to develop hatchery technology and methodologies, 2) evaluating the need for hatchery supplementation. Over 20 years of dedicated research and management has failed to date to restore natural productivity or opportunities for harvest of mid-Columbia River sturgeon impacted by the hydropower system. Policy choices make it clear that future sturgeon restoration efforts will involve some use of hatchery sturgeon either as experimental subjects for research of limiting factors or for supplementation of unproductive natural populations upstream from Bonneville Dam. Hatchery measures including experimental applications and supplementation are being developed in a comprehensive strategic and Master Plan effort initiated under the MOA by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (Project 2007-155-00). The YN project does not propose building new hatchery facilities or releasing hatchery-reared sturgeon during Phase I. Phase I identifies hatchery evaluation and development work to be completed concurrent with CRITFC comprehensive strategic and hatchery master planning which will clarify appropriate applications and objectives for hatchery sturgeon in the lower mid-Columbia River (downstream from Priest Rapids). Phase II work of the YN project will depend on the outcomes of the CRITFC strategic and master planning effort and YN Phase I results. YN Phase I involves short term (one-year) contracts with the Bonneville Power Administration and does not include the development of significant new facilities. YN Phase II might include significant new facilities contingent on the outcome of the strategic and master planning process. Work will be completed by Yakama Tribal fishery program staff in coordination with fishery co-managers from other treaty tribes and the states. Hatchery activities will occur primarily at established Tribal Facilities at Prosser and Marion Drain Hatcheries, and may involve limited temporary modifications.

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2008

2032

Peter Lofy

Implementation - Project Status Report

Province	Subbasin	%
Columbia Cascade	Columbia Upper Middle	100.00%

Artificial Production

Supplementation

Sturgeon, White - Lower Columbia River

Anadromous: 60.0%   Resident: 40.0%   Wildlife: 0.0%

RM&E Plus Cat. Review - Submitted and Reviewed (Public Tags)
WA - by WE Location Expenditure (Public Tags)
RME/AP Categorical Review (Public Tags)
Hatchery O&M (Public Tags)
Council Recommended Projects (Public Tags)
2020 Resident Fish and Sturgeon review (Public Tags)

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