DFG moves to solve salmon mystery

From Stockton’s Record:

King salmon smolts have been implanted with acoustical tags under a multi-agency research project to provide scientists answers to why as many as 90 percent of the young fish die each year while out-migrating through the south Delta and San Joaquin River.

“The project goal is to figure out what is killing the young salmon during their journey and solve those problems,” state Department of Fish and Game spokesman Harry Morse said. “It’s a mystery that must be solved.” He said 1,000 smolts have been implanted with transmitters at the Merced Hatchery as part of the Vernalis Adaptive Management Plan in the San Joaquin River Agreement. The transmitters are programmed by the U.S. Geological Service. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and two private consulting firms are providing technical assistance to the project.

“Tracking is done in the river and south Delta with acoustic receiver buoys,” Morse said. “Buoys have been anchored in key locations throughout the river system and water diversion pathways to track the salmon.”

Said Fish and Game biologist Tim Heyne: “The results of this study and other evaluations being conducted in the San Joaquin River basin will determine stream flows that are needed to overcome all the impediments to adequate salmon and steelhead production in this river system.”

Read the full text of this article from Stockton’s Record by clicking here.

Comments

Admin

• Log in

Credits

Powered by Vertigo & WordPress
WordPress Themes by Brian Gardner