Bonneville Subpopulation Status and Trends

Information and data adapted from Parker, B., T, Rien, B. James, R. Beamesderfer. 2013. Review Draft Columbia Basin White Sturgeon Planning Framework. Portland, Or.

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The Bonneville Reservoir subpopulation, which has increased substantially in recent years, has the highest abundance (334,424 fish > 24 inches) and density (16.1white sturgeon/acre and 149 pounds/acre) of any white sturgeon population in the Lower Mid-Columbia Management Unit. Between 2006 and 2009, managers estimated that 129,024 white sturgeon (>24 inches) were recruited into the subpopulation. This population increase resulted in a density increase from 9.9 white sturgeon/acre in 2006 to 16.1/acre in 2009. Increases in abundance and density can be attributed to harvest management actions including reduced harvest quotas and size regulations that protect spawning-size fish from being harvested.

Monitoring results indicate that there is annual survival of juvenile white sturgeon through their first year of life (i.e., recruitment) and that the variability is less than what is observed for other subpopulations. Recruitment index values in 2009 remained within the five-year range.

Annual recruitment of fish beyond their first year coupled with conservative harvest regulations have resulted in the subpopulation being characterized by managers as stable. Subsequently, this subpopulation provides, through catch quotas, limited commercial and recreational harvest opportunities. During 2012, the combined annual catch estimate for the Bonneville commercial and recreational fisheries was 4,039, which was significantly greater than the 10-year average of 915 fish.