Spawner SurveySpawner Survey Introduction Introduction

Ryan Jacobsen - Oregon Adult Salmonid Inventory and Sampling (OASIS)Alex Neerman - Lower Columbia Crew Leader

Ben Walczak – Assistant District Fish Biologist (North Willamette Watershed District)

Training Objectives• Review Purpose of the Spawning Survey Review Purpose of the Spawning Survey

ProgramProgram

• Describe field proceduresDescribe field procedures

– Survey LocationSurvey Location

– Typical SurveyTypical Survey

– Fish IDFish ID

Role of Survey Project• Monitoring and assessment of natural Monitoring and assessment of natural

stocks of Oregon coastal and L. Columbia stocks of Oregon coastal and L. Columbia anadromous salmonids.anadromous salmonids.

• Research and development on survey Research and development on survey techniques.techniques.

• Monitoring of adults of four species to Monitoring of adults of four species to create population estimatescreate population estimates

Monitoring Area• Lower Columbia and All Lower Columbia and All

Coastal Stream BasinsCoastal Stream Basins

• Four Watershed DistrictsFour Watershed Districts

• Seven Fishery Seven Fishery Management DistrictsManagement Districts

• Crews Stationed at Crews Stationed at ODFW and Partner Field ODFW and Partner Field OfficesOffices

The Oregon Plan RequiresImproved Monitoring to provide statistically

rigorous data on the Status, Trend, and Distribution

of Salmon PopulationsThree Main Projects

Habitat - Aquatic Inventories Project (AQI)

Juveniles - Western Oregon Rearing Project (WORP)

Adults - Spawning Surveys Project (OASIS)

Survey Location

Description of a Typical Survey

The basic idea• Make sure you are on the correct stream and segment (many surveys, but

not all will have signs, use GPS)

• Find your start point and survey upstream to end point

• During the survey count all live and dead fish

• Count all Redds • Collect all carcasses and take them back to the council office

• Identify species, sex, and take biological samples [scales, snouts]

• Zero data point is valuable-start and end of season [run timing]-No fish seen throughout season

Survey Gear

• Waders• Wading Boots (studs)• Polarized Glasses• Wading staff/gaffe• Field Vest• Forceps• Measuring Tape• Scale Cards

• Snout Tabs & Bags• Serrated Knife• Cut Gloves• Machete• Pencils (multiple)• Survey Tape & Sharpie• Field Notebook• PDA/GPS

Without Polarized Sunglasses

With Polarized Sunglasses