State plans Chinook salmon symposium Oct. 22-23 in Anchorage

ANCHORAGE — In response to this year’s low Chinook (king) salmon runs, Alaska Department of Fish and Game will host a Chinook salmon symposium — “Understanding Abundance and Productivity Trends of Chinook Salmon in Alaska” — from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 22 to 23 in LaPerouse Hall at the Egan Convention Center.

The symposium will review and add to a draft document titled “Alaska Chinook Salmon Knowledge Gaps and Needs,” which was prepared by fisheries scientists and salmon research and management staff.

The review includes information about current stock assessment, in-season escapement estimation, run reconstruction, harvest accounting and local traditional knowledge programs for Chinook salmon fisheries across the state.

“We recognize there are significant gaps in our knowledge of Chinook salmon runs, and that we need to increase our overall research and stock assessment capabilities in many regions of the state,” wrote Divisions of Commercial and Sport Fish Chief scientists Eric C. Volk and Robert A. Clark in a cover letter to the draft document.

People who can’t attend the meeting also may email comments on the draft document by Nov. 9 to dfg.chinookanalysis.comments@alaska.gov.

For more information, an agenda, copy of the draft report, or to register, visit 1.usa.gov/SWBtsR.