Norton Sound subdistrict 1 (Nome) chum salmon stock status and action plan, 2010

In response to guidelines established in the Policy for the Management of Sustainable Salmon Fisheries (SSFP; 5 AAC 39.222), the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF) classified the Norton Sound Subdistrict 1 (Nome) chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta stock as a stock of management concern at its September 2000 work session. An action plan was developed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and acted upon by the BOF in January 2001. The SSFP directs ADF&G to assess salmon stocks in areas addressed during the BOF regulatory cycle to identify stocks of concern and, in the case of Subdistrict 1 chum salmon, to reassess the stock of concern status. In 2003, ADF&G recommended continuation of this classification as a stock of management concern, which was supported by the BOF at its January 2004 meeting. A majority of chum salmon escapement goals were achieved in Subdistrict 1 from 2002-2006. Hence, in January 2007, the BOF classified Subdistrict 1 chum salmon stock of yield concern. Since 2004, escapement has been met in Subdistrict 1, except for 2009, when it fell 7% short of the lower end of the escapement goal range of 23,000-35,000. The recent yield remains below historical levels despite use of specific management measures. Based on the definitions provided in the SSFP, ADF&G recommends continuing the stock of concern classification of Subdistrict 1 chum salmon as a stock of yield concern. The department recommends that management continue under the current plans through the next board cycle.