The Shaktoolik River has long been an important salmon river for Norton Sound commercial and subsistence fishermen. The Shaktoolik subdistrict supports the second largest salmon harvest in Norton Sound.

NSEDC has been developing a project to count the salmon return on the Shaktoolik River using sonar technology. We are particularly proud of this project because the crew running the sonar is made up entirely of local residents. Currently, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) manages the salmon fishery in the Shaktoolik subdistrict based on the returns to rivers in the Unalakleet subdistrict. With an effective counting project on the Shaktoolik River, ADF&G will be able to more efficiently manage that subdistrict's fishery to the benefit of both the salmon populations and the local fishermen.

Much of the salmon counting in the Norton Sound area is done with weirs and towers. However, the Shaktoolik River is not particularly suitable for either of these options. Not clear enough to see through, the tannic water makes counting fish from a tower difficult, if not impossible; and frequent flood events on the river would wreak havoc with a weir. Because of these challenges, sonar is the best option for the Shaktoolik River.

NSEDC has been using a DIDSON sonar, which produces high-quality images that minimize counting errors. This project began in 2007 with some feasibility studies. During the summers of 2008 and 2009, we focused on training crews to use the sonar equipment and the associated software. This has been quite successful. We have trained a fully local crew that is now knowledgeable in the use of the equipment, and we have been getting accurate counts of the number of salmon going up the Shaktoolik River.

Sonar counts alone, however, do not tell us which species of salmon are going up the river. To determine the species composition of the salmon return, regular test fishing is necessary at the sonar site. In 2010, we had a crew test-fishing throughout the summer. Using the data they collected, we have been better able to determine the numbers of each species of salmon returning to the river. Our goal for the summer of 2011 is to be able to provide this information to ADF&G as the summer progresses so that they can more efficiently manage the local fishery.

For more information contact:

Wes Jones
Fisheries Biologist
Wes@nsedc.com

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