2018 Spawner Survey Workshop What is SFEG?
Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to involving our community in restoring salmon populations for future generations. Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group (RFEG) Independent non-profit organization • Funded by grants and donations • Heavily rely on volunteers
Dedicated to restoring Pacific Northwest Salmon populations by habitat restoration and community engagement What we do
Work collaboratively with local landowners and volunteers for salmon habitat restoration Offer free education programs to kids in local schools Conduct monitoring to ensure projects are effective…
Photo C. Farrow Spawner Survey Program
• Volunteer based- we could not do this without your being willing to do this work on our behalf • Workshop Sponsors:
Photo C. Farrow Volunteer Position Description
Training: Early October Monitoring: Late October-January Time Commitment: 3-8 hours, 1 day per week SFEG Contact: Kalena Walker, Community Engagement Associate
Volunteer Tasks: • Each WEEK visit your selected stream site and walk the designated stream reach. – Sites must be monitored every 7 to 10 days. • Submit Data Forms – Fill out one data sheet per creek visit and submit at least MONTHLY – Fill out and Submit volunteer time sheets to Community Engagement Associate – Additional forms available in “Volunteer Resources” of our website • Follow all safety guidelines and rules Volunteer Packet
• Volunteer Registration—please fill out and sign! • Volunteer Position Description • Volunteer Monthly Reporting – Spawner Survey Data Form – Volunteer Hour Forms • Gear List • Safety Procedures—please read and sign! • Ten Essentials • Hiker Safety Kit • Atlantic Salmon identification • Spawning salmon ID card • Workshop evaluation TECHNICAL PRESENTATION Skagit Watershed
Largest river in Puget Sound Third largest river on west coast of U.S. Contributes 1/3 freshwater to Puget Sound 1/3 of salmon in Puget Sound return to the Skagit to spawn 3,100 square miles 162 miles long 4,500 miles of streams, rivers and sloughs Connects our communities Skagit Watershed Largest over-wintering population of bald eagles in lower 48 states 3,000 migratory trumpeter swans 60,000 migratory snow geese Greatest concentration of raptors in North America Agriculture to feed the world Five species of Pacific salmon Salmon Life Cycle
Anadromous: starts life in fresh water, matures in salt water, migrates back to fresh water to reproduce
Needs a “chain” of healthy habitats Healthy Watersheds
Our vision is a healthy watershed ecosystem with abundant fish and wildlife to be enjoyed by present and future generations Today’s Lesson:
• Salmon status and trends • Salmon ID • What’s a Redd? • Spawner Surveys • Data Collection • Protocol • Safety First • Field Trip Chinook Salmon
• Puget Sound Chinook listed as “threatened” under ESA in 1999 • The “King” of fish • Prized for its recreational and commercial value • Good records of runs • Skagit River home to 1/2 remaining Puget Sound Chinook • 6 stocks with diversity of life history strategies • Those stocks most reliant on estuary for rearing are most at risk
Skagit River Chinook Salmon Escapement - Summer/Fall Populations (green) and Spring Populations (blue), with 25000 Trendlines Spring Populations show Statistically Significant Increases 2017 data preliminary 20000
15000
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0 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 Coho Salmon • Also known as “silver” salmon • Found in small streams throughout the watershed • Spends a year in freshwater before migrating to estuary • Spends 3-4 years in ocean
Photo J. Newley Skagit River Coho Salmon Escapement, with Trendline 160000 2003 to 2017 data preliminary 140000
120000
100000
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0 1967 1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 Chum Salmon
• Also known as “dog” or “keta” salmon • Spends 3-5 years in the ocean • Migrates to estuary quickly for rearing • Reliant on ground water fed side channels for spawning • Considered “healthy” in 2002 & “stable” in 2010 • However in recent years populations all over Puget Sound have been low Skagit River Chum Salmon Escapement, with Trendline 250,000
200,000 2017 data preliminary
150,000
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50,000
0 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 Pink Salmon
• Also called “humpy” salmon • Smallest of salmon with short 2 year life cycle • Quickly migrates to estuary for rearing • Population highly affected by Skagit floods due to spawning areas and timing
Photo J. Newley Skagit River Pink Salmon Escapement, with Trendline 1,200,000 Population shows Statistically Significant Increases 1,000,000
800,000
600,000
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0 1967 1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 Sockeye Salmon • Also known as “red” salmon • Depends on lakes • Live about 3 years in Ocean • Baker River is only native run in Puget Sound • 1992 considered “critical” only 99 fish returning to spawn in 1986 • 2002 considered “healthy” • Since 2010, four highest runs on record • 2015 biggest run yet Baker River Sockeye Salmon Trap Counts, with Trendline 35,000 Population shows Statistically Significant Increases 30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
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0 1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 Anadromous Trout Species Bull Trout: • Listed as “threatened” under Endangered Species Act in Washington State (1999) • Really cold water is essential
Steelhead: • Listed as “threatened” under ESA in Puget Sound (2007)
Sea Run Cutthroat Trout: • No ESA listing Photo J. Newley Skagit Winter Run Steelhead Escapement, with Trendline 14,000
12,000 2017 data preliminary
10,000
8,000
6,000
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0 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐20 MINUTE BREAK‐‐‐‐‐ Why are we doing this? Who uses this data?
• Co-Managers: State (WDFW) and Tribe- for fish escapement (returns) • County and State - Legal issues and mitigation • SFEG - effects of restoration projects, reports to funding sources • Colleges/students/researchers Protocol
• Walk your creek to get familiar with it. • Walk your creek every 7 to 10 days • Always walk up-stream and on the stream bank when possible • If flow is too high to survey safety, or the creek is too turbid to see anything, no need walk it • If you can not walk your creek let us know; NO survey is different than NO fish! • Near the end of the season, walk until you have not seen any fish for two weeks Collecting Data
• Count and Identify: 1. Live adult salmonids 2. Redds 3. Salmonid carcasses • Measure: – 1st 10 of each species to fork length (carcasses) • Clip tails: – Off Carcasses • Mark: – Redds
IDENTIFICATION OF SPAWNING SALMON Spawning time
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan
Coho
Chinook
Pink
Sockeye
Chum Chinook / King / Tyee Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Coho / Silver Oncorhynchus kisutch Sockeye / Kokanee / Red Oncorhynchus nerka Chum / Dog / Keta Oncorhynchus keta Pink / Humpy Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Atlantic Salmon Redds
• What is a redd? • Location of redds • Substrate size 1.3-10.2 cm • Redd Identification
Marking Redds Tie flagging near redd Description on flagging: 1. Date 2. SFEG 3. Species Code: CO = Coho CK = Chinook CH = Chum SO = Sockeye PK = Pink Unk = Unknown Photo by Betty Connor
Salmon carcasses Adipose Fin
Photo courtesy of the University of Florida
Pre-Spawn Mortality:
• Some salmon die before they spawn • Reasons: – Predation – Sudden water level changes – Pollution (problem in urban areas) – Other Reasons?? • Skagit River = ‘index watershed’ because of healthi(er) streams • Check each Coho carcass for eggs/milt – Pruners or boot check SAFETY! Equipment Polarized sunglasses (optional)
Green flagging
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Sharpies
Rite in Rain SFEG Vest w/pencils
Pruners Gloves Map with coordinates
Walking stick (multi- Ten Essentials…more functional tool) Waders/Boots on that later Have your buddy’s back!
And last but not least…YOUR BUDDY Hypothermia
Know the Symptoms: How to treat: • Shivering • Drink warm fluids • Drowsiness • If wet: change into dry • Clumsiness (excessive) clothes ASAP • Slurred speech, mumbling • Seek shelter • Confusion • Consume sugary foods • Shallow breathing, weak • Utilize hand warmers pulse, loss of consciousness • Be active, but don’t sweat Hypothermia Precautions
• Avoid dangerous situations – check the weather! • Keep warm/actively warm up as soon as you feel cold (it’s easier to stay warm than it is to get warm!) • Wear layers made of warm material (cotton is rotten!) Don’t let your toes look like this! • Avoid overexertion: sweat can make you cold • Be prepared with dry clothing and change if you get wet • Keep an eye on your partner(s) • Be prepared to stay warm in case of an emergency Dress for Success
In addition to equipment (i.e. waders/boots, vest, PFD, gloves) wear/bring: • LAYERS! (long underwear, long sleeved shirt, jacket) I can’t put my • Rain gear (SFEG has some) arms down • Winter hat • Scarf (or jacket with zip-up collar) • Socks (two pairs…?) • Space blanket • Hand warmers Dress (your car) for Success
Recommended in car: • 2nd pair of socks • 2nd pair of pants • 2nd shirt • 2nd jacket • Warm blanket • Something warm to drink Preventing Injuries
• Broken bones or sprains: be cautious on uneven or slippery terrain, move slowly and carefully, wear waders with felt soles • Cuts and lacerations: be aware of barbed wire and other sharp hazards, wear waders and long sleeve clothing o Let us know if you get a hole in your waders! Other Hazards
• Wildlife: Salmon are a source of food for bears and other animals • Hostile pets or neighbors: Leave the area and notify SFEG • Weather: poor weather can lead to unsafe conditions, in and out of the stream - be cautious and prepared • Remote Locations: Emergency response crews can not always reach remote locations quickly In case of emergency:
• Remove yourself and others from immediate danger • Treat injury using first aid kit • If injury is severe use cell phone to call 911 • Report to SFEG and fill out a Safety Incident Report o If see a doctor, tell them you were injured on the job with SFEG as your employer (as a volunteer you have L&I coverage – but you MUST fill out the Volunteer Registration form!) Requirements • Notify a trusted individual your destination and expected return time • Be prepared in case you have to contact emergency services o Know where you are (carry map with coordinates) • Wear your PFD if near water greater than knee deep (it’s warm!) • Proper footwear: knee boots or chest waders with felt soles • Proper warm clothing Recommendations
• Carry your phone, keep it charged and warm - consider a portable charger. • Trail first aid kit with all essential medications as well as applicable emergency first aid supplies • First aid kit for vehicle, including a change of clothes • GPS if you have one (have Google map app open if have smartphone) • Carry 10 essentials Be Prepared For Hiking Outdoors
10 Essentials for safety, survival & basic comfort: 1. Navigation (map, compass, GPS) 2. Insulation (dress for success clothing options) 3. Nutrition (food for the day, plus extra food) 4. Hydration (water for the day, plus extra water) 5. First-aid supplies (including medications, etc.) 6. Emergency shelter (space blanket-provided by SFEG) 7. Illumination (headlamp, flashlight, extra batteries) 8. Fire (lighter or matches in a waterproof container) 9. Repair tools and kit (knife or multi-tool) 10. Sun protection (polarized sunglasses, sunscreen) Cool Idea: Nalgene Survival Kit What’s Next?
• Lunch Break – Wild & Scenic Film Festival Trivia Question! – Read and sign volunteer paperwork • Volunteer Registration • Spawner Survey Safety Form – Spawner Survey Creek Sign Up • Field Trip to Creek – test protocol and hopefully see salmon and redds TRIVIA!!!
What species of salmon is currently doing the best in the Skagit watershed? Become a Member!
Membership perks: • Warm fuzzy feelings • Being in-the-know for events and opportunities Thank You Volunteers