Contents

Columbia River Chum Salmon

What's New? Introduction Chum Salmon Tales Respect! Honne Names the Salmon Whatever It Takes Recipe Challenge Life History Timeline for Life History, Growth, and Survival Chum Salmon Ages Embryonic Stages Juvenile Stages Adult Stages Chum Salmon Ecosytems Ocean Climate Effects Identifying Chum Salmon Viewing Chum Salmon Kennedy Creek Clarks Creek Piper's Creek Chum Salmon Colors Puget Sound Chum Salmon Introduction Stock Status Summer Chum Recovery Plan Summer Chum Recovery Planning Update Chum Management Management Chronology Fisheries Data Coastal Chum Salmon Introduction Stock Status Chum Management Fisheries Data Columbia River Chum Salmon Introduction Stock Status Recovery Efforts Fisheries Technical Reports Databases Glossary

Status of Columbia River Chum Salmon Stocks Salmon and Steelhead Stock Inventory (SASSI) In 1993, the State and western Washington Treaty Tribes published the first state-wide comprehensive inventory of salmon and steelhead stocks. In total, SASSI identified 435 different stocks of salmon and steelhead, and the current status of each stock was reported. For chum salmon, 72 stocks were described, only three of which were located in the Columbia River region. The status of the 3 Columbia system chum stocks is one in the "healthy" category (Hardy Creek), and two rated as "depressed" (Grays River and Hamilton Creek). In general, these stocks can be considered to be stable, but of very low abundance. The low numbers of chum in the individual stocks makes them extremely vulnerable to any changes in the factors that control their success. For additional information on Washington State chum salmon stocks and status and on newly instituted protective measures see: Salmonid Stock Inventory (SaSI) Overview 1992 Salmon and Steelhead Stock Inventory (SASSI) "Bluebook" NMFS-ESA In December of 1997, the National Marine Fisheries Service published a coast-wide chum salmon status review. This was the first step in determining if any chum salmon population groups were candidates for listing as "threatened" or "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act. For the Columbia River region chum salmon populations a single Evolutionarily Significant Unit - ESU was identified: the Columbia River ESU. NMFS concluded that this ESU is presently at significant risk of extinction. In March of 1999, NMFS formally listed the Columbia River ESU as a "threatened" chum salmon population. For additional information on the NMFS chum salmon species review, or on salmon and the Endangered Species Act chum salmon stocks and status see: NMFS Chum Salmon Species Review NMFS Endangered Species web page

Columbia River Chum Recovery Efforts