56336

2003-017-00 EXP ISEMP -USFWS ENTIAT R FISHERIES EFFECTIVENESS M&E

2/1/2012

1/31/2013

157. Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data

Work Element Usage Report

I: 157 - Conduct mainstem off-channel effectiveness monitoring as part of Entiat IMW

The USFWS MCRFRO will conduct seasonal quantitative biological evaluations of existing and proposed off-channel habitats within the Entiat River. The proposed actions conform to the habitat implementation strategy and study objectives outlined within the Entiat River IMW study design. This study will monitor habitat and associated fish use in off-channel habitat as defined as watered aquatic habitat outside of the main channel. USFWS will use a suite of tools consisting of seasonal mark-recapture events using PIT tags and PIT tag interrogation sites. This fish monitoring will be supported by habitat and macroinvertebrate monitoring carried out by Terraqua under a separate contract. The mark-recapture sampling, focused on juvenile steelhead and Chinook salmon, will be conducted within a time frame similar to main-channel mark-recapture sampling periods (winter and summer) with the addition of a fall sampling period. In addition, the use of instream PIT tag detection antennas will generate survival and movement data.

This sampling design will produce sufficient data to determine species composition, abundance, and site use patterns. Estimates of steelhead age composition, growth, and survival estimates will be dependent upon sufficient numbers of fish captured and PIT tagged during seasonal mark-recapture events. We anticipate high capture efficiencies during sampling periods based on previous experience and the ability to utilize block netting within off-channel sites. Ultimately, the likelihood of obtaining age, growth, and survival estimates will be dependent upon the number of fish utilizing these specific habitats. We will further investigate the potential use of mobile wand antennas to increase resighting occasions if proven necessary.

At newly constructed habitat, the time frame for basic biological responses is expected to be short (seasonal); however, longer monitoring periods will be required to evaluate a biological response over time (annual). The long-term performance of off-channel habitats is an important monitoring consideration as natural processes may alter biological benefits over time. To better address the long-term biological response resident species such as whitefish and sculpin will be included in study considerations. These resident fish, if encountered in sufficient numbers, may prove useful in the long-term monitoring of these sites. The MCRFRO will provide the PIT tags for these fish species. For planning purposes we will assume that off-channel habitat monitoring will be conducted for the duration of the Entiat River IMW study.

A quantitative evaluation of fish use would be achieved through seasonal mark-recapture sampling (winter, summer, and fall) and year round antenna monitoring (condition dependent). During 2012, up to six off-channel sites will be chosen for this project. Sites will be selected from within the current IMW boundaries for the Entiat River and will be distributed throughout the study area. Sites will include a variety of both existing and planned off-channel habitat types. Cascadia Conservation District will secure all necessary landowner permissions for selected sites. The proposed timeline is:

USFWS staff will measure the following metrics:

1. Species composition will be inferred from each fish capture event. Capture probability will be calculated for each capture method and catch-per-unit-effort will be recorded.
2. Steelhead and Chinook salmon abundance will be estimated by conducting mark-recapture surveys where fish are PIT tagged within each off-channel site. This may include abundance estimates of non-target taxa (whitefish, sculpin, etc.) if present in sufficient numbers.
3. Species specific site use patterns will be determined through analysis of data collected from PIT tag antennas maintained within each site. Antennas will be operated continuously throughout the year with limited exceptions.
4. Steelhead age composition analysis will be inferred from the analysis of recaptured PIT tagged fish and may include recaptures at other locations (RST and other mark-recaptures sampling sites) if within site recaptures are insufficient.
5. Estimates of growth per day will be obtained from within site recaptures of PIT tagged fish. Recaptures at other locations will be included only when the time between the fish leaving the study site and the recapture is considered negligible.
6. Seasonal survival estimates will be obtained from a combination of recaptures and antenna resightings.

During 2012, habitat assessments and macroinvertebrate monitoring will be conducted by Terraqua, Inc. staff. Habitat assessments will be conducted in concert to the greatest extent possible with off-channel mark-recapture sampling periods. The MCRFRO will operate fixed water temperature data-loggers and will begin work to establish point discharge estimates at each site.

Operation and Maintenance of Instream PIT tag detection arrays
The construction of antennas and power supplies will be performed by the WDFW. This agreement will mimic the current agreement between WDFW and ISEMP for stream-width antenna sites in the Entiat River. The number of antennas required will be dependent upon the size and specific characteristics of each site. For example, off-channel habitats that reconnect to the main-channel river may require two antennas, while habitats that do not reconnect may only require one antenna. Reconnecting sites may also require two separate power supplies depending upon the distance between antenna locations.

Antennas constructed to operate with an Allflex transceiver and data-logger would be suitable for this project. We assume that most sites will not have access to grid AC power and will require additional batteries available for weekly replacement. Antenna efficiency will be calculated during mark-recapture sampling (spring, summer, and fall) at a minimum.
Data dissemination
Tagging files generated from mark-recapture sampling will be submitted to PTAGIS directly following the sampling period. Antenna interrogation data will be downloaded and submitted to PTAGIS weekly. A review of all related activities and outcomes will be included within our current annual report to BPA and made available to all interested parties.

$66,392

13.33%

02/01/2012

01/31/2013

01/31/2013

Concluded

n/a

n/a

Recurring