1. Atlantic Salmon Recovery Framework Briefing for Regional Director November 1, 2010

2. Agenda Introductions and Overview of the Framework Introductions and Overview of the Framework Stock Assessment Stock Assessment Action Teams Action Teams Marine and Estuary Action Team Marine and Estuary Action Team Connectivity Action Team Connectivity Action Team Genetic Diversity Action Team Genetic Diversity Action Team Conservation Hatchery Action Team Conservation Hatchery Action Team Freshwater Action Team Freshwater Action Team Recovery Plan Recovery Plan Wrap Up Wrap Up

3. The Need for Change Significant changes in the program – river specific stocking, ESA Significant changes in the program – river specific stocking, ESA Complicated and burdensome structures and processes – TAC, RT, Agencies Complicated and burdensome structures and processes – TAC, RT, Agencies Struggles with Policy and Priority Struggles with Policy and Priority Recommendations from SEI Review (2007) Recommendations from SEI Review (2007) Recovery program lacks a clear conceptual framework Recovery program lacks a clear conceptual framework Key elements of the recovery program need to be better integrated Key elements of the recovery program need to be better integrated

4. The Proposal – a new Atlantic Salmon Recovery Framework and Governance Structure Framework Framework Clear Goals and Objectives Clear Goals and Objectives Identification of Key Limiting Factors Identification of Key Limiting Factors Adaptive Management Actions and Associated Assessment to address Limiting Factors Adaptive Management Actions and Associated Assessment to address Limiting Factors Governance Structure Governance Structure Minimal layers Minimal layers

5. Framework Development Clear and Agreed Biological Objectives Clear and Agreed Biological Objectives Strategies to achieve the biological objectives Strategies to achieve the biological objectives Actions to Achieve the Strategies Actions to Achieve the Strategies Structured Decision Making to be more explicit and transparent Structured Decision Making to be more explicit and transparent Process is Adaptive – continuous learning and adjustment, with a commitment to accountability and tracking of progress toward agreed biological objectives Process is Adaptive – continuous learning and adjustment, with a commitment to accountability and tracking of progress toward agreed biological objectives

7. Approach – Baseline and Alternatives (Portfolios) Started by identifying existing agency Atlantic salmon resources and how they are spent Started by identifying existing agency Atlantic salmon resources and how they are spent Then looked at different ways to configure the overall salmon program (using the same fixed amount of resources) and compared what those alternatives would achieve in terms of salmon recovery Then looked at different ways to configure the overall salmon program (using the same fixed amount of resources) and compared what those alternatives would achieve in terms of salmon recovery

8. Supplemental “Salmon” Funds Important to note that the framework only obligates the direct salmon funds Important to note that the framework only obligates the direct salmon funds Additional agency commitments Additional agency commitments EX: NOAA ARRA, Open Rivers EX: NOAA ARRA, Open Rivers Section 6 Funding Section 6 Funding

9. SQMarine CH + EC CH + FW FW connect + diadromous M + EC Marine Survival 10%40%5%5%5%30% Estuary / Coastal Survival 6%4%20%3%16%25% Genetic Diversity 5%5%8%10%5%4%  Adults through CH 32%32%50%50%32%20%  Adults through FW smolt production 25%17%15%30%40%19% Population Assessment 22%2%2%2%2%2%

10. Action team templates For each action: Life stage impacted (egg, fry, parr, smolt, marine, FW adult) Life stage impacted (egg, fry, parr, smolt, marine, FW adult) Geographic impact (SHRUS) Geographic impact (SHRUS) Timeframe of benefits Timeframe of benefits Resourcing (cost including FTEs) Resourcing (cost including FTEs) Social/political issues Social/political issues Possible genetic risks Possible genetic risks Possible benefits to other species Possible benefits to other species Possible risks to other species Possible risks to other species Short term benefits (prevent extinction) Short term benefits (prevent extinction) Long term benefits (long term recovery) Long term benefits (long term recovery)

11. Status Quo (P1)Weights/objectives(P7) Extra $5M Extra $10M program wide - once Extra $10M program wide - ongoing Marine10%10%30%20%30% Estuary/Coastal6%16%30%60%30% Genetic Diversity 5%7%10%5%10% Conservation Hatchery 32%40%15%0%15% Freshwater25%25%15%15%15% Population Assessment 22%2%0%0%0% New Portfolios

12. Summary Portfolio 7 preferred portfolio Portfolio 7 preferred portfolio Has all 3 agencies working toward agreed goals and objectives, commitment to monitoring actions and tracking progress Has all 3 agencies working toward agreed goals and objectives, commitment to monitoring actions and tracking progress Has the greatest potential to increase distribution and abundance Has the greatest potential to increase distribution and abundance

13. Signatories Approved 3-level governance structure Policy Board (NMFS RA, USFWS RD, MDMR Commissioner) Management Board (DMR, NMFS, USFWS, Tribal Rep.) Action Team

14. Action Teams Connectivity – Rory Saunders Connectivity – Rory Saunders Genetic Diversity – Meredith Bartron Genetic Diversity – Meredith Bartron Conservation Hatchery – Paul Santavy Conservation Hatchery – Paul Santavy Freshwater – Oliver Cox Freshwater – Oliver Cox Outreach – Peter Steenstra Outreach – Peter Steenstra Marine & Estuary – Tim Sheehan Marine & Estuary – Tim Sheehan

15. Monitoring & Assessment Two major types Two major types Integrated into each individual action – intended to answer whether the action had the anticipated effect, and what effect it had on the overall biological objectives (distribution and abundance) Integrated into each individual action – intended to answer whether the action had the anticipated effect, and what effect it had on the overall biological objectives (distribution and abundance) Monitoring of Progress toward the 4 biological objectives Monitoring of Progress toward the 4 biological objectives

16. Annual Schedule 2011 – 2014: 5 Year Implementation Cycle Begins 2011 – 2014: 5 Year Implementation Cycle Begins January – March January – March Winter Recovery Meeting of the Policy Board, Management Board, and Action Team Chairs Winter Recovery Meeting of the Policy Board, Management Board, and Action Team Chairs Open to the Public Open to the Public Written and verbal reports provided by each Action Team on previous years implementation activities Written and verbal reports provided by each Action Team on previous years implementation activities Report on population status and progress toward biological objectives Report on population status and progress toward biological objectives Review and agree plan for the coming year of implementation Review and agree plan for the coming year of implementation Annual Report on Framework Implementation prepared Annual Report on Framework Implementation prepared July – September July – September Mid-year meeting held Mid-year meeting held Action Team Chairs highlight any obstacles to meeting end of year targets Action Team Chairs highlight any obstacles to meeting end of year targets Any new findings or information is presented and discussed Any new findings or information is presented and discussed The Action Team Chairs and Management Board will hold periodic meetings as needed to resolve issues, when appropriate joint meetings will be held The Action Team Chairs and Management Board will hold periodic meetings as needed to resolve issues, when appropriate joint meetings will be held