Status Review of Eulachon (Thaleichthys Pacificus) in Washington, Oregon, and California
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NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NWFSC-105 Status Review of Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) in Washington, Oregon, and California March 2010 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NWFSC Series The Northwest Fisheries Science Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, uses the NOAA Techni- cal Memorandum NMFS-NWFSC series to issue scientific and technical publications. Manuscripts have been peer reviewed and edited. Documents published in this series may be cited in the scientific and technical literature. The NMFS-NWFSC Technical Memorandum series of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center continues the NMFS- F/NWC series established in 1970 by the Northwest & Alaska Fisheries Science Center, which has since been split into the Northwest Fisheries Science Center and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. The NMFS-AFSC Techni- cal Memorandum series is now being used by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Reference throughout this document to trade names does not imply endorsement by the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. This document should be referenced as follows: Gustafson, R.G., M.J. Ford, D. Teel, and J.S. Drake. 2010. Status review of eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) in Washington, Oregon, and California. U.S. Dept. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-NWFSC-105, 360 p. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NWFSC-105 Status Review of Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) in Washington, Oregon, and California Richard G. Gustafson, Michael J. Ford, David Teel*, and Jonathan S. Drake Northwest Fisheries Science Center Conservation Biology Division 2725 Montlake Boulevard East Seattle, Washington 98112 * Northwest Fisheries Science Center Conservation Biology Division Manchester Research Station 7305 East Beach Drive Port Orchard, Washington 98366 March 2010 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Most NOAA Technical Memorandums NMFS-NWFSC are available online at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center web site (http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov) Copies are also available from: National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 phone orders (1-800-553-6847) e-mail orders ([email protected]) ii Table of Contents List of Figures...............................................................................................................................................v List of Tables ..............................................................................................................................................vii Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................................ix Acknowledgments......................................................................................................................................xiii Introduction: Summary of Information Presented by the Petitioner.............................................................1 The DPS Question: Evidence for Discreteness and Significance.............................................................2 Summary of Abundance and Population Trends......................................................................................3 Summary of Risk Factors .........................................................................................................................4 The Species Question....................................................................................................................................6 Eulachon Life History and Ecology..............................................................................................................8 Taxonomy and Species Description .........................................................................................................8 Eulachon and Human Cultural History.....................................................................................................9 Historical and Current Distribution ........................................................................................................10 Life History Stages .................................................................................................................................33 Reproduction and Development .............................................................................................................41 Trophic Interactions................................................................................................................................54 Information Relating to the Species Question........................................................................................57 Evaluation of Discreteness and Significance for Eulachon....................................................................72 BRT DPS Determination........................................................................................................................78 The Extinction Risk Question.....................................................................................................................80 Abundance and Carrying Capacity.........................................................................................................81 Recent Events .........................................................................................................................................83 Status Assessments.................................................................................................................................85 General Demographic Indicators............................................................................................................87 Assessment of Demographic Risk and the Risk Matrix Approach ......................................................132 Threats Analysis ...................................................................................................................................134 Qualitative Threats Assessment............................................................................................................166 Overall Risk Determination..................................................................................................................171 Summary of Risk Conclusions for the Southern DPS of Eulachon......................................................171 iii Significant Portion of Its Range Question............................................................................................176 Glossary ....................................................................................................................................................177 References.................................................................................................................................................183 Appendix A: Life History Tables..............................................................................................................229 Appendix B: Selected Accounts of Eulachon in Local Newspapers ........................................................259 Oregon (Columbia River).....................................................................................................................263 Oregon (Umpqua River).......................................................................................................................303 Washington...........................................................................................................................................316 California..............................................................................................................................................325 Appendix C: Selected Accounts of Eulachon in Early Historical References..........................................331 Klamath River.......................................................................................................................................332 Columbia River.....................................................................................................................................332 Fraser River, British Columbia.............................................................................................................343 Other British Columbia Waters ............................................................................................................343 Appendix D: Selected Accounts of Eulachon in an Early Periodical .......................................................347 Appendix E: Substantive Scientific Comments from Peer Review ..........................................................353 Delineation of a Distinct Population Segment......................................................................................353 Appropriateness of the Scope of the Assessment .................................................................................357 Status of the Southern DPS of Eulachon ..............................................................................................358 Use of Political Boundaries for Defining a DPS ..................................................................................360 iv List of Figures Figure 1. Distribution of eulachon spawning rivers in the Northeast Pacific Ocean .................................11 Figure 2. Eulachon spawning areas mentioned in the text in the conterminous United States..................12 Figure 3. Major known eulachon spawning rivers in British