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
Estuary, Predator/Prey

BPA project number   5516900

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
TBD

Sponsor type   Placeholder

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   ,

Biological opinion ID   Research M&E Program; hyp C.1.1

NWPPC Program number   5.7B.17, 5.7B.19

Short description
Interactions between juvenile salmon and competitors/predators.

Project start year   1997    End year   2007

Start of operation and/or maintenance   0

Project development phase   

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects

Project history

Biological results achieved

Annual reports and technical papers

Management implications
One of the most likely competitor fish species of juvenile salmon in the estuary is shad. Shad, age 1+, are commonly found in the estuary year-around. and interaction may be between yearling shad and spring-migrant salmon in the May/mid-June period, and, more plausibly, between yearling shad and subyearling chinook in June-October. This could involve food interaction, and support of a larger predator base than would otherwise exist. Competition is difficult to document, even with overlapping or identical food habits. Similarly, evaluating the direct and indirect effects of predation is equally as difficult. Such studies requires field assessments of fish (predators and competitors) distribution and food habits, and may involve laboratory experimentation in which allopatry and sympatry can be examined in a range of temperatures and other physical and biological conditions. Output of data from Hyp. VI.A.1. will help determine need for more intensive study of shad interactions with salmon. The outcome of studies in Hyp. IIF.1 will also assist decision-makers in determining whether elimination of shad upstream from BON is warranted as a management experiment.

Interannual variability in the abundance of salmonid predators (piscivores), such as lampreys, in the estuarine may be a significant cause of differential and reduced recruitment of salmon. As cited previously, Beamish et al. (1995) has shown in the Fraser River/Strait of Georgia system that lamprey feed on juvenile salmonids leading to significant mortality. Because lampreys inhabit the Columbia River estuary, studies evaluating lamprey population size and interactions with juvenile salmon is warranted.

Specific measureable objectives

Testable hypothesis
Hypothesis C.1.1: Juvenile salmon and competitor/predator fish species do not interact.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints

Methods
The field ecology study, with respect to potential competitor and predator interactions, can be done. It is doubtful if effects of shad removal on salmon numbers in the Columbia River can be detected in the presence of many other ecological changes that occur over time. The SRSRT argued that shad should be reduced to levels that existed pre-dam development.

Brief schedule of activities

Biological need

Critical uncertainties

Summary of expected outcome

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation

Risks

Monitoring activity

Section 3. Budget

* 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   $200,000