To effectively manage fisheries, prioritize salmon enhancement projects and maximize the use of salmon for subsistence and commercial fishing, accurate numbers are a necessity. Norton Sound Fisheries Research and Development (NSFR&D) operates salmon escapement projects throughout the region with counting towers, weirs and sonar projects. Knowing how many pinks, chums, cohos, sockeyes and Chinooks enter the region’s streams and rivers helps to ensure we have fish in the future and allows for informed management decisions. This, in turn, provides more fish for people’s drying racks and more money in commercial fishermen’s wallets.
NSFR&D operates the following escapement or enumeration projects:
- North River Tower
- Shaktoolik River Tower/Sonar
- Inglutalik River Tower
- Fish River Tower
- Eldorado River Weir
- Snake River Weir
- Pilgrim River Weir
Along with supplying vital information for area fisheries, the enumeration projects also fall in line with Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation’s (NSEDC) mission of providing economic development. Each year, residents are hired as fisheries technicians for each tower and weir project. As many technicians are college students, the projects not only give valuable experience to those new to the workforce, but much-needed income for residents’ educational pursuits and career goals.
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