Presented by Henry Quinlan On behalf of the

1. Lake SuperiorLakewide Juvenile Lake Sturgeon Index SurveyA Coordinated Science and Monitoring Initiative Success Story Presented by Henry Quinlan On behalf of the Aquatic Community Committee / Lake Superior Technical Committee and the Lake Superior Lake Sturgeon Work Group USFWS Ashland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Ashland, Wisconsin

2. ACC Approach • Reviewed ACC Work Plan Priorities • Listed Potential Monitoring Projects • Identified Potential Participants/Contributors • Id Potential Lead Persons

3. ACC/LSTC MeetingJuly 2009 Reviewed CSMI Workshop • Lower Trophic Level/Prey Fish Monitoring Integration • USGS (Vinson/Yule), EPA (Kelly), EC (Richardson), DFO (Pratt) • AIS Prevention and Monitoring • EPA (Kelly), OMNR (Greenwood), MIDNR (Eberhardt), USFWS (Quinlan), DFO (Pratt) • Native Species Rehabilitation • Lake Sturgeon, Brook Trout, Walleye • ??

4. Lake Sturgeon Coordination • Lake Sturgeon Subcommittee – 1994-2000 • Status of Stock Report - 1997 • Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Plan - 2003 • Assessment Strategies • Lake Sturgeon Work Group formed – 2005

5. Lake Superior Lake Sturgeon Work Group • Members • Tom Pratt, DFO • Bill Mattes, GLIFWC • Ed Baker, MI DNR • John Lindgren, MN DNR • Eric Berglund, OMNR • Peter Stevens, WI DNR • Cheryl Kaye, USFWS SLM • Henry Quinlan, USFWS • Participants • Tim Wilson, BRNRD • Paul Ripple, BMIC • Brian Borkholder, FDL • Seth Moore, GPNRD • Gene Mensch, KBIC • Chad Abel, RCTF • Andy Edwards, 1854 TA • Andrew Ecclestone, A/O FRC • Nancy Auer, MTU • Kim Scribner, MSU • Roger Greil, LSSU • Amy Welsh, VTU • John Pagel, Ottawa NF • Joshua Schloesser, USFWS • Coordinate lake sturgeon rehabilitation efforts among agencies and set priorities to guide rehabilitation efforts

6. Lakewide Juvenile Index Survey • Survey Objectives: • Describe the current lakewide status of juvenile lake sturgeon in Lake Superior (ages ~4-15) • Establish an index of relative abundance for juveniles to monitorrecruitment, year class strength, and population trends over time • Describe and compare the biological characteristics of juveniles within and among locations and across time

7. Survey Protocol Development • Tributary Locations • Site Selection • Sampling Procedures • Biological Data Collection

8. Implementation • Standardized Equipment and Data Collection • 54 Gill Nets at 48K – for Standardization of Gear • Data Collection and Fish Tagging Equipment • Datasheet and recording consistent for all locations • Coded wire tag readers • PIT tag injectors and readers • Tissue and age sample collection • Central Repository

9. 2011 Contributors Metis Nation

10. 2011 Progress and AnalysesLocations and Relative Abundance CPUE (Number / 1,000 Ft Net / Night)

11. Sturgeon Rehabilitation Plan Assessment Strategies • Develop a lakewide protocol for sampling various life stages • Estimate recruitment of juveniles to the adult population annually or at regular (<5 yr) intervals • Develop an index of abundance for major tributaries • Coordinate collection, analysis, and reporting of information among agencies and establish a uniform marking/tag recapture database for all

12. Binational Program Ecosystem Goals 4 of 9 Strategic Outcomes Addressed • Diverse and healthy self-sustaining native plant and animal communities exist in the L.S. basin • A program is in place to monitor the abundance, distribution, and health of plant and animal populations and communities in the Lake Superior basin • Native species populations are at appropriate levels throughout the Lake Superior basin • Partnerships among natural resource management agencies, environmental agencies, and non-agency stakeholders are strengthened and broadened

13. Success-Performance Measures • Binational Program Ecosystem Goals • Sturgeon Rehabilitation Plan Assessment Needs • Binational Program BEC Directive • 22 Entities Meaningful Contributors • Multiple Funding Sources • Protocol Being Utilized in lakes Huron, Ontario, and Michigan • Draft Report Completed for Participant Review

14. Future of the Lakewide Juvenile Index Survey • 2013 Report by the Work Group • Review Recommendations/Changes to Protocol • Established Sample Locations • Periodicity of Repeat Efforts? • 5-Year CSMI Rotation • 3-Year Rotation (like siscowet surveys)

16. Aquatic Community Committee Membership(Great Lakes Fishery Commission LSTC) Co-Chairs: Henry Quinlan, USFWS Formerly - Sue Greenwood, OMNR Members/Participants: Mark Ebener, Chippewa-Ottawa Resource Authority Don Schreiner, MN DNR Bill Mattes, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Shawn Sitar, MI DNR Eric Berglund, OMNR Jessica Barber, USFWS, Sea Lamprey Management Mark Brouder, USFWS Mike Steeves, DFO, Sea Lamprey Management Tom Pratt, DFO Peter Stevens, WI DNR Mark Vinson, USGS, L.S. Biological Station Seth Moore, Grand Portage Band Marty Auer, Michigan Technological University Janet Keough, USEPA Mid-Continent Ecology Division

17. Financial Contributions • US EPA GLNPO (GLRI) $126K • Partner Contributions ~$107.5K • USFWS (GLRI) $56.5K by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved

18. Support / Funding • L. S. BinationalProgram • Aquatic Community Committee • Lake Sturgeon Work Group • EPA – GLNPO Great Lakes Restoration Initiative • Canada-Ontario Agreement • CSMI Science Review Committee • Agency base funds