Acooperative project to improve

Transcription

1 OREGON FISHWORKS Spring 2009 News from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife s (ODFW) Fish Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) and Salmon and Trout Enhancement Programs (STEP) Rock Creek fish passage project set to begin this summer Acooperative project to improve fish passage at the diversion dam on Rock Creek that supplies water to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife s Rock Creek Hatchery is scheduled to begin this summer. The Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program has contributed $200,000 towards the $3.8 million project. The fish ladder currently in place provides only partial passage to upstream migrating salmon and steelhead. Depending on the time of year, 30 to 90 percent of the wild runs are able to pass upstream, while juvenile fish are unable to ascend the ladder at any time. Rock Creek is a major tributary of the North Umpqua River and an important anadromous fish stream that hosts runs of spring and fall Chinook salmon, summer and winter steelhead, coho salmon and sea-run cutthroat trout. The upper watershed, including Rock Creek, is also the focus of major ongoing fish habitat restoration projects conducted in partnership with ODFW, the Bureau of Land Management, Pacificorp and Umpqua Rivers, the local watershed council. The new fish ladder will open up 45 miles of habitat upstream of the diversion dam that is now available to only a portion of the creek s fish runs. The project will also give us the option to trap and remove hatchery fish and allow only wild fish to ascend upstream of the diversion dam to comply with Oregon s Native Fish Conservation Policy, said Dan Meyer, manager of the Rock Creek Hatchery. The Native Fish Conservation Policy is a plan developed by ODFW that directs fish management in the state to provide for ecological health of watersheds and sustainable fish populations living and reproducing in natural environments, among other goals. Funds from the R&E Program grant are dedicated to constructing the fish ladder and trapping and sorting facility. In addition to keeping hatchery fish from spawning with wild fish in Rock Creek s upper reaches, the trapping facility will also permit hatchery fish to be caught and recycled back downstream to provide additional angling opportunities. Construction on the project will begin in July, with completion expected by the end of November Once completed, the improved fish ladder around the Rock Creek Hatchery water diversion will permit more wild salmon and steelhead to ascend upstream to take advantage of additional spawning and rearing habitat. In This Issue Rock Creek Fish Passage Latest STAC Mini Grants Shad Fishing Chum Salmon Restoration STAC Reps Wanted Fish Eggs to Fry

2 Latest STAC Mini-Grants MG Acclimation Site Alarm System, $750, Umpqua Fisherman s Association MG Cunningham Creek, $700, Hatchery, Coquille River STEP MG Water Quality Sampling, $415, Empire Lakes, Coos Bay School District MG Spring Stewardship Field Day, $750, The Freshwater Trust MG Fish Eggs to Fry, $713.99, Gilliam-East John Day Watershed Council MG Eggs to Fry/Relocation Project, $277.79, Gilchrist School MG Temp & D.O., $750, Monitoring System, Curry Anadromous Fishermen MG Replacement Chiller Unit for Stafford Primary, $450, Stafford Primary MG Salmon Hatching Equipment for Athey Creek Life Learning, $450, Athey Creek Middle School July August 7 Calendar STAC Meeting Sisters R&E Board Meeting, Klamath Falls Sept STEP Conference Salem Sept. 16 Sept. 16 Oct Nov. 20 STAC Mini-grant Applications Due R&E Grant Applications Due STAC Meeting Coos Bay R&E Board Meeting, Grants Pass Angler s Corner: American Shad A native of the Atlantic Ocean, American shad (Alosa sapidissima) were introduced to the West Coast in early 1870s. They were first released in the Sacramento Bay, California and soon spread up the Pacific coastline to Oregon and Washington and into several river systems where the fish have developed into popular recreational fisheries. In Oregon, the Umpqua River, lower Willamette River and Columbia River are favorite fishing locations for this feisty gamefish. The Columbia River has the strongest run of American shad on the entire West Coast, with estimated numbers at two million or more fish. An anadromous fish species, American shad swim up rivers from the sea in the spring to spawn. Once the eggs hatch, the young shad spend part of the year in freshwater, then move out to sea. They remain in the ocean for four or five years before returning to freshwater to spawn. Unlike Pacific salmon, American shad are iteroparous, and may spawn several times over the course of their lifetime. On the West Coast, shad average 17 to 19 inches and weigh three to four pounds, although on the Columbia River they have been known to reach 24 inches and exceed 10 pounds. Anglers target American shad during their spawning run, which generally begins around mid-may and lasts well into the summer months. Shad are prized as crab bait, but some are eaten. The typical shad outfit is a lightweight spinning or fly rod and reel combination, with six-pound test line or leader. For lures, one of the most effective set-ups is a couple of beads of various colors in front of a hook. Commercially made shad darts are also popular and effective. Oregon offers excellent shad fishing opportunities on a number of rivers, where these gamefish provide anglers with plenty of action. Spoons and spinners are also a good choice for spin anglers. Flyfishers like streamers. Patterns with a sparse white body and tail of yellow or red material are popular. During their upstream migration, shad often gravitate to slower holding water that is between four and 10 feet deep and will congregate in schools that may include hundreds of fish. Where rivers narrow and at bends are good places to seek them out. Shad usually travel within 30 feet of the banks making them accessible to anglers without a boat. Because of its large run, the Columbia River is a favorite destination for shad anglers, who fish from the banks below the Bonneville and John Day dams. Fly anglers like the Umpqua River. Whatever location and gear you choose, you ll find shad fishing to be an enjoyable and challenging activity. STEP on the Web R&E Program on the Web STEP Conference Salmon in the City scheduled for Sept in Salem. Watch for details in the next issue or go to:

3 The FishWorks Shop Fish Eggs to Fry Spring 2009 What better way to learn about salmon, steelhead and trout and their importance to Oregon than to incubate fish eggs until they hatch, then take care of them for a short time until you release them into a local stream? That s the idea behind the Fish Eggs to Fry Program, coordinated through the Salmon Trout Enhancement Program along with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and schools throughout the state. This program allows school children to carefully nurture fish from the egg stage to the fry stage, maintaining the environmental conditions the fish need, while keeping records on their observations. Along the way, the children also learn about the value of Oregon s fisheries resources and develop a greater sense of environmental stewardship. Starting Out The first step in getting a classroom Fish Eggs to Fry Program going usually begins with the interested teacher contacting the local ODFW office for more information. Setting the process in motion involves reviewing the program criteria and requirements involving equipment needed and time and effort involved. The next step is to complete an egg request form. It takes about six weeks for the eggs to arrive at the classroom, so the incubation system needs to be up and running upon their arrival. ODFW has prepared a complete manual called Fish Eggs to Fry, Hatching Salmon and Trout in the Classroom that discusses equipment, techniques and other aspects of hatching fish eggs in the classroom and is an invaluable resource. Getting Equipped The heart of the classroom incubation system is an aquarium modified to keep water cold and clean, and provide an adequate supply of oxygen. Coldwater fish, especially salmon, steelhead and trout, have specific environmental requirements that must be maintained if the eggs and fry are to survive. Aquarium size depends on the number of fish to be raised. A 10-gallon aquarium, for example, will support about 200 fish. Some classrooms opt for a 20-gallon tank to increase the number of fish hatched. Other necessary aquarium fixtures and accessories include an undergravel filter, a few handfuls of rounded rocks for the eggs to incubate in, water pump and charcoal filter, and a plexiglass lid to keep the fry from jumping out after they hatch. A cooling system, or chiller unit, is imperative for maintaining the water in the correct temperature range of 42 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. There are several approaches Eyed eggs for the Fish Eggs to Fry Program are provided by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Fish Eggs to Fry Program teaches youth about the importance of being good stewards of Oregon s coldwater fisheries resources. to keeping aquarium water cold. The simplest and cheapest is to fill plastic milk or pop bottles with water, then place them in the aquarium in line with the water pump, which An Educational Series Presented by the R&E and STEP Programs

4 allows the flowing water to distribute the cold generated by the ice-filled bottles throughout the tank. By replacing the bottles periodically, cold water temperature is maintained. Another method involves procuring a refrigerator large enough to accommodate the aquarium and putting it inside. Still another approach is to adapt a chiller unit from an old pop machine or water fountain to use in the aquarium. The manual Fish Eggs to Fry, Hatching Salmon and Trout in the Classroom explores these methods in more detail. Other needed odds and ends include a thermometer, ph and dissolved oxygen test kits, and a turkey baster to remove dead eggs. Once this equipment is obtained and made operational, it is ready for the fish eggs. Incubating and Raising the Fish Watching the incubation, hatching and growth process is a fascinating educational experience for program participants. Fish eggs are usually delivered by ODFW staff, such as the local STEP biologist or perhaps by a STEP volunteer. As the fish fry are eventually released into a nearby stream, whether a classroom or school district receives salmon, steelhead or trout eggs depends on their geographic location so that only fish found in that area are released there. Once the eggs are placed in the aquarium, seeing them through to successful hatching involves regular monitoring and maintenance. The tank must be given an overall inspection twice a day to ensure that pumps, chiller and other systems are functioning. Water temperature should be measured at least once a day. Dead eggs need to be removed regularly. Over time, the egg development can be observed. Usually the eggs are delivered to classrooms in the eyed stage when eyes can be seen through the egg membrane. Eventually, tails and bodies are visible inside of the egg as the hatching date draws near. It is even possible to calculate when the eggs are likely to hatch based on water temperature, with warmer temperatures accelerating egg development and shortening incubation time. Once the fish hatch they are called alevins, and have a yolk sac, which is their temporary food supply. They will hide in the gravel at the bottom of the aquarium during this stage. After about a week, the alevins will absorb the yolk sac and swim to the surface. At this point they become fry and are ready to be released. Careful consideration must go into release locations, in consultation with ODFW fish biologists. Generally, the fry, whether they are salmon, steelhead or trout, are released in slow moving water along the edges of a stream where there is cover for them to hide from predators. STEP and R&E Program Involvement Once the fish reach fry stage, they are ready to be released into a local stream. The Fish Eggs to Fry Program is a very popular and successful vehicle for teaching youth about fish, the environment and stewardship of our natural resources. It is not unusual for 600 or more classrooms to participate in the program over the course of a year. STEP is a major force in the program, with local STEP biologists and STEP volunteers helping out, including as technical advisors and assisting with classroom instruction. The ODFW Salmon Trout Advisory Committee is also a key supporter and regularly awards grants to schools for purchasing aquariums, chillers and other supplies. For more information on STEP and the R&E Program, contact Coordinator Laura Tesler, at

5 Chum Salmon Reintroduction in Oregon By Tod Jones, STAC member Oregon tributaries to the Lower Columbia River and streams on the Oregon and California coast once teemed with chum salmon (O. keta). Recognized by there canine like teeth and bright calico coloration at spawning time, chum made up over half the salmonid biomass in the North Pacific rim from Southern Russia around the arctic to as far south as Monterey Bay, California. Utilizing the lower reaches of coastal rivers for reproduction, they were easily captured and used for human sustenance. Native Americans made use of the flesh, which was easily dried for long term usage, the skins for rain gear and other clothing items and bones for basket sewing, and beading. Chum were one of the earliest salmon to be exploited by Europeans as they settled on the west coast of America. Development focused on bottomland, the very habitat needed for chum fry recruitment. The ecosystem was compromised, and in many cases altered beyond recognition. ODFW staff have identified nearly 30 Oregon tributaries to the lower Columbia River that once supported significant runs of summer chum. Commercial catches of chum exceeded half a million fish each year. Speculation about the rapid decline of chum runs in the early 1940 s focused on the damming of the Columbia for hydropower, while others point to timber harvest techniques such as splash dams and logging road construction. Likely these as well as other environmental insults including thermal pollution, chemical run off from a variety of human activities have resulted in the demise of nearly all the Oregon Columbia River tributary runs of chum. Coastal Oregon still maintains a limited quantity of naturally spawning chum, most notably in the Miami River near Garibaldi. Chum salmon have traditionally been an important food source for Native American people in the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon. ODFW has recently launched an effort to re-introduce chum into a few of the tributaries now functionally devoid of chum. While legacy effects still linger from past practices, many of the streams lower reaches have healed to some degree. One run of wild chum has been stabilized on the Washington side of the Columbia at Grays River. Another population that spawns in the mainstem near Bonneville Dam appears to be producing some straying into other Washington streams. There is the possibility that with careful planning and well thought-out strategies, chum could be returned to at least a portion of the historical abundance. Multiple methods of reintroduction are being considered including release of fed fry from selected hatchery production, unfed fry from stream side hatch boxes and otolith marked eyed egg plants in carefully selected stream reaches. Chris Knutsen, ODFW District Biologist in Tillamook, is heading up the effort to identify streams and strategies for the project. STAC Seeks New Representatives The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking qualified candidates to fill the open positions representing the upper-willamette Valley and North Coast region on the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program advisory committee. Oregonians that are involved with local fishing groups, have previous experience working with volunteers and/or in community service, and are able to travel at least four times per year are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidates will be residents of either the upper-willamette Valley or the North Coast region. The committee is comprised of 13 members representing all regions of Oregon. Members are appointed by the Governor and meet quarterly in various communities throughout the state to conduct STEP business, and advise ODFW and the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on issues regarding STEP. Committee members are volunteers; however, business-related expenses are reimbursed. The positions will remain open until filled, though candidates are encouraged to apply by Aug. 31, STEP committee members are appointed to four-year terms and can be re-appointed once for a total term of eight years. For application materials, go to and follow the links to Boards and Commissions/Interest Form. For more information on STEP, contact ODFW staff at (503) Recent R&E Program Grants The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission recently approved 36 R&E grants for the biennium. More information about these projects may be obtained by contacting program staff at

6 STE P and R &E Programs Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 3406 Cherry Ave., N.E. Salem, OR Oregon FishWorks Spring 2009, Volume 13, Number 2 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 3406 Cherry Ave., N.E. Salem, OR Fax Roy Elicker, Director Laura Tesler, R&E Program Coordinator Laura Tesler, Interim STEP Coordinator Debbi Farrell, R&E/STEP Assistant Jim Yuskavitch, Editing and Design Restoration and Enhancement Board Lonnie Johnson, Chair... Sport Fishing Darlene Kline-Dolby... Sport Fishing Dixie Boley... Seafood Processing Gary Soderstrom... Gillnet Fishing Bob Mullong... Public-At-Large Terry Learned... Troll Fishing Jack Glass... Sport Fishing STEP Advisory Committee Dave Dunahay, Chair... Brookings Michael Brochu... Myrtle Creek Gary Enoch... Selma Rosemary Furfey...Portland William Hastie... Salem Richard Heap... Bend Tod Jones... Astoria Sammie Mosley...La Grande Vacant... ~ Armand Pena... Lakeside Tom Petersen... Mapleton Robert Rees... Tillamook Norman Ritchie... Portland Interim STEP Coordinator Laura Tesler, Salem (503) laura.tesler@state.or.us R&E/STEP Program Assistant Debbi Farrell, Salem (503) Deoborah.L. Farrell@state.or.us STEP Biologists North Coast STEP Robert Bradley (acting), Tillamook (503) Robert.Bradley@state.or.us Mid Coast STEP Vacant James Ray, Newport (541) x253 James.Ray@state.or.us Umpqua STEP Greg Huchko, Roseburg (541) Greg.F.Huchko@state.or.us Tenmile, Coos, and Coquille STEP Gary Vonderohe, Charleston (541) Gary.R.Vonderohe@state.or.us Tom Rumreich,Charleston (541) Thomas.J.Rumreich@state.or.us The Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program provides funding for fish restoration and enhancement projects throughout Oregon, while the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program harnesses the dedication and enthusiasm of volunteers to rehabilitate and enhance Oregon s fisheries. MISSION: FISHERY CONSERVATION STEP Contacts Lower Rogue STEP John Weber, Gold Beach (541) John.A.Weber@state.or.us Upper Rogue STEP Chuck Fustish, Central Point (541) Chuck.A.Fustish@state.or.us Lower Willamette STEP Jeff Fulop, Clackamas (971) Jeff.S.Fulop@state.or.us Mid Willamette STEP Karen Hans, Corvallis (541) x251 Karen.M.Hans@state.or.us Upper Willamette STEP Jeff Ziller, Springfield (541) x26 Jeffrey.S.Ziller@state.or.us Erik Moberly, Springfield (541) , x28 Erik.R.Moberly@state.or.us Eastern Oregon STEP Jennifer Luke, Bend (541) Jennifer.A.Luke@state.or.us To subscribe or unsubscribe to Oregon FishWorks, call R&E/STEP at (503)