Unlike other Pacific salmon, pink salmon were not deliberately stocked for alewife biocontrol, nor are they deliberate stocked. Nonetheless, pink salmon descendants of an accidental release have become a valued part of the Great Lakes recreational fishery and they are managed alongside the other Pacific salmonids. Therefore, pink salmon management objectives are not geared towards the removal or eradication of the species like with most invaders. Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes region)
Direct Regulations:
Great Lakes states and provinces have their own specific fishing regulations. Generally, the overall goals and objectives of Pacific salmon fishing regulations are the same throughout the region i.e., to maintain or enhance a healthy and sustainable salmonid fisheries. Pacific salmon fishing regulations include daily and season bag limits, size limits, permitted baitfish, manner of taking i.e., snagging or hook and line, and designated season dates (See New York DEC, Pennsylvania F&BC, Ohio DNR, Michigan DNR, Indiana DNR, Illinois DNR, Minnesota DNR, Wisconsin DNR, Ontario MNR, and Quebec MRNF websites for specific fishing regulations).
Indirect Regulations:
Typically, Pacific salmon regulations are not species specific, but rather regulate the salmonid fisheries as a whole. Indirect Pacific salmon regulations include mandated salmonid pathogen screening tests and baitfish regulations.
Mandatory salmonid pathogen screening tests are implemented in all Great Lakes states and provinces. The importation, exportation, and transportation of Pacific salmon is highly regulated to control the spread of infectious diseases and parasites such as VHS, BKD, and whirling disease (See USGS nonindigenous diseases and parasites fact sheets for state and provincial regulations).
State and provincial baitfish regulations have aided in preventing the spread of infectious disease. Specific and or stricter regulations are placed on baitfish species that are known carriers of salmonid pathogens.
Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
Like other Pacific salmon, pink salmon prey heavily upon two non-native species in the Great Lakes, the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax). Alewives remain a key food source and crucial to the survival of Pacific salmon. Over the past several decades, Pacific salmon populations have fluctuated with fluctuating alewife populations. Managing one species significantly impacts the other. Pacific salmon and alewives have significant environmental, socio-economic, and beneficial effects in the Great Lakes and therefore integrated management is essential. Rainbow smelt are also a major component of Pacific salmon diet. Similar to alewives, Pacific salmon and rainbow smelt management should be integrated. Rainbow smelt have a high environmental impact and high beneficial effect in the Great Lakes. The presence or absence of this species significantly alters predator-prey relationships and competition between native species. Managers can also attempt to increase less harmful native prey species stocks while allowing harmful invasive prey species to decrease. Implementation of this bio-control has potential significant beneficial effects in the Great Lakes with few negative impacts (See USGS fact sheets on alewife and rainbow smelt).
Of the 23 nonindigenous diseases and parasites in the Great Lakes, Aeromonas salmonicida, Renibacterium salmoninarum, Myxobolus cerebralis, and Novirhabdovirus sp. infections have been realized in Great Lakes Pacific salmon, while Heterosporosis sp. and Piscirickettsia cf. salmonis infections have been realized clinically or outside the Great Lakes. Glugea hertwigi, a microsporidian, is known to cause mortality in rainbow smelt. Therefore, Pacific salmon management must include the management of the above pathogens and parasites (See fact sheets on Aeromonas salmonicida, Renibacterium salmoninarum, Myxobolus cerebralis, Novirhabdovirus sp., Heterosporosis sp., Piscirickettsia cf. salmonis, and Glugea hertwigi for information on Great Lakes impacts and management).
Physical
Aquaculture facilities manage wild and cultured Pacific salmon stocks through wild stock assessments and other methods. Managers are then able to make informed decisions on stocking strategies. Research, pathogen screening, and pathogen treatment, etc. is conducted in aquaculture facilities (See state and provincial DEC, MNR, DNR, and corresponding agency and department websites for information on salmonid aquaculture and state hatcheries).
Chemical
Chemical controls for Pacific salmon are not intended to eradicate or kill the species but rather to protect it against infectious disease. Typically, depending on the target species, chemicals controls are only effective in aquaculture or similar systems. Examples of chemicals used and include cefuroxime, chlorination, and disinfectants.
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.