Tribes partner in marine survival research
Treaty Indian tribes have invested millions of dollars in hatchery programs and habitat restoration, but poor marine survival continues to stand in the way of salmon recovery. Marine survival rates…
Marine survival research focuses on juvenile salmon, preferred prey
Fisheries managers studying poor ocean survival of salmon are concentrating their research on juvenile fish and their preferred prey.
Several tribes are collaborating on studies slated to begin in 2014 as part of the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project. The Tulalip, Nisqually, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Lummi, Swinomish and Sauk-Suiattle tribes are among the collaborators that have signed on to sample zooplankton throughout the region.
Zooplankton and ichthyoplankton are the preferred prey for juvenile salmon. Researchers want to find out whether prey availability has changed in the Salish Sea during the critical period of juvenile salmon development, leading to poor growth and survival. (more…)
Trust Is The Key To Better Fisheries Management
Cooperative natural resources co-management at its best was displayed during this year's North of Falcon process for setting Indian and non-Indian salmon fishing seasons in western Washington. The results were…
Tribes close fishery early to ensure future runs
STEILACOOM (October 3, 2008) – Tribal fishing in Chambers Bay will close about two weeks early to make sure that enough adult chinook make it back to a hatchery to produce the next generation of fish.
People and Salmon: We’re in the same boat
"Who comes first? Salmon or the humans?" Minority state house Leader Richard DeBolt asked this important question recently, criticizing salmon protection measures he believes contribute to increased flooding in the region. He’s understandably upset because his community of Chehalis was ravaged by this winter’s floods. Our hearts go out to the thousands of people in western Washington who suffered through some of the worst flooding in decades. Salmon and people are not in a race. There is no first or second place. People and salmon must succeed together.
Skagit Valley Herald: Grant helps Swinomish prepare for oil spills
The Skagit Valley Herald (subscription required) has an article about the Swinomish Tribe’s new oil-spill response trailer. The Quinault, Hoh, Makah, Lummi, Tulalip, Nisqually, Quileute and Port Gamble S’Klallam tribes also benefited from this Department of Ecology grant.
Grant helps Swinomish prepare for oil spills
By KATE MOSER Staff WriterAfter 20 years of experience responding to oil spills, including Exxon-Valdez, Swinomish Police Sgt. James Lynch knows that there is a lot of work to be done for whoever responds the quickest.
“The bottom line is, whoever gets there with the boom first, God bless ’em,” Lynch said, referring to an oil-containment boom, which is a floating barrier used to corral the oil.
That’s why Lynch applied for a state Department of Ecology grant on behalf of the Swinomish Police Department, making oil-spill response equipment ready for use whenever any agency in Skagit County needs it.
Indian Country Today: ‘People have got to stand up’
Indian Country Today: Frank, Nisqually, is co-chairman of the Puget Sound Partnership, a governor-appointed panel charged with developing a plan to restore the health of Puget Sound by 2020. For…
60 Tons of Salmon Carcasses Benefit In the Nisqually Watershed
EATONVILLE (December 4, 2006) – During the last seven winters over 60 tons of chinook salmon carcasses – plus almost 30,000 pounds this year – have been tossed in streams around the Nisqually River watershed through the Nisqually Tribe's carcass distribution program. The tribe takes carcasses from their two hatcheries, and with help from volunteers, distributes them throughout the watershed, adding much needed marine nutrients to the eco-system. Salmon carcasses bring nutrients back from the ocean that are food for over 147 species of wildlife.
From City Park To Salmon Habitat
EATONVILLE (August 22, 2006) – The Nisqually Tribe and the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group are removing a rock berm at Smallwood Park to improve salmon habitat by replacing it with a series of logjams. The 10 foot tall berm was built along 300 feet of the river to prevent erosion of Smallwood Park, but at the same time has impeded salmon spawning and rearing in the Mashel River. “The habitat around Smallwood Park isn’t good at all for salmon,” said Jeanette Dorner, salmon recovery manager for the Nisqually Tribe. “The berm constricts the river, intensifying flow, making it hard for salmon nests to survive, and there isn’t anywhere for young salmon to rest or feed.”
Nisqually Tribe Tracks Steelhead Journey
NISQUALLY (June 16, 2006) – Steelhead have been slowly disappearing from the Nisqually River for at least the last decade and the Nisqually Indian Tribe wants to know why. “There is plenty of good habitat for steelhead in the Nisqually watershed, so we think they’re running into problems in saltwater," said David Troutt, natural resources manager for the Nisqually Tribe. "But, we don’t know that for sure.” Tribal and state co-managers would like to see just under 2,000 steelhead return to spawn every year to the Nisqually, but since 1993, fewer than 1,000 have come back. Decades ago, the Nisqually River had the strongest run of steelhead in Puget Sound; over 6,000 would return every year. Nisqually River steelhead are part of a stock that is currently being considered for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act.