July 15 Weekly update

While returns to SE Cove and Deep Inlet continue near or on forecast, Hidden Falls chum broodstock remains our primary concern at this time.  Few fish have pushed into the inner bay and what spotty information we have received does not indicate a large volume outside of Kasnyku Bay.   While we continue to monitor the numbers returning to Hidden Falls it is becoming clear we need to begin implementing back up brood stock options for Hidden Falls chum.  Our first two options utilizing DIPAC or Port Armstrong brood stock look to be marginal options at best.  DIPAC is already looking at moving fish from Amalga Harbor to Gastineau Hatchery and the Port Armstrong return is not looking strong either.  NSRAA began preparing for this type of shortage over 3 years ago and we now have the Hidden Falls chum brood stock returning to both Gunnuk Creek and Medvejie Hatchery.  While the numbers are not large, as all returning fish are 3 year olds, we will be taking eggs from both Gunnuk Creek and Medvejie returning Hidden Falls stock chum to make up any shortfall at Hidden Falls.  Unfortunately as the numbers of fish returning to those two facilities are small, this also means we will likely need to close for Hidden Falls brood stock one of the few bright spots in the SE Alaska seine fishery,  SE Cove.  We will be collecting otolith and sex ratio information first thing Friday morning from the Thursday catch at SE Cove.  Decision will be whether to close SE Cove Sunday or let it go one more time and close next Thursday.  We have the ability to utilize up to 55,000 adults (~55 million eggs) from SE Cove.  This summer is the first year NSRAA has placed a port sampler in Petersburg to help gather otolith and scale samples from the developing fisheries at SE Cove and Thomas Bay.  The ability to gather reliable information real time from Petersburg is critical for decisions like this one.  While I continue to be hopeful that Hidden Falls will still produce sufficient brood stock the reality looks less likely with each passing day.