The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has conducted surveys since the 1960s to estimate the salmon escapement (number of salmon returning to spawn) of various rivers in the Norton Sound region. Observation methods have included ariel surveys, boats, , towers, fish weirs, as well as observers on foot to consolidate the fish counting data used to manage salmon stocks more effectively. Weirs and counting towers are the most reliable survey methods. Since the 1990s, NSEDC has worked with ADF&G and Kawerak, Inc. on escapement surveys throughout the region. In fact, NSEDC's very first fisheries project was funding ADF&G interns in 1994. In the last few years, NSEDC conducted the surveys on the Eldorado River, the Snake River, the Pilgrim River, and the North River.
Salmon counting towers and fish weirs allow fishery managers (ADF&G) to make decisions during the harvest season to allow both subsistence and commercial fishermen to maximize their harvest without endangering the long-term health of the salmon stock. In 2009, NSEDC continued to operate the weirs on the Snake, Eldorado and Pilgrim rivers and the counting tower on the North River. Some of the results of these projects can be seen in the graphs below.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has conducted surveys since the 1960s to estimate the salmon escapement (number of salmon returning to spawn) of various rivers in the Norton Sound region. Observation methods have included ariel surveys, boats, , towers, fish weirs, as well as observers on foot to consolidate the fish counting data used to manage salmon stocks more effectively. Weirs and counting towers are the most reliable survey methods. Since the 1990s, NSEDC has worked with ADF&G and Kawerak, Inc. on escapement surveys throughout the region. In fact, NSEDC's very first fisheries project was funding ADF&G interns in 1994. In the last few years, NSEDC conducted the surveys on the Eldorado River, the Snake River, the Pilgrim River, and the North River. 
Salmon counting towers and fish weirs allow fishery managers (ADF&G) to make decisions during the harvest season to allow both subsistence and commercial fishermen to maximize their harvest without endangering the long-term health of the salmon stock. In 2009, NSEDC continued to operate the weirs on the Snake, Eldorado and Pilgrim rivers and the counting tower on the North River. Some of the results of these projects can be seen in the graphs below.
