July 23-Return Update

Since closing for cost recovery Deep Inlet summer chum returns have continued at a steady yet slow pace and the summer run will likely come in at 200,000 adults, the lower range of our pre-season forecast. Through July 23^rd we have harvested 40% of our cost recovery goal and have seen a small uptick in harvest volume the last few days. There are early indications that the fall chum returns are beginning to enter the Deep Inlet area. We were able to sample the chum bycatch in the Redoubt Bay common property seine harvest on July 20^th. Of the marked hatchery fish 63% were summer chum, with the fall run chum making up the remainder. Based upon current progress, and our preseason forecast for the fall chum return to Deep Inlet, it is anticipated that our cost recovery goal will be met in stat week 32. We will continue to update our cost recovery progress bar on our home page daily.

Similar to Deep Inlet, summer chum returns to east Baranof locations have remained relatively slow yet steady. Chum harvest in Thomas Bay has just passed the 50,000 fish mark for the year and our last sample on July 19^th indicated a 39% male ratio and a 6.6lb avg weight. We are currently tracking with our preseason forecast of 115,000 total return and historically harvest peaks this week (Stat wk 30). Chum cost recovery has continued at SE Cove and we will achieve our preseason harvest goal. Returns to SE Cove appear to be winding down and the overall return will likely be slightly below our forecast of 105,000.

Hidden Falls remains closed to common property harvest for chum brood stock collection. Egg takes are underway and we are approximately one-third of the way through our goal of 180 million eggs. Based upon current brood estimates in Kasnyku Bay an additional 50,000 chum are needed to complete egg takes and future openings this season are unlikely. Interestingly for the Hidden Falls chum return this year the peak harvest occurred the first week and there has been a slow weekly return decline since then, with no typical mid-return peak. Currently Hidden Falls is tracking just below our total return estimate of 409,000 adults.