t I T Development of wild fish surrogates for Upper Willamette River salmonids David L. G. Noakes Carl B. Schreck Cameron Sharpe Eric J. Billman Julia R. Unrein Rob Chitwood Olivia Hakanson Ryan Couture Joseph O Neil E V I T A F I Y R E H S R E P C O O R E S E E G O N s A u o m R at o s C Sempe C O R r H N U
Need for wild surrogates for studies for the Willamette Valley Project RME Plan Photo: NOAA Fisheries
Need for wild surrogates for studies for the Willamette Valley Project RME Plan Wild juveniles Limited availability Unacceptable levels of take Use of hatchery origin juveniles Hatchery phenotype wild phenotype
Development of wild surrogates for Upper Willamette River salmonids Goal: Assess targeted rearing techniques to produce hatchery origin fish with desired phenotypes for RM&E studies. Objective 1: coordinate with researchers to provide wild fish surrogates. Objective 2: conduct experimental research to optimize performance of wild fish surrogates.
Wild Fish Surrogates and the Oregon Hatchery Research Center Oregon Hatchery Research Center Mission Statement Understand mechanisms that may create differences between hatchery and wild fish. Develop approaches to manage hatchery fish that conserve and protect native fish. Educate the public on the relationship between hatchery and wild fish...
Objective 1: Provide wild fish surrogates Determine need Desired phenotype for research objectives Natal sub basin for fish source Produce wild fish surrogates exhibit select aspects of wild fish phenotype to best meet study needs at release.
Establishing target
BY2010 Fingerlings BY2011 Eggs BY2012 Eggs M. Fk. BY2012 Eggs McKenzie BY2012 Eggs N. Santiam 2011 2012 2013 2014 S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M Delivered to researchers BY2010 JSATS Cougar & Detroit BY2011 JSATS Cougar & Detroit BY2011 Radio tag: Cougar BY2011 JSATS Cougar & Detroit Literature Review Chinook Phenotype Workshop Workshop report Annual report
BY2012 Eggs M. Fk. BY2012 Eggs McKenzie BY2012 Eggs N. Santiam BY2013 Eggs M. Fk. BY2013 Eggs McKenzie BY2013 Eggs N. Santiam 2011 2012 2013 2014 S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M Delivered to researchers BY2011 Radio tag: Cougar BY2011 JSATS Cougar & Detroit BY2012 JSATS Cougar & Detroit BY2012 Radio tag: Fall Creek BY2012 Radio tag: Cougar BY2012 JSATS Cougar & Detroit Annual report Steelhead Surrogates Annual report
Wild fish surrogates for RM&E studies Deliveries to researchers Total = 3,860 wild fish surrogates Cougar Dam 10 deliveries JSATS tag studies Spring and Fall 2012 Radio tag study Fall 2012 Detroit Dam 6 deliveries JSATS tagging studies Spring and Fall 2012
Wild fish surrogates for RM&E studies Planned deliveries Total = 6,040 wild fish surrogates Cougar Dam 13 deliveries JSATS tag studies Spring and Fall 2013, Spring 2014 Radio tag study Fall 2013 Detroit Dam 9 deliveries JSATS tag studies Spring and Fall 2013, Spring 2014 Fall Creek Dam 2 deliveries Radio tag study Fall 2013
Objective 2: experimental research to optimize performance of wild fish surrogates Research facilities Fish Performance and Genetics Lab Oregon Hatchery Research Center Controlled studies to determine aspects of rearing necessary to produce desired phenotype Establish measurable criteria to evaluate wild fish surrogates Fish Performance and Genetics Lab Oregon Hatchery Research Center
Challenge of developing wild surrogates 128 mm FL mature male Managing growth and early maturation with constraints of end user s research objectives Balancing equation: environment + diet = growth + condition + life history tactic
Challenge of developing wild surrogates Fall Creek Reservoir 245 mm FL 140 mm FL
Experimental research Rearing protocol + Phenotype = Optimize surrogates Incubation temperature Incubation substrate Rearing temperature Cover Substrate Density Circular tank Trough Artificial stream Diet Feeding regime Behavioral phenotypes Growth patterns Maturation Movement Morphology Coloration Fin condition Lipid content Fatty acid composition Stress response Brain development Metabolic rate Migratory patterns What aspects of rearing protocol are necessary to produce desired phenotype for wild fish surrogates?
Assessment of experimental diets with low lipid content Modulated growth Lower fat index Reduced precocity Wild GSI (%) 3 2 1 commercial experimental Experimental diet 0 low ration: cold high ration: cold high ration: warm Commercial diet
Relationship between life history tactics and behavioral phenotypes early in life
Vertical position in tanks of first feeding fry surface Surface vs bottom Shorter head Smaller eye Deeper body Shorter caudal peduncle bottom Morphological variation at 60 mm FL
Downstream movement of fry after swim up What abiotic or biotic stimuli contribute to downstream movement?
Evaluating surrogates Wild fish Wild fish surrogates
Evaluating surrogates: behavior Test movement behavior Wild fish surrogates compared to hatchery standard 3 week study
Evaluating surrogates: behavior Downstream movement associated with rain events. Downstream movement at night. Movers were significantly larger than stayers and missing fish. Wild fish surrogates more likely to move at all sizes compared to the hatchery standard.
Future plans Provide wild fish surrogates with desired phenotypes Establish target: Collection and synthesis of wild fish data Validate surrogates: Measurable criteria to assess performance Experimental research: Determine appropriate rearing protocols
Collaborators and Partners US Army Corps of Engineers Fish rearing Diet Oregon Hatchery Research Center Oregon State Fish Hatcheries Rick Barrows, Wendy Sealey, Gibson Gaylord: Bozeman Fish Technology Center Ann Gannam, Ron Twibell: Abernathy Fish Technology Center Wild fish targets Kirk Schroeder, Luke Whitman, Ben Clemens, Fred Monzyk, Jeremy Romer: ODFW Corvallis Research Lab Greg Taylor, Todd Pierce: US Army Corps of Engineers
Questions