Fisheries Management

Large Fraser sockeye run doesn’t make up for decades of poor fishing

A massive run of Fraser River sockeye salmon this year provided a dream fishery for tribal fishermen, but can’t begin to make up for decades of poor returns that have devastated the tribal fishing economy, tribal salmon managers say.

More than three times as many sockeye returned to the Fraser as were expected this year, but tribes were unable to reach their harvest goals because of a diminished fishing fleet, delayed realization of the run’s magnitude, diversion of the run through Canadian waters and overloaded processors.

The run of 34 million sockeye was the largest since 1913, but is not a sign of a resurgence. (more…)

Continue ReadingLarge Fraser sockeye run doesn’t make up for decades of poor fishing

Suquamish Hopes for Early-Timed Chinook Run At Gorst Soon

A Gorst Hatchery juvenile chinook before being released into Gorst Creek.

In a few years, fishermen might be able to hit the water for chinook in Sinclair Inlet a month earlier than they can now.

Hatchery chinook generally return to the inlet near Gorst in August and September. An effort to expand the run timing would have fish swimming into Sinclair Inlet in July. (more…)

Continue ReadingSuquamish Hopes for Early-Timed Chinook Run At Gorst Soon

Squaxin Island Tribe Tracking Coho in Sherwood Creek

  • Post author:
  • Post category:News

ALLYN – A pair of smolt traps is helping the Squaxin Island Tribe get a better picture of natural salmon production in the Sherwood Creek watershed.

“The Sherwood watershed is one of the most complicated systems in the tribe’s treaty-reserved fishing area,” said Joe Peters, fisheries management biologist for the Squaxin Island Tribe. Tribal biologists are unsure about how many coho are rearing annually in Shumacher Creek, a tributary to Sherwood Creek, which flows into Mason Lake. Sherwood Creek flows out of Mason Lake.

One smolt trap – a safe and effective devices for catching and counting juvenile salmon as they migrate to sea – is installed at the mouth of Schumacher Creek in the upper watershed just above Mason Lake. Another is operating near the mouth of Sherwood Creek close to where it enters Puget Sound.
(more…)

Continue ReadingSquaxin Island Tribe Tracking Coho in Sherwood Creek

Tribes ready for a new relationship

OLYMPIA – Indians in the Pacific Northwest feel a new era of respect and collaboration is here, and we’re ready to get to work with the new administration.

We were especially encouraged to hear President Obama’s pledge to honor “treaty obligations that are owed to the first Americans,” when he introduced Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar as the new Secretary of the Interior. (more…)

Continue ReadingTribes ready for a new relationship

Sport fishermen benefit from short tribal fishery

Sharp cuts in fishing by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians this year will allow sport fishermen to start fishing for chinook on the Puyallup River two weeks early. "The tribe is going to be off the water more this year to reduce impacts on returning chinook, and this gave more opportunity for sport fishermen," said Chris Phinney, the tribe's salmon fisheries management biologist. The cuts by the tribe were agreed to last spring during the tribal and state salmon fisheries management process.

Continue ReadingSport fishermen benefit from short tribal fishery

Annual Report

  • Post author:
  • Post category:

This report is an overview of the natural resources management activities of the treaty tribes in western Washington. The tribes and their Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission are active in all…

Continue ReadingAnnual Report