Medel Presents Salmon Production from the Tongass National Forest at Weekly Chamber Luncheon

Weekly luncheons are held every Wednesday at noon. Enjoy great food, dynamic speakers, and exciting networking opportunities. Chamber luncheons are open to the public. Chamber members receive special member-only pricing.

Executive Lunch
Sitka Bingo
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Menu
Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
Rice
Vegetables
Soup & Salad Bar

Speaker
Ron Medel, Fisheries Program Manager
US Forest Service

Presentation
Salmon Production from the Tongass National Forest

Description
Alaska produces over 90% of the commercial salmon annually harvested along the Northeastern Pacific (our US Northwest). Southeast Alaska, while only 5% of the state land base, accounts for 35% of the harvest. The Tongass National Forest is a very large part of Southeast Alaska and produces a lot of salmon, but there are also harvested salmon from trans-boundary (Canadian) rivers, hatcheries, and other systems in Canada, Oregon, and Washington.  This begs the following question.
 
What are the numbers of wild salmon produced from Tongass National Forest lakes, rivers, and streams?

Using data and information from ADF&G and Fisheries Researchers, we can establish these numbers and annual harvest and value averages for the years 1994 through 2013, for the salmon produced from the Tongass National Forest.


Biography
Ron is currently the Fisheries Program Manager for the Tongass National Forest and has lived and worked in Southeast Alaska for 25 years.  Like most Fisheries Biologists, he started his fish interest by growing up fishing in both fresh and salt water along the Pacific.  He was introduced to salmon at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California.  After graduating, he went to work on several Northwest National Forests, before deciding it really could not get any better than working and living amidst the great, natural runs of salmon of Southeast Alaska