Grays Harbor Juvenile Fish Use Assessment 2012

This project continued our ongoing work of nearshore habitat use patterns of juvenile salmonids in the Grays Harbor Estuary. Wild Fish Conservancy staff sampled at least 30 sites throughout Grays Harbor twice per month from March through September. Sample sites were spread throughout the estuary in order to better capture the usage of the entire estuary, but targeted locations where habitat restoration and protection projects could potentially be sited. WFC will continued to sample in the locations identified in our annual study plan, developed with assistance from the Chehalis Basin Habitat Work Group.

In addition to fish usage data, WFC staff took Coded Wire Tag readings, genetic fin clips of chinook, and collected relevant physical habitat parameters and water quality data in order to determine how these variables might be driving habitat usage within the estuary. An outcome of this project includes a report that suggests habitat restoration and protection actions based on the data collected over the course of the project.

WFC will initiated the project in March of 2013 and continue through September of 2013. The report from the first two years of data collection was finished in the spring of 2013.

The goal is to understand the extent, timing, and species composition of fish usage in the Grays Harbor estuary. The objectives are to examine current nearshore habitat usage patterns of juvenile salmonids in the Grays Harbor Estuary. Wild Fish Conservancy staff will sample at least 30 sites throughout Grays Harbor twice per month from February through September.