Data
on more than 40 Chinook, a score of chum and a few pinks recorded on
March 24th; 160 salmon fry identified on April 4th: Understanding
estuaries and their role in salmon habitat
April 14, 2005
The seining project at Harrington Lagoon on March 24th was highlighted
by the arrival of no less than 17 Beach Watchers volunteers. Many
of the new faces were 2005 class members, anxious to "get their
feet wet." NOAA representative
Kurt Fresh took advantage of the large attentive audience to educate everyone
about the importance of the project, and how Harrington Lagoon data contributes
to the bigger picture of salmon habitat. The team recorded data on more than
40 Chinook, a score of chum and a few pinks. Some Chinook and chum measured
out at 60 millimeters, making them the largest to date.
A second seining, on April 4th with seven volunteers, was led
by NOAA's Anna Kagley. In spite of cooler temperatures both in
and out of the water, it was a most productive seining, identifying
over 160 salmon fry. The fry were all chum except for scattering
of pinks, without a single Chinook. These chum were definitely
younger than those in the March 24 sampling, as most were smaller
and some were, as Anna said, "unzipped," meaning they had recently
lost their yolk sacks, leaving an abdominal slit that would later
close.
The team consensus is that they are ready to tackle seining at Race Lagoon when a second net becomes available.
For more information about this project read Understanding estuaries and their role in salmon habitat.
For more information about Island County estuaries go to the Class of 2004's
Estuary Project Page