Harrington
Lagoon Fry Numbers Increasing with the Season: Understanding
estuaries and their role in salmon habitat
March 20, 2005
Another productive seining -- part of the Understanding Estuaries and Their Role in Salmon Habitat Project -- took place on March 7th, at Harrington Lagoon. Anna Kagley of NOAA Fisheries and Beach Watchers Harry Moore, Bill Pigott and Bob Buck netted, counted, measured and released 15 Chinook, six Chum, and one Pink salmon fry.
This was the third seining exercise since the project began in early February, and the volunteer team observed that the Chinook fry were much larger this time around than during the previous catches -- generally 42-52 mm versus 30-32 mm in February -- and that the most productive nettings had taken place just inside the lagoon in shallow water. Both the temperature and salinity of the water had risen since the first outing; the temperature had risen 2 degrees Celsius and the salinity had increased from 19 parts per thousand (ppt) the first time to the mid 20's ppt the second time, and then to the low 30's ppt on March 7th, the most recent seining day.
The next Harrington Lagoon seining adventure is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on March 24th. The 'Team' is seeking additional volunteers so that they can begin collecting data from Race Lagoon. Their hope is to have two fully trained teams in place on Whidbey by April. Anna Kagley is also working with the Beach Watchers on Camano, with the help of Beach Watcher Barbara Brock. If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact Dot Irvin at doti@wsu.edu or call 360-679-7391.
For more information about this project read Understanding estuaries and their role in salmon habitat.
- Bob Buck Class of '04
For more information about Island County estuaries go to the Class of 2004'sEstuary Project Page