Winter 2015 the NEWSLETTER of the NOOKSACK SALMON ENHANCEMENT ASSOCIATION

FISH TALESVolume 23, Issue 1 • Winter 2015 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NOOKSACK SALMON ENHANCEMENT ASSOCIATION

Restoration along Squalicum Roosevelt Elementary Joins Creek Now Old Enough to Vote Students for Salmon

By Maggie Long Education Manager A cold, November morning at Roosevelt Park marked the first Students for Salmon field trip with Roos- evelt Elementary School. A troop of bundled fourth-grade scientists from Meredith Attar’s Roosevelt Elementary class marched toward us. Looking at their eager smiles and positive attitudes, one would never have guessed it was only 27 degrees out. Our breath could be seen in the crisp air, the frosty grass crunched beneath our feet, and the sample trays full of water and macroinver- A Roosevelt student holds up her Fever Creek Photo taken in 1996 tebrates from nearby Fever macroinvertebrate sample. “This is actually the Creek began to freeze over. coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” After 18 years of growth, the saplings above (marked with bamboo stakes) are now But the sun was shining, and tall enough to climb. despite the freezing weather, these students The Roosevelt scientists synthesized, were ready to explore the stream. shared and connected personal experi- By Adrian Shulock Island, were set in the creek by hard- ences, classroom activities and the knowl- Development Manager working machines and strong arms. We Dynamic Discussion edge they were actively gaining on the What I saw in an 18-year-old resto- did it to create eddies, pools, aeration and Throughout the field trip, these field trip, as they rotated through water ration site along Squalicum Creek is complexity in the creek, all for the well- students blew us away with their thought- quality testing, macroinvertebrate studies worth telling you about. From boulders being of salmon. ful questions and comments, connecting and native plant identification. and climbable alder trees to hummocks The alders (and a host of other native the bigger picture with the small stream As he held up a macroinvertebrate of moss and ground-scratching Spotted plants) were planted by hand along a flowing nearby. sample, one student remarked, “This is Towhees, my hour-long visit was enlight- re-engineered stream bank. We did it to “It seems like humans have made actually the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!” ening. eventually hold back soil, create shade this Earth a garbage pit,” exclaimed one NSEA’s Students for Salmon program, The boulders, quarried from Lummi and provide a source of leaf litter (food) student. I challenged the group, “What sponsored by BP, and Roosevelt Elemen- for insects that spend a portion of their makes you feel that way? Is there hope? tary make a natural fit – our program lives in the creek, all for the well-being of Can WE make a difference?” complements the Washington State study salmon. This transitioned into a dynamic unit Roosevelt fourth-graders have been Other things were done for salmon. discussion of positive human actions to working on. Plus, it’s the perfect lead up to For one, strong hands yanked non-native help our environment – and Fever Creek plants like blackberry and reed canary specifically. Please continue on page 8 grass. Only small pockets grow today, one plant here and one there, the shade keeping explosive growth in check. In addition, much wood was placed in the creek. After almost two decades, evidence of this channel work is still producing results as the water churns in confusion around it. Then there are the things we didn’t lift a hand to do, like the growing of moss mounds, the spores of which probably arrived on the wind. They arrived like the towhees and kinglets, coming in on the wing as they please. Spiders, snails, slugs 15 Feet off the ground, Adrian braces – they all crawled in toward the shade and against the strengthening wind. Note promise of food. And seeds from maple, the lichen (patchiness on the tree trunk) and moss self-recruits. Please continue on page 2

Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE P.O. Box 32594 PAID Bellingham WA 98228 LYNDEN, WA PERMIT NO. 20 www.n-sea.org

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Roosevelt Elementary School 4th grade teacher, Meredith Attar (to the right of the penguin hat), joins her students for their macroinvertebrate study at Fever Creek in Roosevelt Park. 2 FISH TALES Winter 2015

From the Board President: FISH TALES Fish Tales is the quarterly newsletter of the Nooksack Salmon Why Dissect Salmon in the Classroom? Enhancement Association (NSEA). By Dr. Dave Beatty, NSEA Board President Opinions expressed in Fish Tales are those of the authors and do not “Dear Dr. removed to expose the gills and gill arches bladder is not inflated, it can be inflated by necessarily represent the official Beatty, I thought are removed for closer examination of the forcing air through a straw inserted where position of NSEA. the heart was gills. the bladder joins the esophagus (salmon Original articles, unless farther away from Throughout the dissection, each swallow air to inflate it). specifically noted, may be reprinted Dave Beatty the head. You body part is placed on a labeled paper The heart holds great fascination and without permission if appropriate showed me it is closer to the head! Oh and plate to pass around the class. This greatly requires an explanation that it has two credit is given to this publication. it was a little stinky. By the way, it was increases the students’ interest in the chambers compared to the four chambers Please contact NSEA before awesome!!!!!” – Excerpt from a Happy dissection. Features of the head (nostrils, of the human heart and how blood circula- reprinting any graphics. Valley Elementary student letter sent to Dr. eyes, jaws, mouth and teeth) are identified. tion in a water breather (gills) differs from Beatty after a dissection The role of the mouth and operculum in an air breather (lungs). The final dissec- NSEA welcomes articles, photos I was asked to write tion is to expose the brain. and artwork. a column on why I enjoy The students usually are teaching salmon science to surprised that it is so small. Please submit articles via email elementary students when Whenever appropri- to [email protected]. they learn about a salmon’s ate for the anatomy, I give external and internal anat- explanations of form and Fish Tales Contact Info: omy. function. The teachers have Mail: PO Box 32594, In this program, each student write a letter, Bellingham, WA 98228 students at each school main- often with a drawing, to me. tain an aquarium in which The following excerpts from Phone: (360) 715-0283 eyed coho salmon eggs from some of these letters indi- E-mail: [email protected] a hatchery are incubated cate the reasons I enjoy doing On the Web: www.n-sea.org and the resulting fry are fed these presentations: until ready for the students “Dear Dr. Dave, I enjoyed NSEA Board of Directors: to release in a creek close to the passing around of the Dave Beatty, President their school. different salmon body parts. Phelps Mcllvaine, Vice President In the classroom, the My favorite 2 parts were the Jerry Smith, Treasurer students receive instruction Chum Salmon brain and Analiese Burns, Secretary on the common names of heart. I learned a lot about the five species of Pacific how the swim bladder works. Jeremy Brown, RFEG Representative salmon, salmon life history, I also learned a lot about their Nicole Barrett habitat requirements, water- gills and I thought it was cool Dorie Belisle shed stewardship and general to see the gills up close. I hope Ken Carrasco aspects of the salmon’s exter- you come again soon!” Matthew Clark nal and internal anatomy. “Dear Dr. Dave, I enjoyed Leif Embertson An important part of salmon the parts passed around so we science is for the students could see them up close. I Michael McRory to learn vocabulary and the learned a lot about salmon Kati Reid importance of a consistent that day. I have a question Steve Seymour and accurate vocabulary Students peer, perhaps for the first time, into the body of a salmon for you. How do salmon eyes as retired university professor of biology Dr. Dave Beatty interprets to express knowledge of a differ from a human’s? Thank NSEA Staff what they are looking at. subject. you so much for donating Rachel Vasak, Executive Director For the anatomy, adult chum salmon water breathing (unidirectional flow past your time. I really enjoyed the dissection. It Darrell Gray, Project Manager are obtained at a hatchery. To the great- the gills) is described. was the best science class ever!” Kate Underwood, Financial Manager est extent possible, I try to relate certain Often the fish is an adult male with “Dear Dr. Dave, Thank you for coming Annitra (Ferderer) Peck, Program aspects of the salmon’s anatomy to each large canine teeth (chum are locally called to our class. I learned a lot about how a Director student’s anatomy. For example, in the dog salmon), a feature requiring an expla- salmon’s body works, like the gills and the Rachel Benbrook, CATS Coordinator external anatomy, the paired pelvic fins nation for their development during the tail fin. Some things I enjoyed were when I are located in the same body region as a time of spawning. An eye is removed and got to see the brain and the heart and when Maggie Long, Education Manager human’s pelvic girdle or pelvis; likewise, opened to show the spherical lens. you took the eyeballs out of the salmon.” Adrian Shulock, Development the paired pectoral fins are located in the Next is the internal anatomy, where “Dear Dr. Dave, Thank you for the Manager same region as the human pectoral girdle many anatomical terms are more famil- salmon dissection. I thought it was really Restoration Crew: Dave Barker (shoulder girdle). iar to the students. By opening the body fun, some parts were a little gross. I learned WSC AmeriCorps: Claire Woodward, Of course, there are many anatomical forward from the vent, the internal organs [that] the swim bladder helps them float. Kelley James, Tracy Pennell features in salmon without a human coun- are exposed for identification. Included are When the swim bladder was passed around, WCC Crew: Crew Lead - Zach Shirk, terpart and thus no similar words apply. the gonads (paired ovaries or testes), intes- I touched it. It felt like a balloon. One thing Asst. Lead - Brady Lester, Cassie All eight fins are identified including their tine and stomach, the numerous pyloric I enjoyed was all of it. I hope you come back Castrejon, Annie England, Brian function(s). The reason for the removal of caeca, spleen, liver, gall bladder, swim o n e d a y.” Lindsay, Riley Hills the adipose fin at a hatchery is discussed. bladder, kidney and heart. – David Beatty Fish Tales Production: A few scales are removed and magnified The swim bladder is of great interest NSEA Board President with a lens. The operculum (gill cover) is having no human counterpart. If the swim NSEA Staff, Editors-in-Chief Theodore Parker-Renga, Copy Editor Thom Barrie, Layout Restoration along Squalicum Creek Continued from page 1 Print date: January 2015 alder, fir and spruce and berries from snowberries and rose arrived. Then there are the things you have to climb trees to see, which I happily did, things like tufts of lichen covering cottonwood branches, like water droplets stuck 50 feet above the ground waiting to fall, and finally, like the wind which 18 years ago would have ripped through this riparian area without a sound but today was making a beautiful racket through the branches. To me it was the sound of regen- eration, perpetual motion and the ultimate strength of restoration.

The ground beneath the tree canopy is well shaded, keeping the creek cool for salmon while creating the right environment for water lovers like moss. NSEA Calendar of Events January through March 2015 MLK Day Community Work Party January 19 Monday, 10am-1pm Maritime Heritage Park Annual Community Celebration March 19 Thursday, 6-8pm TBD FISH TALES Winter 2015 3 Salmon Science Salmon Straying and Homing

By Vic Andresen, Spawner Survey space in the stream. This competition has Volunteer and guest columnist a direct effect on the size and number of In 1980, the north side of Mount St. juveniles the stream produces. Helens collapsed and the resulting volca- The amount of straying by coho in Mount St. Helens sends ash skyward in 1980. nic blast destroyed the upper watershed of these coastal California streams would female will likely mate with several males, the North Fork of the Toutle River. be considered high. These streams are New Zealand Study just about every imaginable trait will be Debris from this eruption flowed near the southern limit of the natural Most studies on salmon that stray expressed in various combinations. With down the river destroying everything in its range for the coho. The high straying rate involve hatchery fish as most fish that strong selection pressures, only the best path. To save the I-5 bridge and the rail- could be due to the difficult conditions leave the hatchery are marked and can traits will be passed on. road bridge, the Army Corps of Engineers the juveniles experience. The lower part be traced on return. Surprisingly, some To maintain a salmon run, only two removed millions of cubic yards of debris of these streams dry up and the juveniles of the best examples and information on adult fish out of the 5,000 eggs laid by from the river channel. This removal are restricted to isolated pools. Sandbars straying salmon and the development of each female are required. After a couple project also prevented the filling of the close the streams to the ocean during the salmon runs come from New Zealand. of generations, the best traits for salmon Columbia River shipping channel. For a late spring through late fall. Some years are In 1901-1907, about 2 million Chinook survival will be expressed and the salmon number of years after the eruption, salmon drought years and other years the streams salmon eggs from two Sacramento River and salmon run will be fairly well adapted could no longer use the Toutle River for will flood several times in the winter. hatcheries were shipped to a New Zealand to local conditions. spawning and rearing. Under these conditions, straying by many hatchery located on one river on the east Rapid development and acquisition A major eruption on Mount Baker returning fish may be beneficial to the side of the South Island. of certain traits is due to the large number about 6,600 years ago also resulted in a regional salmon population as a whole. Researcher McDowell found that, “In of eggs and juveniles. If the 5 percent debris flow that went down the Middle Surviving Extinction a few years, salmon spread naturally north Fork of the Nooksack River. This eruption along the coast of the South Island, just as strays carry these traits to a nearby stream probably destroyed the salmon runs in After a stream or river has been hoped, establishing runs in seven rivers”. with similar environmental conditions, the both the North and Middle Forks of the destroyed by a volcanic eruption or debris Currently all rivers and streams capable favorable traits will rapidly spread. A few Nooksack River. flow, the watercourse and riparian area of supporting a salmon run on the South strays can spread genetic adaptations from In the fall 2014 Fish Tales, Salmon will start to recover and improve each Island have salmon runs of various sizes. one watershed to another. Science described how local debris flows year after the event. A few stray salmon It is estimated that 4.2 percent of the New Closer to home, stray salmon from move gravel down a stream channel. will find their way into and colonize the Zealand salmon stray. Unfortunately, some the Frazier, Samish and Skagit rivers would These events – eruptions and debris flows unoccupied watershed. The strays will of the salmon runs are now limited due to likely be entering the Nooksack River – destroy the stream channel and make find unoccupied spawning grounds and hydroelectric dams. system. When the mouth of the Nook- it unsuitable for salmon spawning and the emerging fry may find a rich insect The salmon, once established in a sack River entered Lummi Bay by Sandy migration for at least one year and some- food source with few competitors. A high New Zealand river, have developed local- Point, some of the salmon heading toward times many years after the event. percentage of the fry from each spawn- ized traits that best support survival in that the Frazier along the west side of Lummi If all (100%) of the salmon in an ing will survive and become large-sized river. Between rivers, differences can now Island would have been attracted to the isolated run return to and spawn in the juveniles when they migrate to the ocean. be discerned for fish size, age at maturity, Nooksack and entered it. same natal section of the stream or river, As noted above, the larger the size of the growth rates, timing of migration, egg size The current location of the mouth of when one of these major destructive juvenile fish the less straying will occur and several other obvious and less obvious the Nooksack River faces south directly events occur, the salmon run could be among the returning adults. traits. The establishment of the salmon and toward the mouth of the Samish River 10 lost forever or extinct. But salmon will The source of the strays for the Toutle the development of these traits occurred in miles away. Most likely a few stray salmon and have returned to the tributaries of the River after the Mount St. Helens eruption less than 100 years. are exchanged between these rivers. The most likely came from the Cowlitz River – Skagit River in the past had delta distribu- Toutle River up to the sediment retention Passing of Traits dam. Salmon have also returned to the the Toutle River is a major tributary of the taries that drained into Samish Bay or Nooksack River after the historic volcanic Cowlitz – with other strays coming from The rapid development of localized Padilla Bay, facilitating the exchange of eruptions. Salmon return to small streams other rivers that enter the Lower Colum- traits is due to the homing instinct and strays between the Skagit and the Nook- after debris flows. bia. Most strays will enter streams in close the large number of eggs the female can sack. proximity to their original stream. The lay. For example, if 95 percent of the Hatchery-Wild Interactions Evidence of Straying environment in the new stream or river is Chinook salmon return to their natal Currently, controversy exists about the When discussing a salmon life cycle, likely to be very similar to the stray’s origi- stream and each female carries about 5,000 few ever mention that some salmon stray. nal stream or river. eggs, and during the spawning process the Please continue on page 8 Unfortunately, few studies on marked native fish have been performed. In the classic study on two small, very similar streams south of San Francisco, research- Rofkar ers Shapovalov and Taft (1954) marked & native coho and steelhead when they Heitmann entered the ocean. The stream’s mouths Company are 4.75 miles apart. They counted and examined the coho when they returned. They found anywhere from 1-30 percent of the returning adults over a six- Rofmann, Inc. year period were from the other streams, P.O. Box 5792, Bellingham, WA 98227 Additions mostly the nearby stream. An average of (360) 961-8963 Remodel 14.9 percent of the coho strayed over the www.rofmann.com ROFMAI*018C3 six years. The intention of their report was not specifically to study straying; they were studying stream life history of salmon and steelhead. One of the general conclusions from their study was the greater the number and the smaller the size of the juveniles when they entered the ocean, the greater the straying. Conversely, the larger the size Building Community and the fewer the number of juveniles, the One Book at a Time less straying occurred. Coho spend the first year of life in the stream and must compete with other coho juveniles, steel- VILLAGEBOOKSfor more head juveniles and other fish for food and .com 1200 11th St. in historic Fairhaven • 671-2626 Meet the New Washington Conser- vation Corps Crew!

4 FISH TALES Winter 2015

Education and Stewardship

Local Tribes Host Field Trips with CATS Students

Olympic Peninsula CATS students – and a whole bunch of seabirds – enjoy newly formed beaches on the Elwha River Delta. Photo by Lindsey Aspelund.

By Rachel Benbrook Development installations, tribal fisheries hand from tribal members and natural Thank you to the Lummi Nation and CATS Coordinator and aquaculture facilities as part of CATS, resources staff. Students learned about the Nooksack, Squaxin Island, Tulalip, Over the past 18 months, participants which is managed by NSEA in coopera- tribal treaty rights, Salish history, aquacul- Duwamish, Jamestown S’Klallam, of the Citizen Action Training School tion with the six other Regional Fisheries ture and the hugely important contribu- Skokomish and Lower Elwha Klallam (CATS) have been traveling around Puget Enhancement Groups (RFEGs) in Puget tions tribes have made toward the Puget tribes for their hospitality. The CATS Sound to see firsthand the efforts under- Sound. Sound recovery effort. program is made possible through funding way to restore and protect watersheds and Each of the field trips provides key The Tribal Perspective field trips provided by the Puget Sound Partnership. shorelines. perspectives on the way in which we live in offered valuable insights about salmon See the CATS website for more details at More than 100 students hailing from the Puget Sound area. A highlight has been habitat restoration. Many CATS students www.pugetsoundcats.org. 56 different Puget Sound communi- the Tribal Perspectives field trips. Students spoke of them as their favorite part of the ties visited restoration sites, Low Impact toured tribal museums while hearing first class.

Lummi Bay Shellfish Hatchery manager Ralph Solomon gives a tour of the algae room. The different colors come from the various types of chlorophylls, the Jamestown S’Klallam elder and fisherman Marlin Holden discusses tribal fishing chemical compound that drives the photosynthetic process whereby algae and traditions at Dungeness Bay with the Olympic Peninsula CATS class. other plants create food from the sun. Photo by Lorraine Day.

Skokomish Natural Resources staff members lead a tour of their impressive Olympic Peninsula CATS students pose for a colorful shot on an ancient cedar stump Skokomish River Estuary Restoration Project. revealed with the draining of Lake Aldwell and the removal of the Elwha Dam. FISH TALES Winter 2015 5

Volunteer and Stewardship

Making a Difference at the New Ferndale Library

Julie Johansen, a 20+ year steward of the Schell Creek watershed, smiles brightly as she shares a legacy of meaningful service with three of her grandchildren on Make a Difference Day.

By Kelley James soil, volunteers were tremendously happy Volunteer Coordinator to be out planting trees at the new Ferndale “Everyone get excited for Make a Library near Schell Creek. Difference Day!” I howled to the team of Connected to the Earth stream restoration interns as I pumped up spirits before what promised to be our As I was running back and forth biggest work party of the season. from one end of the work site to the other, one volunteer in particular stood out to Make a Difference Day is a national Mani “blue tubes” a recently planted cedar tree to increase the survivability day of community service celebrated in me, a young man happily planting trees. rate by protecting the young bark from moles, voles and other animals. The new October. In the past, these NSEA work His name was Manishanker Somavarapu, Ferndale Library, which opened its doors last fall, is in the background. parties have drawn a pretty large crowd. or Mani for short. He’s an international student from India who is studying at “We’re expecting at least a hundred volun- The view as you look out from the those 164 people filled me with hope that Whatcom Community College. teers and we will be planting over 1,700 Ferndale Library will continue to get more we can find solutions to our shared water- Mani said that he was quite comfort- trees,” I said. beautiful as the years pass and the trees shed challenges. able despite the cold, and having his feet It was only the second NSEA work grow. More importantly, as the riparian I encourage you to participate in the in the soil made him feel more connected party of the fall season, and I knew it habitat around that section of Schell Creek next Make a Difference Day. We’ll have with the earth. “It was a wonderful expe- would be a fun yet frenetic day. On that matures, it will become a healthier place a shovel, gloves and plants (that we are rience at the place where we planted the morning at the office, there was a flurry for salmon. That result can always be growing right now in the nursery) ready trees,” Mani said. “I planted more than 15 of activity with lots of coffee brewing and traced back to the hard work of volunteers. for you! plants and this was my first planting expe- everyone packing up all the tools, gloves But more than that, working alongside and supplies we needed for the day. rience so far in my life.” As we drove toward the Ferndale work The buzz was palpable at the Make a site, we were rewarded with a beautiful Difference Day work party. Karen Jorgen- view of Mount Baker, a great omen for son, one of NSEA’s stream restoration the day. interns, said that not unlike other NSEA Unfortunately, the clear skies didn’t work parties, the volunteers were able to hold out for long, but the gray weather connect the dots between a focused project didn’t seem to dampen peoples’ spirits. At on the ground and the implications their 9 a.m. sharp, groups arrived from Alcoa, effort had on improving Whatcom County. Western Washington University, Boys & Healthy Place for Salmon Girls Club of Whatcom County and North The day was a success, with 164 volun- Whatcom Rotary, as well as lots of other teers planting 1,739 trees. individual volunteers. Despite the soupy

Alcoa employees and their families easily transfer their aluminum making talents to the physical demands of habitat restoration work on Make a Difference Day.

A sea of protective blue tubes serve as the evidence for all of the hard and Ferndale Mayor Gary Jensen takes a brief moment to smile while digging a hole for important work contributed by volunteers at the 2014 Make A Difference Day in a native plant on Make a Difference Day in October of 2014. Ferndale, WA.

Please continue on page PB 6 FISH TALES Winter 2015 CREW CORNER Sunny Summer Leads to History of Hand Tools for Plethora of Projects Completed Restoration Researched and written by NSEA’s Washington Conservation Corps Team

Louveau fish passage project is one of 70 NSEA has completed in the last 10 years. Add the projects together and you get access to 50 miles of salmon habitat.

By Darrell Gray NSEA is especially grateful to all the Project Manager participating landowners who allowed us The summer of 2014 will be remem- to implement salmon habitat improvement bered as the summer of endless sunshine. projects on their properties. A special While the lack of rain negatively thanks to Stan and Phyllis Kostanoski impacted stream flows and salmonids on Terrell Creek, whose project was inhabiting those streams in the short term, completed in early October when the sun it did provide an opportunity for NSEA to finally stopped shining and the rain began. From left to right: McLeod by Cassy Castrejon, Pulaski by Zach Shirk and Spade complete many instream habitat enhance- Shovel by Annie England Thanks for your patience while we cleaned ment projects that will benefit salmonids up the driveway and pasture. You’ve probably heard the saying, is how awkward the tool is to pack and in the long run. NSEA would also like to thank our “You’ve got to use the right tool for the transport. NSEA completed a diverse mix of project partners, Whatcom County, What- j o b.” The WCC crew takes advantage of the instream projects throughout Whatcom com Conservation District and Whatcom Well, it couldn’t be truer when it McLeod’s heavy-duty capabilities by using County, including seven fish passage proj- Public Utility District, and our additional comes to salmon habitat restoration. it to grab large clumps of blackberries or ects and four large woody debris place- funding sources, including the Natural NSEA’s Washington Conservation Corps mulch and for trail maintenance. ment projects. Resources Conservation Service, Wash- crew uses a wide array of hand tools to get Pulaski Field technician Dave Barker and ington Department of Fish and Wildlife the job done. Here is a glimpse into a few Washington Conservation Corps crews and Washington Salmon Recovery Fund- of our tools of the trade: The Pulaski has a colorful birth. participated in all aspects of the projects, ing Board. Ed Pulaski, considered the inventor McLeod from surveys and design to water diver- of the tool, was an assistant U.S. Forest sion, fish exclusion and construction. At a glance, the McLeod looks as if it Service ranger. After heroically saving a was used during medieval times. crew of 45 firefighters from raging Idaho In reality, the tool was not invented forest fires in 1910, Ed concluded that a until 1905. It was the invention of Malcom more useful tool was required for such McLeod, a U.S. Forest Service ranger on events. So one year later, Ed created a the Sierra National Forest. worthy tool, now called the Pulaski. Malcom wanted to invent a tool that Visually, the tool appears to be the was both efficient and multipurpose, so he love child of an axe and an ancient tool ingeniously combined a hefty rake with a called an adze, a tool used in the Stone Age hoe. The McLeod was originally designed to curve and smooth wood. to be used in wildfire scenarios to cut The WCC crew uses the Pulaski to branches with the hoe edge and rake fire break up large clumps of compacted soil lines with the teeth. (e.g., when planting in rocky terrain) and The only disadvantage of the McLeod cut wood. Spade shovel Plant Corner The ox’s bountiful body has provided Kostanoski Large Woody Debris (LWD) placement to create complexity in the creek Natives Continued on page 8 like pools that allow salmon the ability to rest while swimming upstream. Eurasian Watermilfoil: A Highly Productive Ecosystem Invader Eurasian Watermilfoil grows from of baby plants under the right condi- cides are commonly used, with limited rhizomes and can reach up to a meter tions. Interestingly, a single plant is only to moderate success. But the full effect long with 2- to 3-millimeter thick stems capable of producing maybe 100 seeds. of these herbicides on the entire aquatic and whorled leaves that appear almost Few if any will germinate. The plant relies ecosystem is not fully understood – feather-like. It is hard to distinguish from almost exclusively on its successful ability to say the least – and the use of these its native counterpart, making removal to reproduce through fragmentation. herbicides has been a contentious issue. efforts difficult. In some lakes, mainly east of the Today, a common way for Eurasian Water- Eurasian Watermilfoil reproduces Cascades, Eurasian Watermilfoil has milfoil to spread is by boat. If you own a through vegetative fragmentation, making become such a problem that it gets tangled boat, let it dry out completely before taking mechanical removal nearly impossible. up in boat propellers, ruins swimming it between different bodies of water. The curly leaf stems of Eurasian Milfoil Only a tiny piece of a plant is needed areas and generally throws off a lake’s Learn more about invasive species at just below the water surface to form a new, mature plant. One plant ecosystem balance. www.cob.org. By Max Silver can reproduce asexually into thousands In these cases, large inputs of herbi- Spawner Survey Intern Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) was sold as an aquarium plant in this part of the Pacific Northwest as early as the 1940s. It was first discovered growing in Lake Washington in 1965 and has been difficult to control since. Living in lakes, ponds and slow- moving streams, this aquatic plant can be highly invasive. It is on Whatcom County’s list of top invasive plants and is considered by the Washington State Department of Ecology to be the state’s most problematic NSEA Fish Tales Sponsor 360.671.2420 plant. 1922 Grant Street, Bellingham FISH TALES Winter 2015 7

Recognizing the community’s NSEA Quarterly Awards hard work for our local salmon

Educator of the Quarter: Tim Carpenter Business of the Quarter: Seafood

Tim Carpenter, of the Seattle Aquar- of people, who are motivated by their own Producers Cooperative ium, shared his knowledge about forage interest and concern for the Puget Sound fish and rockfish with the participants and the marine environment. This makes of the Citizen Action Training School my efforts to contribute to their knowl- (CATS) sessions edge base even more valuable for me, around Puget knowing that they will go forth and reach Sound. NSEA is others using their passion and experience coordinating this gained in the program. They will turn that regional adult experience into action, which our marine education program environment certainly needs. made by possible NSEA and our CATS partners are by the Puget Sound Regional Fisheries Enhancement Partnership. Groups, working to educate and Please tell us engage our communities in wild about yourself salmon restoration efforts. Why is and the work salmon recovery important to you and the work you do? Tim Carpenter, that you do. Seattle Aquarium I am the Cura- Salmon represent so much to the Curator of Fish and tor of Fish and Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound: liveli- Invertebrates and Invertebrates at the hood, prosperity and an aquatic environ- recent teacher for ment in balance. Since salmon depend on the Citizen Action Seattle Aquarium. Training School In that capacity, I essentially all of the aquatic habitats in the that is being supervise the team Pacific Northwest, any action or initiative coordinated by of aquarists and that has effects on salmon populations is NSEA. dive staff who are likely to be on target and effective – lots of A focused Dick Curran works the rigging on his boat Cherokee near Sitka, AK. responsible for the care and maintenance bang for the buck. of all of our fish and invertebrate collec- Salmon are also an integral part By Kendall Whitney barometer of the health of our planet. They tion. This includes daily care, participating of many peoples’ lives, so they have a Marketing Manager at Seafood are also the first to recognize that salmon in research both in-house and in the field, personal tie to the resource, either through Producers Cooperative are nature’s true reward – delicious, with a and managing the permits and logistics the fishing industry, through scientific The Seafood Producers Cooperative life story that is inspiring. They know that required to collect animals from the wild connections or simply through a desire to is a longtime supporter of NSEA. Each salmon are worth conserving. for our exhibits. live a healthy lifestyle and eat seafood as a summer, SPC donates all of the salmon SPC and NSEA share a common It is a dynamic environment with part of it. served at NSEA’s annual Salmon at the Bay mission, making it possible for people to special events occurring regularly, a diverse This has made salmon recovery an fundraiser. enjoy the pleasures of eating wild salmon set of skills on the team and lots going on easy standard for folks to get behind. The In an age when 91 percent of the for generations to come. That is why SPC seafood Americans eat comes from abroad, supports NSEA. most of it farmed using dubious labor Most of SPC’s owner-fishermen are practices causing environmental havoc, family operations. Boats are passed along SPC is ruggedly American and has a proud to sons and daughters over generations. heritage built on 70 years of commitment Some SPC members can trace their fami- to high-quality wild fish and responsible ly’s lineages with the cooperative over four stewardship of the ocean. generations. Owned and operated by small boat, This heritage is important – the hook and line fishermen who fish the owners-members of SPC want their grand- waters of the north Pacific for wild salmon, children to fish the same way that they do, halibut, sablefish and albacore, SPC is a with an eye to the future and a focus on fishermen’s cooperative built on the work quality. of families whose livelihoods depend on SPC fishermen like Dick Curran take the health of our waters. time to look after the ocean. During the These fishermen are the “eyes of the break between fishing the Gulf of Alaska ocean.” Nobody has a tighter connection and outfitting for the Chatham black cod to our waters than hook and line fisher- fishery, Dick has removed from coastal men. They know that fish like salmon are a Continued on page 8

A Family Owned Veterinary Clinic Providing Personalized Pet Care Since 1986 • Offering a Full Range of Medical and Surgical Services including Acupuncture, Chinese Tim dives among the fish he loves in front of Seattle Aquarium guests. Herbal Medicine and Massage Therapy Michelle C. Schraeder, DVM, FAAVA • Fellow of the American Academy of at the Seattle waterfront. Construction and results of successful efforts are usually Edwin J. Stone, DVM, MEd Veterinary Acupuncturists significant modifications of the waterfront fairly tangible to the public, and that is • Boarding, Bathing and Pet Supplies have us creating a new strategic vision and a great way to keep people engaged and • Spays/Neuters at No Charge when your pet master plan for the future. reinforce their commitment to preserving 360 592-5113 has the Complete Puppy/Kitten Vaccine Series Thanks so much for making the the environment as a whole. www. mtnvet.com at our hospital. 3413 Mount Baker Highway, Bellingham, WA 98226 effort to travel up to so many of the CATS sessions around Puget Sound, including here in Bellingham. Why do you think civic engagement RECOGNIZED FOR OUR programs like CATS are important to support? ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP Our mission at the Seattle Aquarium is meant to reach outside of our walls, and I work here because I believe in it FULL SERVICE AND DO-IT-YOUSELF FACILITY personally. I take every opportunity I can to reach out to folks in the community and SEAVIEW NORTH SEAVIEW YACHT BOATYARD SERVICE FAIRHAVEN extend our mission whenever possible, At Squalicum Harbor Marina In the Historic Fairhaven District whether they be dive clubs, school groups 360-676-8282 360-594-4314 [email protected] [email protected] or aquarium hobbyists. www.seaviewboatyard.com The CATS program is a special group 8 FISH TALES Winter 2015

Crew Corner Continued from page 6 Roosevelt Elementary Continued from page 1 many gifts to man, including the spade Spade shovels have come a long way their ocean unit. The Roosevelt students with NSEA through the Students for shovel. since their inception. The WCC crew uses were excited to learn about NSEA, salmon Salmon program. We work with schools Long before metal dominated the them frequently to aid in planting and and how to help salmon habitat. from all seven school districts in Whatcom world of tools, bone reigned supreme. stream restoration projects. Great Partnership County, in additional to various private In the Neolithic and Early Bronze eras, Spade shovel users should bear in and tribal schools. people used shovels crafted from the scap- mind that this revolutionary technology This wonderful partnership came NSEA receives funding from BP and ula of an ox. would not exist if not for the grave contri- about because of parent involvement. “A the Washington Department of Fish and Not all peoples were keen to the bution of the ox. parent of a child in my class, who under- Wildlife’s Aquatic Lands Enhancement wonders of bone. Early Europeans made Not all tools are made equally, and stands my love of hands-on, experiential Account. We also seek additional grant use of riven wood, but riven wood shovels NSEA’s WCC crew knows this firsthand. learning, sent me a note this summer funding to keep our program running at were inferior tools. Some tools are everyday tools, while others suggesting we check out the Students for full capacity – and completely free of cost They often required additional help are utilized on just the right occasion. No Salmon program,” said teacher Meredith. to students and schools. Every student from a pickaxe to complete simple shovel- matter what the tasks, NSEA’s WCC Crew “I’m so glad we did!” deserves the opportunity to have meaning- ing tasks. Wooden shovels were immedi- has the right tool for the job. Every year, NSEA makes an effort to ful, hands-on watershed education experi- ately jettisoned once metalworking came reach out to schools that haven’t histori- ences. on the scene. cally participated in this program, in “The fieldwork was a truly fantastic addition to continuing our relationship experience,” Meredith said. “It was incred- with participating schools. Whether it Continued from page 3 ibly well put together. The educators were Salmon Science is through our direct efforts or word- top-notch. It extended and deepened the planting of hatchery fish. In the past, some Benefits of Strays of-mouth recommendations from other learning we had done in the classroom. teachers or parents, it is always amazing to hatchery fish came from stocks remote In nature, an adaptive balance is It was one of the best field trips I’ve hear from a school that hasn’t previously from the river where they were planted. created between homing and straying attended.” participated in the program These stocks were often perpetuated in the salmon. Straying by a few salmon is impor- Thank you, Roosevelt Elementary, “Once I heard about NSEA’s Students hatcheries. As a result, most of the hatch- tant to the total regional salmon resource for bringing your inquisitive minds and for Salmon program, I shared the details ery fish were not very well adapted to life in two ways: enthusiasm to our program. Will any of with my teaching team and it was an easy in the river where they were planted. Strays are nature’s way of reoccupy- the students in your life be heading out sell!” Meredith shared. “The chance to When they breed with wild fish, hatch- ing damaged or unoccupied watersheds. to their local stream with us this year? We work with science educators on curricu- ery fish are thought to reduce the vitality of The Toutle River was destroyed after the hope so. lum that is connected to our kids’ world the wild fish. There is also some evidence Mount St. Helens eruption. Examples of Contact us today at mlong@n-sea. was something we didn’t want to pass up.” that wild fish may recognize hatchery fish other unoccupied watersheds are those in org for information on our Students for as “outsiders” and have limited contact New Zealand or the pink salmon in the ‘Fantastic Experience’ Salmon program, or visit us online at with them. Run timing is probably the Great Lakes. Every year, more than 1,000 Whatcom www.n-sea.org. main way hatchery fish are isolated from Strays are nature’s way of spreading County students head to their local stream the wild fish. This controversy is ongoing genetic traits and possible adaptations with many scientific papers being written from one watershed to another. Homing about the subject and many people hold- by a majority of the salmon results in a Business of the Quarter Continued from page 7 ing a variety of opinions about the value salmon run becoming well adapted to beaches and waterways nearly 30,000 fishermen use to bring the salmon to of hatchery fish when released into the the conditions in that section of river or streams that have wild fish. pounds of plastics and marine debris that market. stream. Rapid development of survival would have been harmful to local wildlife. SPC aims for consumers to better traits needed by salmon is due to the large As SPC member Tom Fisher said, “A know the cooperative and the special number of eggs and juveniles produced by healthy ocean is healthy for me. We don’t fish the cooperative brings to market, so a spawning female, heavy selection pres- want to damage our livelihoods.” now SPC fish is available for purchase by sures and a general isolation of the run. The cooperative also benefits the fish- consumers on SPC’s e-store: www.Alaska- Make Your DONATION Today! References Cited ermen because their fish reach a wider GoldBrand.com. Your contributions make the work we do possible. Kinnison, M.T. Quinn, T.P. Unwin, market. SPC black cod is well known At the site, people can check out Please consider donating, its easy! M.J. 2011. Correlated contemporary by fish buyers around the world as the stories from our fishermen, the coop- • By phone, call (360) 715-0283 evolution of life history traits in New best black cod available. SPC’s troll-caught erative’s history and seafood recipes and • Online, at www.n-sea.org/donate-1 Zealand Chinook Salmon, Oncorhynchus Alaska Gold salmon is craved by restau- purchase SPC’s high-quality fish for deliv- • By mail, complete the form below and return to Tshawytscha rants and retailers worldwide because of ery anywhere in the U.S. NSEA, PO Box 32594, Bellingham, WA 98228 the meticulous handling procedures our Name: ______McDowell, R.M. 1978. New Zealand Address: ______Freshwater Fishes a guide and natural history, Heinemann Education Book Ltd. ______Advertise in Fish Tales Phone: ______Auckland, New Zealand Email: ______Shapovalov, L. Taft, A.C. 1954. The NSEA invites YOU to continue to show your support for wild Life Histories of the Steelhead Rainbow salmon restoration by advertising in Fish Tales, this great newsletter I would like to contribute $______published quarterly by NSEA. Fish Tales reaches over 5,000 individuals I would like my donation used for: Trout (Salmo gairdneri gairdneri) and and businesses in Whatcom County each quarter. ❏ Habitat restoration Silver Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). All advertising revenue helps us to offset the costs of printing and distribution and helps us inform readers of the progress being made ❏ Education State of California Department of Fish and locally for wild fish through implementation of habitat restoration proj- ❏ Endowment Game, Fish Bulletin No.98 ects. When you advertise in Fish Tales, your add reaches our readers and ❏ Please use my donation for NSEA’s greatest current need Quinn, T.P. Kinnison,M.T. Unwin, helps fund the publication. By purchasing a NSEA Business Membership, M.J. 2001 Evolution of Chinook Salmon your business can advertise at a reduced rate as well Payment Details Please join us in our efforts to restore native salmon habitat and (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Populations join our growing network of supporters—supporters who believe in ❏ Cash Enclosed in New Zealand: pattern, rate, and process. patronizing local community-based businesses. ❏ Check Enclosed (Check Payable to NSEA) Genetica Vol. 112-113 Page 493-513 Thank you for your generous support! Please contact us with any questions about NSEA, adver- ❏ Please charge: tising, or business memberships at 360-715-0283 or [email protected]. ❏ Visa ❏ Mastercard ❏ Discover Quinn, T.P. 1995, Homing, Straying Card Number: ______and Colonization, NOAA Tech Memo NSEA Fish Tales Newsletter Advertising Form Expiration: ______Code: ______NMFS NFSC-30 Genetic Effects of Stray- Name of Business:______ing of Non Native Hatchery Fish into THANK YOU! Contact Person: ______Email:______All Donations made to NSEA are tax deductible. Natural Populations. Workshop Seattle 1995 Phone: ______Fax:______Address:______Fish Tales accepts business card-sized (3 ½” x 2”) ads. Electronic submissions are gladly accepted at Become a Member of NSEA [email protected]. By joining NSEA, you will be supporting an excellent organization that works within our YES, I want to support NSEA and Fish Tales: community to help wild salmon populations. Your contribution will sponsor the hard work of volun- n teers, students and community supporters who are participating in restoration work, educational Business Membership ($100) programs, community outreach and service learning. n Full Year (4 issues) for NSEA Business members: ($150) There are many benefits to becoming a member, including a year subscription to Fish Tales n Full year (4 issues) for non-Business Members ($300) Total Price: $______and Fish Bytes, personal invitations to NSEA events and an NSEA sticker. Business members will also receive a discounted rate for advertising in Fish Tales and be included in our Annual Report. Your Method of Payment: n Check enclosed (Please make check payable to NSEA) membership donation is 100 percent tax deducible: Student/Senior-$15; Individual-$25; Family-$30; Business-$100. n Please charge: n Visa n MasterCard n Discover For more information, call us at 360-715-0283 or e-mail [email protected]. CC #:______Name______Expiration: ______3-digit Security Code______Address______Please return to Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association City ______State ______Zip______P.O. Box 32594, Bellingham, WA 98228 or Fax: 360-715-0282 • [email protected] • www.n-sea.org Phone (home) ______Phone (work) ______Email ______Mission Statement Student/Senior: $15 Individual: $25 Family: $30 Additional donation of $ ______The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association is a community-based nonprofit Mail your check and this form to: NSEA • P.O. Box 32594, Bellingham, WA 98228 organization dedicated to restoring sustainable wild salmon runs in Whatcom County.