Telemetry and Genetic Identity of Chinook Salmon in Alaska

About

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is an iconic species found throughout the North Pacific Ocean (NPO) and supports valuable subsistence, commercial and recreational fisheries. In addition to its importance to fisheries, Chinook salmon is an important food source for many apex marine predators, including endangered Southern Resident killer whales (Orcinus orca). Currently, coast-wide changes in Chinook salmon population demographics and production have been documented from western Alaska to California, including several Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) from the United States (U.S.) Pacific Northwest (PNW) that are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). The U.S. Navy (Navy) conducts at-sea training in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), including in the Temporary Maritime Activities Area (TMAA) and the Western Maneuver Area (WMA). As part of its Marine Species Monitoring Program, the Navy is interested in understanding the overlap of occurrence between populations of Chinook salmon, particularly the ESUs that are listed under the ESA, and specific Navy training activities. This is challenging, as relatively little is known about the at-sea distribution and behavior of Chinook salmon, despite the fact that most individuals reside in the ocean for the majority of their lives. Therefore, an improved understanding of the distribution and behavior of Chinook salmon in the marine environment is important when addressing potential interactions between this species and specific Navy exercises within portions of the TMAA and WMA.