The WDFW uses an extensive assortment of numerical information to manage
the various salmon species. The most important of these data sets are
the numbers of adult salmon that return from the ocean and the numbers
that subsequently escape to freshwater to spawn. Escapement and runsize
data have been assembled into management data bases that are used for
preseason forecasting and inseason management.
Chum salmon management data bases typically represent the runs entering
inside waters (e.g., Puget Sound or the coastal bays and rivers), and
as such they do not include those fish harvested in the ocean or outside
of Washington waters. These data bases may also be missing some minor
inside runsize components, such as sport catch or escapements to minor
production streams, however, chum salmon management data bases typically
represent 90% or more of the total adult return.
Annual chum salmon escapement and runsize tables (in retrievable spreadsheet
form) are provided for the Puget Sound and Coastal regions. The estimates
include regional totals for wild and hatchery chum salmon escapements
and runsizes. Wild chum salmon are those fish actually produced by naturally
spawning parents, and the hatchery fish are the result of artificial enhancement
or recovery programs. The various data bases span different time periods,
because they reflect the years that have the most reliable escapement
and harvest information. Users of these data bases should be aware that
the numbers do not represent all returning fish.
All management data bases are subject to future revision. WDFW and the
co-managing Tribes are constantly upgrading escapement and catch estimates,
and are attempting to develop acceptable estimates of missing runsize
components. Management data bases are reviewed by the managers each year,
and past values may be changed if better information becomes available.
Users of these data bases should periodically check for changes.
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