200754600 - Test of protocols and validation of estimates derived with traditional and new methods for steelhead adults, smolts, and parr using an instream PIT-tag interrogation system

Sponsor: US Geological Survey - Cook

Short description: The goal of this project is to compare adult, smolt, and parr steelhead migrant estimates from conventional trapping and mark-recapture methods to estimates from an instream PIT-tag interrogation system.

Location: Columbia Gorge province, Wind subbasin

Budgets: FY08: $155,853 | FY09: $80,932

Primary species:
Anadromous: Steelhead: Lower Columbia River ESU (threatened)

Objectives

ObjectiveDescriptionSubbasin planStrategies
1. Test PTIS efficacy for adult STH estimates Test efficacy of using a PIT-Tag Interrogation System (PTIS) for estimating adult steelhead returning to a fourth-order watershed. Lower Columbia Monitor adult and smolt abundance; Monitor spatial structure; Use adult and juvenile monitoring to estimate growth rate and spawner recruit parameters
2. Test PTIS efficacy for juvenile STH estimates Test efficacy of using a PTIS for estimating number of steelhead smolts and parr emigrating from a fourth-order watershed. Lower Columbia Monitor adult and smolt abundance; Monitor spatial structure; Use adult and juvneile monitoring to estimate growth rate and spwner-recruitment parameters
3. Compare estimates and recommend protocols Compare estimates of adult and juvenile steelhead passage from the PTIS to the adult traps and smolt trap. Recommend protocols for using a PTIS to replace or enhance estimates derived from adult and smolt traps. Deriving estimates from different methods and recommending protocols, new techniques, and improvements in monitoring serves the entire basin. These protocols can be applied to many instances where population and effectiveness monitoring are warrented.

Narrative

Recommendations

  • ISRP: Unranked
  • Council: Not fundable
  • BPA: Not fundable