BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1997 Proposal
Section 1. Administrative
Section 2. Narrative
Section 3. Budget
see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations
Section 1. Administrative
Title of project
Effects of Avian Predation in the Estuary
BPA project number 5517000
Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
TBD
Sponsor type Placeholder
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
| Name | TBD | |
| Mailing address | ||
| Phone |
BPA technical contact ,
Biological opinion ID Research M&E Program; hyp C.1.2
NWPPC Program number 5.7B.21
Short description
Effects of avian predation in the estuary.
Project start year 1997 End year
Start of operation and/or maintenance 0
Project development phase PLANNING
Section 2. Narrative
Related projects
Project history
Biological results achieved
Annual reports and technical papers
Management implications
Cormorants, Caspian terns, and other fish-eating birds have increased in abundance in recent years in the estuary of the Columbia River. Intensity of their predation upon juvenile salmon has not been quantified. Some work on the Oregon coast has indicated that avian predation can be an important factor in reducing coho salmon numbers (McNeil et al. 1989).
Specific measureable objectives
Testable hypothesis
Hypothesis C.1.2: Smolt survival in the estuary cannot be increased by control of avian predation.
Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
Methods
The study initially would focus on foods of common fish-eating birds in the estuary. Conceptually, control of avian predators found to consume large numbers of salmon smolts does not differ from control of squawfish in the migration corridor. The Recovery Plan [Task No. 2.8.a.2)] recommended research to determine extent of predation and evaluate predation controls.
Abundance of avian predators and their timing of use in the estuary should be examined as a parallel to food habits work. Use of the Columbia River estuary by large numbers of breeding terns and cormorants during the peak of the smolt migration may have increased predation rates
Brief schedule of activities
Biological need
Critical uncertainties
Summary of expected outcome
Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
Risks
Monitoring activity
Section 3. Budget
Data shown are the total of expense and capital obligations by fiscal year. Obligations for any given year may not equal actual expenditures or accruals within the year, due to carryover, pre-funding, capitalization and difference between operating year and BPA fiscal year.| Historic costs | FY 1996 budget data* | Current and future funding needs |
| (none) | New project - no FY96 data available | 1997: 500,000 1998: 500,000 1999: 500,000 2000: 500,000 2001: 500,000 |
* For most projects, Authorized is the amount recommended by CBFWA and the Council. Planned is amount currently allocated. Contracted is the amount obligated to date of printout.
Funding recommendations
CBFWA funding review group System Policy
Recommendation Tier 2 - fund when funds available
Recommended funding level $500,000