APPENDIX a to the PACIFIC COAST SALMON FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN As Modified by Amendment 18 to the Pacific Coast Salmon Plan
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
APPENDIX A TO THE PACIFIC COAST SALMON FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN As Modified by Amendment 18 to the Pacific Coast Salmon Plan IDENTIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT, ADVERSE IMPACTS, AND RECOMMENDED CONSERVATION MEASURES FOR SALMON Pacific Fishery Management Council 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101 Portland, OR 97221-1384 (503) 820-2280 http://www.pcouncil.org September 2014 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The primary drafting of this document was accomplished by Dr. John Stadler, Kerry Griffin, and Eric Chavez. GIS mapping was contributed by Barbara Seekins and Charleen Gavette. Additional contributions were provided by (in alphabetical order) Scott Anderson, F. Dale Bambrick, Alice Berg, Stephanie Burchfield, Sean Callahan, Scott Carlon, Renee Coxen, Rebecca Dittmann, Brian Ellrott, Dr. Jeffrey Fisher, William Foster, Michael Grady, Mark Hampton, Dr. Peter Kiffney, Keith Kirkendall, Gayle Kreitman, Steven Landino, William Lind, Michael Lisitza, Jeffrey Lockwood, Matthew Longenbaugh, David Mabe, Robert Markel, Michael McDonald, Michelle McMullen, Ben Meyer, Kenneth Phippen, Dr. Phil Roni, Bonnie Shorin, Dr. Thomas Sibley, Jim Simondet, Dr. Brian Spence, Kenneth Troyer, Randy Tweten, Julie Weeder, and David White. Final compilation and editing were done by Kim Ambert and Chuck Tracy. Partial funding for this effort was secured by Michael Tehan, Assistant Regional Administrator for Habitat Conservation Division, Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, AND INITIALISMS ..................................................... IV 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1 2. IDENTIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT FOR THE PACIFIC SALMON FISHERY .................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO IDENTIFICATION .................................................................................... 3 2.2 CONSIDERATION OF REINTRODUCTIONS UNDER SECTION 10(j) OF THE ESA ............................................. 4 2.3 CONSIDERATION OF IMPASSABLE DAMS ................................................................................................... 5 2.4 HABITAT AREAS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN .............................................................................................. 6 2.4.1 Complex Channels and Floodplain Habitats ................................................................................................. 6 2.4.2 Thermal Refugia ........................................................................................................................................... 8 2.4.3 Spawning Habitat ......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.4.4 Estuaries ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.4.5 Marine and Estuarine Submerged Aquatic Vegetation .............................................................................. 11 3. ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT DESCRIPTIONS ......................................................................... 13 3.1 GEOGRAPHIC EXTENT OF SALMON EFH ................................................................................................... 13 3.2 ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT DESCRIPTION FOR CHINOOK SALMON (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) .............. 13 3.2.1 General Distribution and Life History ......................................................................................................... 13 3.2.2 Relevant Trophic Information .................................................................................................................... 15 3.2.3 Habitat and Biological Associations ........................................................................................................... 15 3.2.3.1 Eggs and Spawning ............................................................................................................................ 15 3.2.3.2 Larvae/Alevins ................................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.3.3 Juveniles (Freshwater) ....................................................................................................................... 17 3.2.3.4 Juvenile (Estuarine) ........................................................................................................................... 18 3.2.3.5 Juveniles (Marine) ............................................................................................................................. 19 3.2.3.6 Adults................................................................................................................................................. 20 3.2.3.7 Freshwater Essential Fish Habitat ..................................................................................................... 21 3.2.3.8 Marine Essential Fish Habitat ............................................................................................................ 22 3.3 ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT DESCRIPTION FOR COHO SALMON (Oncorhynchus kisutch) ............................. 23 3.3.1 General Distribution and Life History ......................................................................................................... 23 3.3.2 Relevant Trophic Information .................................................................................................................... 24 3.3.3 Habitat and Biological Associations ........................................................................................................... 24 3.3.3.1 Eggs and spawning ............................................................................................................................ 25 3.3.3.2 Larvae/Alevins ................................................................................................................................... 25 3.3.3.3 Juveniles (Freshwater) ....................................................................................................................... 26 3.3.3.4 Juveniles (Estuarine) .......................................................................................................................... 27 3.3.3.5 Juveniles (Marine) ............................................................................................................................. 28 3.3.3.6 Adults................................................................................................................................................. 29 3.3.3.7 Freshwater Essential Fish Habitat ..................................................................................................... 30 3.3.3.8 Marine Essential Fish Habitat ............................................................................................................ 31 Appendix A Pacific Coast Salmon EFH i September 2014 3.4 ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT DESCRIPTION FOR PUGET SOUND PINK SALMON (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) . 31 3.4.1 General Distribution and Life History ......................................................................................................... 31 3.4.2 Relevant Trophic Information .................................................................................................................... 32 3.4.3 Habitat and Biological Associations ........................................................................................................... 33 3.4.3.1 Eggs and Spawning ............................................................................................................................ 33 3.4.3.2 Larvae/Alevins ................................................................................................................................... 33 3.4.3.3 Juveniles (Freshwater) ....................................................................................................................... 34 3.4.3.4 Juveniles (Estuarine) .......................................................................................................................... 34 3.4.3.5 Juveniles (Marine) ............................................................................................................................. 34 3.4.3.6 Adults................................................................................................................................................. 35 3.4.3.7 Freshwater Essential Fish Habitat ..................................................................................................... 36 3.4.3.8 Marine Essential Fish Habitat ............................................................................................................ 37 4. DESCRIPTION OF ADVERSE EFFECTS ON PACIFIC SALMON ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT AND ACTIONS TO ENCOURAGE THE CONSERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT ......................................................................................................... 37 4.1 FISHING ACTIVITIES AFFECTING SALMON ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT ........................................................ 37 4.1.1 Potential Effects to EFH by Gear Type........................................................................................................ 39 4.1.2 Fishing-related potential impacts .............................................................................................................