Download or read book Alaska Fisheries Enhancement Annual Report 2015 written by Mark E. Stopha and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 82 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This annual report reviews the Alaska salmon fisheries enhancement program. The success of this program is attributable to the development of statutes, regulations, and policies that require hatcheries to be located away from important natural salmon stocks and use local broodstock sources. In addition, to maintain genetic diversity, Alaska hatcheries do not selectively breed for size or other trait and use large numbers of broodstock for production. Nearly all hatchery releases are marked so that fisheries managers can determine the strength of wild stocks in the catch and manage wild stocks conservatively. Currently, 29 hatcheries are operating in the state. Most (25 facilities) are operated by private non-profit (PNP) corporations, which are funded primarily from the harvest and sale of a portion of hatchery returns. Two additional hatcheries are operated by the state, one research hatchery by NMFS, and one hatchery by the Metlakatla Indian Community. The 2015 salmon season was the second highest harvest in state history, with a 264 million fish commercial harvest comprised of the third highest catch ever for wild stocks (170 million fish) and the second highest catch for hatchery stocks (93 million fish). The statewide exvessel value of the commercial hatchery harvest in 2015 was about $125 million, and the first wholesale value of the commercial hatchery harvest was about $350 million. Hatchery production in Alaska is intended to supplement, and not replace, wild stock production. There are no stocks of concern in Prince William Sound or Southeast Alaska, where most hatchery production occurs, indicating that adequate escapements to wild stock systems are being met over time in areas with the most hatchery production. Abundance-based wild stock management priority and habitat protection reflect the state's commitment to conservation of wild stocks and provide the foundation of its salmon fisheries enhancement program.