Here is some additional information. I guess you can interpret some of the following information as you wish, but here are the facts! At least as I know them!
The last sheet is a 2005 report from Alaska concerning the SEAK Troll Fleet, so when you look at it, it is NOT the current TAC, but for reference on what and whose Chinooks they were harvesting. Once you look at it you can see one reason this was a good year! I got to catch some of our good old Washington fish!
Alaska did just publish their 2009 Bristol Bay Salmon Season Summary. I warn you, if you look at it you will probably cry, but here it is:
http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/ ... bpos09.pdfConcerning the migration questions, this may help with the answers, so here you go! It is as current of information I can find! If anyone has more current information, please share!
There are two distinct types or races among Chinook salmon, which have evolved:
“One race, described as a "stream-type" Chinook, is found most commonly in headwater streams of large river systems. Stream-type Chinook salmon have a longer freshwater residency,
and perform extensive offshore migrations in the central North Pacific before returning to their birth, or natal, streams in the spring or summer months. Stream-type juveniles are much more dependent on freshwater stream ecosystems because of their extended residence in these areas. A stream-type life history may be adapted to areas that are more consistently productive and less susceptible to dramatic changes in water flow. At the time of saltwater entry, stream-type (yearling) smolts are much larger, averaging 3 to 5.25 inches (73-134 mm) depending on the river system, than their ocean-type (subyearling) counterparts, and are therefore able to move offshore relatively quickly.”
These are the fish that will be in the lower center area of the chart and they will be inside the Continental Shelf, also as the chart shows. Some of all our fish do migrate there. They swim with the currents and Chris I agree with 100%, "In fact many travel in large circle patterns through the Pacific.", I believe that has been proven several times! Which is also probably why we think the are moving? They are, they are following the currents and the bait! A lot of these fish from Washington are the ones that never migrate past the north end of VI and do reside on the WCVI banks.
“The second race, called the "ocean-type" Chinook, is commonly found in coastal streams in North America. Ocean-type Chinook typically migrate to sea within the first three months of life, but they may spend up to a year in freshwater prior to emigration to the sea.
They also spend their ocean life in coastal waters. Ocean-type Chinook salmon return to their natal streams or rivers as spring, winter, fall, summer, and late-fall runs, but summer and fall runs predominate. Ocean-type Chinook salmon tend to use estuaries and coastal areas more extensively than other pacific salmonids for juvenile rearing. The evolution of the ocean-type life history strategy may have been a response to the limited carrying capacity of smaller stream systems and unproductive watersheds, or a means of avoiding the impact of seasonal floods. Ocean-type Chinook salmon tend to migrate along the coast. Populations of Chinook salmon south of the Columbia River drainage appear to consist predominantly of ocean-type fish.”
These are our biggies! The primary “ocean-type” Chinook along the coasts based on the SEAK Troll, are mostly from Oregon and Washington coasts, Upper Columbia River summer and fall stocks, Thompson River (during the month of July), and SEAK. Chinook from the Oregon and Washington coasts and Thompson River are the larger, more mature and the largest. Chinook from the Upper Columbia summer and fall stocks are present as both immature and maturing. Chinook salmon from the Lower Columbia, Willamette River, Puget Sound, coastal British Columbia, and SEAK were noted as smaller, less mature individuals. They also travel with the currents in a large circular pattern, but can also be found very close to shore!
The whole article is here:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/fis ... stributionTHIS THE CHINOOK MIGRATION ALL STOCKS, ALL COUNTRIES!
THIS IS ONLY THE SEAK CHINOOK TROLL HARVEST! FOR 2005, PRIOR TO THE NEW TREATY
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