Monitoring Marine Mammal Predation on San Lorenzo River Steelhead

Overview

Objectives/Goals -Problem Statement: Not enough adult steelhead are returning to the San Lorenzo River to maintain a healthy population. -Statement of Purpose: To determine the severity and frequency of marine mammal predation on the local San Lorenzo River steelhead population. -Investigative Question: Are predatory marine mammals selectively preying on a specific cross-section of the steelhead population (males, females, hatchery fish, and wild fish)? -Hypothesis: That over six percent of the local San Lorenzo River steelhead will have evidence of predatory marine mammal attack. Methods/Materials -Materials: -Partnership with Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout project, National Marine Fisheries, and the Department of Fish and Game. -Necessary access to the local San Lorenzo Valley diversion dam: facilities include an inflatable dam, fish ladder, and fish trap. -Large "salmon" net -Holding tank -Waterproof camera -Clip board -Methods: -Set trap during spawning season -Check on a regular basis Step # 1: Net fish out of the trap one at a time Step # 2: Place in holding tank Step # 3: Determine the sex of the individual (A female will have a rounded nose, and a male will have an elongated nose) Step # 4: Measure in inches Step # 5: Note the color of the steelhead Step # 6: Determine origin (A wild steelhead has its adipose fin intact, a hatchery steelhead will have its adipose fin clipped)

Awards (1)

• Category Award

Competition history

• CSEF 2003 Zoology · Entry S1903

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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