Research and Development

As part of the Governor's $50 million Fisheries Revitalization Strategy, the State of Alaska dedicated over $1 million for important research and development projects related to the salmon industry. These projects and key investigators include:

2006 Alaska Salmon Quality Survey
Principal Investigator: Randy Rice, Technical and Quality Coordinator, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
Contact Information: (907) 465-5560
Start and End Dates: 01/01/06 to 09/30/06
Total Revitalization Funding Amount: $30,000
Total Cost:  $35,000

At the request of the Alaska Fisheries Revitalization Strategy, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute conducted the 2006 edition of the Alaska Salmon Quality Survey.  The Survey, first done in 1991, occurs every five years and measures the change in the salmon industry's quality handling practices. 

The survey results indicate an increase in quality handling practices since the most recent report in 2001.  Fishermen, processors and tenders are all committing more time and energy to improving the overall quality of their salmon product.

To review the survey, visit the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institutes web site here at:
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/industry/qc/index.html

Seafood microwave technology:
Principal Investigator: Dr. Scott Smiley, Director Kodiak Fishery Industrial Technology Center
Contact Information: 907-486-1500
Total Funding: $44,000

The Kodiak Fishery Industrial Technology Center, along with key participation from Ocean Beauty, and Washington State University tested an emerging microwave technology that would be used as a substitute for traditional canning production. Following an initial review, it was determined the project would not be completed prior to the required date funds needed to be used. The project continues under different funding sources.

Related Links:
Kodiak Fishery Industrial Technology Center

Through the City of Seward, the State of Alaska has dedicated $420,000 to the former Qutekcak Shellfish Hatchery, and now Alutiiq Shellfish Hatchery to assist with operating costs. The State will work with stakeholders to pursue the long-term success of the facility.

Yakutat Dive Fishery Survey
Principal Investigator: Marc Pritchett
Contact Information: (907) 465-4244
Start and End Dates: 12/01/04 to 06/30/06
Location: Yakutat, Alaska
Total Funding: $56,626
Status: Complete

The survey was divided into two sub-projects, both of which are completed: Yakutat Green Sea Urchin and Horseclam Survey and Yakutat Sea Cucumber Survey. The Yakutat Green Sea Urchin and Horseclam Survey spent $20,000 to investigate harvestable volumes of sea urchins and horse clams in the Yakutat area, but n ot enough species were found to run a viable, sustainable commercial fishery. The Yakutat Sea Cucumber Survey spent $36,626 to investigate harvestable volumes of sea cucumbers in the same area. It was concluded there were p otential commercial quantities of sea cucumbers to conduct a small limited fishery. Work is currently underway between the Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fisheries Association (SARDFA) and Yakutat divers to see if a harvest proposal will be put before the Alaska Board of Fish. There is currently no fishery management plan for the Yakutat Area, but it has been projected a maximum of 31,000 pounds of sea cucumbers could be harvested in the area every three years. There is a draft performance report available for the period ending December 31, 2005.

Related Links:
Sea Cucumbers
Sea Urchins

Dive Fishery Survey Methodology
Principal Investigator: Marc Pritchett
Contact Information: (907) 465-4244
Start and End Dates: 12/01/2004 to 06/30/2006
Location: Southeast Alaska
Total Funding: $15,000
Spent to Date: $13,726

This project is essentially completed. ADF&G conducted an independent review of its dive fishery methodology to determine if it is generating accurate volume information for purposes of setting allowable geoduck clam harvests in Southeast Alaska. The purpose was to compare and contrast methods with those methods utilized in British Columbia and Washington State and provide directions for future geoduck research studies. There was a contract negotiated and funds expended by the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) for dive fishery survey methodology studies. A research paper by UAS Professor Christopher Siddon was published. The project will conduct a final one day survey with the remaining funds in early summer 2006.

Southeast Alaska Geoduck Enhancement
Principal Investigator: Marc Pritchett
Contact Information: (907) 465-4244
Start and End Dates: 12/01/04 to 06/30/06
Location: Southern Southeast Alaska
Funding Amount: $107,000
Spent to Date: $0

This project is still in the planning and agency permitting stages and no funds have yet been expended. Working with Southeast commercial divers, ADF&G will engage in a geoduck clam enhancement project in an attempt to increase the biomass for additional harvest in southern Southeast Alaska. Enhancement work is scheduled to proceed in spring 2006. Agency permitting applications are still being prepared and submitted. A draft Geoduck Enhancement Plan was completed on March 17, 2006 which outlines a proposed partnership between ADF&G and SARDFA. The main goal of the project is to ensure sustainability of the geoduck resource and ensure long term success of the fishery.

Not much research has been conducted on spawning, recruitment, show factors and geoduck harvest rates in Alaska, which increases the importance of enhancement for ensuring the long term sustainability of the fishery. A potential enhancement site has been identified on Gravina Island in Ketchikan, and Geoduck seed stocks from Alutiq Shellfish Hatchery near Seward could be planted there in summer 2006.

Related links:
Clam Fisheries in Alaska

Area M Catch Composition Research
Principal Investigator: John H. Clark
Contact Information: (907) 465-6106
Start and End Dates: 12/01/04 to 06/30/06
Location: Alaska Peninsula
Total Funding Amount: $25,000
Status: Complete

The project has been completed and a final performance report is pending.

Bristol Bay Branch River Research
Principal Investigator: Doug Eggers
Contact Information: (907) 465- 2604
Start and End Dates: 08/01/04 to 12/31/05
Location: Bristol Bay, Alaska
Total Funding Amount: $70,000
Status: Complete

This project has been completed and its results are detailed in three comprehensive final performance reports. The first is a review and analysis of available data concerning historic escapement strength of sockeye salmon in the Alagnak (Branch) River system, including: 1) documentation or development of estimates of total escapement during 1955-2004; 2) analysis of distribution of fish spawning areas within the Alagnak River system; and 3) documentation of historic escapement goals for the stock.

Tower counts of escapement strength are provided for 1955-1976 and 2002-04. Aerial survey counts for 1977-2001 are expanded into total escapement estimates. Distribution of sockeye salmon among the major spawning sites of the Alagnak River system was documented from aerial surveys conducted in most years from 1944-2004. Project conclusions include recommendations for more emphasis on system escapement needs and implementing an effective area fishery management regime. The second report contains statistical data on sockeye salmon smolt age, length and weight from the 2005 out migration on the Kevichak, Nonvianuk and Alagnak rivers. The third report prepared by Bristol Bay Science Research focuses on pre-spawning mortality and egg retention as a component of density dependent populations.

Feasibility of Raising Cockles
Principal Investigator: Craig Farrington
Contact Information: (907) 465-6154
Start and End Dates: 02/01/05 to 12/31/06
Location: Prince of Wales Island
Total Funding Amount: $35,000
Spent to Date: $14,336
Remaining: $20,664

This project was contracted to the Alaska Shellfish Growers Association (ASGA) and is ongoing as of May 2006. ASGA has identified Pacific cockles as a promising new species for potential development by Alaska's aquatic farming industry. The project was designed to test the feasibility of farming cockles in gear widely used by oyster farmers and on the intertidal beaches permitted for clam farming, while conducting preliminary processing and marketing research and testing seed production procedures. There is speculation that a commercial market can be developed through culturing of cockles and transport of live or frozen product.

There is an ASGA report dated August 15, 2005 which outlines growth trails initiated by using the first batch of cockle spat produced by Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery. Cockle spat and wild cockles of different sizes were planted using various culturing techniques. This experiment yielded preliminary information on growth rates, densities and other parameters. It was suggested if the spat performed well enough, it might be possible to design a processing and marketing trail for frozen cockle product by mid 2006. The most recent ASGA report dated February 1, 2006 summarizes growth rates, mortalities, hatchery efforts for producing large numbers of cockle spat, and marketing and processing projections. The report indicates if the hatchery is successful in producing a large volume of spat, enough product will be produced to support processing and marketing trails. The report states changes to the overall scope of work may be necessary.