Ocean survival and exploitation of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) stocks from the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Juvenile tagging and escapement enumeration was conducted during 1985-1988 in nine streams within a 150-km section on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Fourteen coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) stocks of wild, hatchery, and mixed origin were monitored for ocean survival and exploitation patterns. Estimates of smelt-to-adult survival ranged from 0.5 to 23.1%. Survival rates were highly variable across years and stocks. No stock or stock type had consistently higher survival, but one hatchery stock exhibited consistently lower survival. Average exploitation rates were about 80% each year, and were as high as 96% for some stocks. Exploitation rates were not consistently higher or lower for any stock or stock type, but hatchery reared coho tended to be subject to higher exploitation. Log-linear models were used to assess the effects of various factors on survival and exploitation. Certain hatchery rearing practices had a large influence on survival. Genetic factors, run timing, and stream location had large influences on exploitation rates. An assessment of covariation in survival and exploitation rates showed no indication of a high level of similarity among stocks from adjacent streams or among stock types in this region.