Seining
Purpose:
To provide data over time on the out-migrating salmon populations that use the pocket estuaries on Whidbey and Camano Islands, on their way to the sea.
Description:
This is a research project with an educational component. It is a partnership with NOAA and the Skagit River Systems Cooperative, researching the role that selected Island County pocket estuaries play in the Puget Sound salmon recovery effort. Locally, this project serves to educate resident citizens about the value of pocket estuaries and the need to preserve them. About twenty-five volunteers are involved in this project during any given season. (most active February - June)
Training is conducted on-site, supplemented by periodic laboratory and classroom fish identification training. The five seining locations in Island County exceed the number of similar projects in any other Washington county.
A similar seining project is taking place at Ala Spit, to determine the importance of this eroding spit to the out-migrating salmon juveniles.
Volunteer Oppportunities:
The seining crew welcomes new volunteers. No experience is needed. Learning comes quickly. This activity involves considerable walking, wading, and pulling. However, volunteers are also needed to stand by and keep the records.
Contact
- CONTACT(Bob Buck for Seining/Whidbey Estuaries)
- CONTACT(Barbara Brock for Seining/Camano Estuaries)
- CONTACT(Joe Beck for Seining/Ala Spit).