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C. Priority Stocks and Recovery Goals

Because NOPLE encompasses two entirely different regions containing completely different stocks (Puget Sound (WRIAs 18 & 19), and Coastal (WRIA 20)), it is not feasible to prioritize stocks across the entire region. Stocks that do not occur in the Coastal region are of a lower priority for recovery there than stocks that do occur in the Coastal region, especially when these stocks are crucial to the Coastal economy -- and vice versa.

Because of this and the philosophy and goals set forth in Mission and Philosophy (Section A), NOPLE has chosen a prioritization process that designates as priority NOPLE stocks those stocks that are the priority stocks within NOPLE-wide priority watersheds. To determine the priority stocks in each watershed, see the relevant Watershed Page.

NOPLE-wide priority watersheds (tier 1 and 2) are watersheds with either ESA listed stocks OR highly productive and diverse non-ESA listed stocks. Watersheds without ESA listed stocks or lower productivity and less diversity are tiered either 3 or 4. See Prioritized Watersheds.

Below are the important NOPLE stocks, which are priority stocks in the watersheds where they occur.

ESUs/DPS that are ESA listed as threatened. Click on links for specific recovery goals per watershed:

ESUs/DPS that are of great ecological, economic, or cultural importance OR are unique to the NOPLE geographic area. Recovery goals are to achieve genetically diverse, self-sustaining, wild salmon populations that will support healthy ecosystems and ceremonial, subsistence, recreational, and commercial fisheries. See individual Watershed Pages for more information about priority actions and areas necessary to recovery these stocks based on priority habitat factors that limit these priority stocks.

  • Washington Coast Chinook. Washington Coast Chinook are a priority to NOPLE because they are of particular importance to the economy and culture of local tribal and non-tribal communities especially in WRIA 19 and WRIA 20. Washington Coast Chinook was extirpated (locally extinct) in north coast areas but this area may be repopulating, and this trend needs to be encouraged.
  • Lake Pleasant Sockeye. Lake Pleasant Sockeye is an unique ESU that is currently relatively strong but is particularly vulnerable because of its extremely limited distribution. Protecting this stock is a priority to NOPLE because of its uniqueness and vulnerability.
  • Olympic Peninsula Coho. Peninsula Coho is considered a priority stock to NOPLE because Coho fisheries have and continue to be important to the economy of local tribal and non-tribal communities. WRIA 19 in particular has tremendous Coho potential, as can be glimpsed from 2000 escapement values. These runs must be recovered to their full potential. There are also some non-mixed wild stock runs remaining in WRIA 20 that are particularly productive, such as the Dickey system. These stocks must also be recovered and protected.
  • Olympic Peninsula Steelhead. The Olympic Peninsula Steelhead are considered "some of the world's finest fishing" and are primary to the Olympic Peninsula economy. Declining numbers of wild steelhead led the WDFW Fishing commission to seek a "wild steelhead moratorium" in fall of 2004 which was met with extensive public comments. Olympic Peninsula Steelhead is a priority stock to NOPLE because of its obvious importance to the local economy and to sports fishermen everywhere.
  • Lake Crescent Trout (Crescenti Cutthroat and Beardslee Rainbow). The Crescenti trout is unique to Lake Crescent. This once anadromous cutthroat trout was land locked by massive earth-slides that dammed the eastern outflow of what was then a lower Lake Crescent. Since that time, this fish, as is with the Beardslee trout, has specialized to the lake's unique environment. Crescenti trout swim up Barnes Creek to spawn, while Beardslee trout swim to the Lyre River outflow to lay their eggs. The Beardslee trout also are a unique form of rainbow trout, native to Lake Crescent, and found nowhere else on earth. They spawn in late winter and early spring in only one small area of the Lyre River, near the outlet of the lake. These stocks are a priority to NOPLE because of their uniqueness and particular vulnerability due to their limited distribution.
  • Chum. According to local fisheries biologists, all Western Strait Chum stocks deserve to be designated as depressed or even as critical under SaSI.  The Chum are considered a priority stock to NOPLE because they form the basis of the food chain, they make up the most widely distributed stock, and they contribute the most in biomass and tonnage.  Chum were extirpated in north coast areas but this area may be repopulating, and this trend needs to be encouraged.
  • Pinks. The Dungeness population of pink salmon is unique in the Puget Sound area. The last great year of record, in 1963, over 400,000 pinks returned. The runs previous to record keeping were thought to be much higher Since 1963 the stocks have dwindled, in some years only 2,500 returning. The population of pink salmon is entirely native wild stock with no hatchery influence. The Pinks are a priority stock to NOPLE because of their tremendous productivity potential.

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