Effects of jet boats on salmonid reproduction in Alaskan streams

Abstract

Freshwater angling has increased dramatically in recent years in southwestern Alaska, and jet boat operators serve some of these anglers. Resources agencies are under pressure to regulate use of jet boats in waters that support spawning populations of salmonids, but they need more information regarding these potential effects. This thesis describes the methods and results of experiments to determine the effects of water turbulence from passing boats on embryo mortality and behavior of spawning adults. Field experiments on sockeye salmon were conducted in American Creek (in the Naknek drainage in Katmai National Park and Preserve) in 1992 and 1993. Laboratory experiments on rainbow trout were conducted at Fort Richardson Hatchery. These two species were viewed as surrogates for all species of genus Onorhynchus.