The death of 220,000 king salmon smolt in three years has led the state to re-examine its contract with the regional aquaculture association.

An estimated 170,000 king salmon smolt, nearly 70 percent of fish being transported to a fish pen in Lutak Inlet, died in late June during the 17-hour trip.

The program is run by the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association.

“Obviously…it’s a significant loss,” said Judy Lum of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Lum, who coordinates sport fish enhancement programs for Southeast, said the Lutak project is under examination. “We are discussing modifications… Part of the discussions are to make sure, for one, that these problems don’t reoccur.”

Steve Reifenstuhl, general manager for NSRAA, said the smolts were killed after a net was sucked into an open hatch where the salmon were housed. The net apparently crowded out the young fish, he said, as fish in a second hatch survived the trip.

It was the first year NSRAA had moved king salmon in the vessel that was used. It had previously been used to move chum salmon.

“We can perform and do fine next year. …We know how important the project is to the community of Haines and so it’s disappointing to us,” Reifenstuhl said.

The project is in its third year of a 10-year contract. The contract is for 250,000 king salmon per year at $150,000.

NSRAA also experienced high mortality in 2008, with 50,000 dying in transport, Reifenstuhl said.

The salmon are raised for 10 months before being transferred to the Lutak holding pens, where they spend several weeks before being released to the Lynn Canal. During the time in the pen, they should grow from seven to 20 grams, Lum said.

This year’s growth is “going very well” with the fish reaching 12.8 grams in their fourth week, said Lum.

In addition to looking at transport issues, Fish and Game is trying to enhance survival rates, possibly by holding the fish in the pens longer, she said.

This year won’t be a total loss, said Lum, as returns will overlap because fish from a given year stay in the ocean for varying numbers of years before returning to Lutak.

Brian Elliott, a biologist for sport fish in Haines, said a longer time in captivity could increase survival rates. He said the Division of Sportfish would monitor for king salmon from the program straying to local rivers.

Elliott said local returns of king salmon have been strong for 2010, with Pullen Creek “above average.”

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