The Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission (AITRC) continued its preliminary study to assess disease and parasite burdens in sockeye and Chinook salmon in the Copper Basin. This ongoing research aims to monitor parasites such as Ichthyophonus and Anisakis species, among others, for better planning and proactive mitigation rather than scrambling to react. It also seeks to identify any diseases in Copper River salmon. Ichthyophonus can cause mortality in salmon and affect the quality of fillets, presenting a significant food security concern, though it does not pose a direct human health risk. Anecdotal reports of symptoms of this pathogen from Tribal Citizens have been an important motivator for the project. Given that Ichthyophonus is suspected as a potential contributor to the declining Yukon salmon (In 2021, 44% of Chinook salmon returning to the Yukon to spawn were infected with Ichthyophonus, which was higher than in previous years. In 2022, preliminary results from testing 2022 Chinook indicated a high prevalence of Ichthyophonus at around 40%.) returns, proactive monitoring of Copper River sockeye and Chinook salmon is essential. In 2023, AITRC collected 148 samples to analyze parasite burden and Ichthyophonus presence, and 75 cultures (64 sockeyes and 11 Chinook salmon) were sent to the ADFG Pathology Laboratory for testing. One sample returned a positive result for Ichthyophonus, but due to contamination—a common issue during field sampling—it cannot be confirmed with 100% certainty. Samples were collected for both culture and histology. At this time, none of the 2022 histology samples showed signs of Ichthyophonus. However, the histology of the 2023 samples revealed inflammation lesions and myocyte cell death in some samples. Inflammation and myocyte cell death in salmon hearts are signs of stress and disease that could significantly impair their survival and reproductive success. It's essential to investigate the underlying causes to understand their potential impact on fish populations and food security. In 2024, AITRC partnered with ADFG Pathology Lab and Sitka Sound Science Center on this project and expanded the sampling scope to include kidney, heart, and spleen from Chinook and sockeye salmon. This more holistic approach utilized both PCR and histology to examine different diseases. This more holistic approach should provide deeper insights into disease dynamics in Copper River salmon. There are currently no results.