The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has conducted surveys since the 1960s to estimate the salmon escapement (the number of salmon returning to spawn) to various rivers in the Norton Sound region. Observation methods have included aerial surveys, boats, towers, fish weirs and observers on foot to gather the 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 in 1994 was to fund ADF&G interns to work on counting projects. We have continued to fund interns for ADF&G and are proud of providing these opportunities for young adults in the Norton Sound region. In the last few years, NSEDC has also taken over the management of some of the Norton Sound counting projects.

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 2011, NSEDC will continue 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 summer of 2011 will also see the initiation of a new counting project on the Inglutalik River near Koyuk.

For more information contact:
Kevin Keith
Fisheries Biologist
Kevin@nsedc.com

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Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation
420 L Street, Suite 310, Anchorage, AK 99501, Phone 1-907-274-2248, Fax 1-907-274-2249