Program monitors Kuskokwim salmon returns

David Orabutte

May 15, 2008 at 1:05PM AKST

Since 1998, local youth have helped monitor salmon returns at the George and Tatlawiksuk River weir projects through the Kuskokwim Native Association’s fisheries high school internship program.

The program seeks to increase local involvement in fisheries management and monitoring and build relationships among management agencies and local communities. It engages youth in fisheries field work and teaches them about fisheries science.

Through the internship program, the corporation hopes to develop future local fisheries biologists, provide job skills for local seasonal employment on fisheries projects, and build on fisheries information that can be used by students in their future as community or council members.

Students involved in these internships also share their knowledge, help to guide fisheries projects and increase the understanding of cooperating biologists and managers. Interns have local perspectives about their communities, the natural environment and fisheries management that they can teach fisheries biologists and technicians, who often are not from the Kuskokwim area.

“From personal experience, I can attest that working with the interns has improved my understanding of the culture, societal needs and ecological perspectives of local residents,” Alaska Department of Fish and Game fishery biologist Dan Costello said. “And I believe this benefits management agencies and improves people’s perception of fisheries research projects.”

A typical day includes counting salmon in a spawning stream or sampling fish for information that allows biologist to assess the age, sex, and size structure of the spawning populations.

Interns also might explore a fisheries topic of interest through reading and talking to biologists and technicians. They suit up in a dry suit and snorkel to observe fish in their underwater natural habitat. Then they might have some free time to explore around camp, swim or do other fun camp activities.

After completing their work, interns receive a $250 stipend and may earn school credit. In addition, interns gain valuable work experience and get an exciting summer adventure.

Many area science teachers have shared their support for the program and expressed how excited their students are to apply to the internship program.

“The exposure to real field science is a great experience. I encourage all my students to take advantage of this opportunity,” Mark Dammeyer of George Morgan Senior High School in Kalskag said.

The Kuskokwim Native Association is recruiting for 20 high school students to spend one week working with the association and Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff on salmon research and management projects.

The interns will help with daily fisheries data collection and complete science curriculum assignments focused on fisheries management and ecology.

For students who were enrolled in the program in previous years, a new high school fisheries “intern 2” position is available with expanded duties and compensation to build on skills learned during the first internship.

To receive an application package or learn more about the program, call KNA fisheries biologist Mike Thalhauser at (907) 675-4384.

The program is open to all Kuskokwim area youth from 14-19 years old. Association members receive preference.

The Native association receives support from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff, the federal Office of Subsistence Management, the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative and Bering Sea Fisherman’s Association and Coastal Villages Region Fund for weir operations.

The following high school students completed the internship program in 2007: Brandon Macar, Raven Stewman, Michelle Bobby, Rochelle Sakar, Carmen Zaukar and Melissa Avakumof from Crooked Creek; Bruce Morgan II from Aniak; Robert Gusty from Stony River; Jeffery Hunter from Chuathbaluk; Vernon Zaukar and Lucas Kozevnikoff from Russian Mission; and Tyler Samuelson, Josie Anderson and Charlie Vanborg from McGrath.

David Orabutte is on staff at the Kuskokwim Native Association.