Salish Sea Marine Survival Project - BC Seal Predation

A project of University of British Columbia in conjunction with the partners and sponsors detailed below.

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Introduction

Quantification of harbour seal predation on out-migrating juvenile coho using head-mounted PIT tag scanners.

Over the past 3 years we have developed with Wildlife Computers a satellite-linked PIT tag scanner that is designed to quantify the number of PIT tagged fish ingested by harbour seals. These RFID tags are suitable to be affixed to the heads of harbour seals, and the internal PIT tag scanner is activated when seals attempt to capture fish (head-strikes), thereby detecting the presence of PIT tagged fish in the mouths of the seals. PIT tag detections are logged by the instrument and then transmitted via the ARGOS satellite network, providing the number of fish consumed and the complete PIT tag IDs.

Half duplex PIT tags were implanted in 36,900 coho smolts at the Big Qualicum hatchery >1 month prior to the release of 381,800 total coho smolts (9.7% tagging rate). 20 harbour seals were captured prior to the fish release, and outfitted with RFID tags (the PIT tag scanners) in addition to back-mounted GPS/3D accelerometers (used for reconstructing seal movements). Seals were tagged in the mouth of the Big Qualicum River (9 animals), in addition to other rocky haulout sites (11 animals). The purpose of this design was to determine a coho smolt predation rate for the animals that likely specialize on out-migrating smolts, versus those seals that likely feed in other areas and represent the larger portion of the seal population.

Coho smolts were released from Big Qualicum hatchery on Monday May 4th. Since then we have received PIT tag detections from multiple RFID tagged harbour seals, indicating when and where coho smolt predation primarily occurs. Data will be used to reconstruct the total number of juvenile coho consumed by the harbour seal population, and will aid in the design of predation mitigation measures.

This work is part of the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project.

The Salish Sea Marine Survival Project leverages human and financial resources from the United States and Canada to determine the primary factors affecting the survival of juvenile salmon and steelhead in the Salish Sea. It is the largest and most important research of its kind in the shared waters of British Columbia and Washington State, addressing a key uncertainty impeding salmon recovery and sustainable fisheries. The project will, for the first time, undertake a comprehensive study of the physical, chemical and biological factors impacting salmon survival, in order to improve our collective understanding of salmon in saltwater, facilitating smarter management and stronger returns.

Over 40 organizations, representing diverse philosophies and encompassing most of the region’s fisheries and marine research and management complex, are working together on this massive transboundary effort. And, the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) and Long Live the Kings (LLTK) are coordinating it.

Project Partners

UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit

The Marine Mammal Research Unit (MMRU) is integrated within the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and works with other departments and institutions, combining specialties in a coordinated effort to provide independent research and advice on matters related to marine mammals. Members investigate interactions between humans and marine mammals, marine mammals as indicators of ecosystem change, and the natural history, biology and conservation of marine mammals.

Wildlife Computers

Wildlife Computers is a leading innovator in electronic tagging technology for marine animal applications, specializing in designing and manufacturing the best tag design possible for any given type of research project. To accomplish this, they have a team of engineers who optimize tag electronics for efficiency in data collection and encoding (to maximize the amount of useful data returned), and tag geometry (to minimize the impact on the study animal).

Vancouver Aquarium Research

Since 1956, Vancouver Aquarium researchers have been conducting original studies of habitats and animals (fish, invertebrates and mammals) in the wild and on site to advance our knowledge necessary to enhance environmental conservation. Much of their research would be impossible to perform in the wild and there are few opportunities for researchers, in academic or government research departments, to access captive animals. They are in a unique position to study and observe aquatic life. www.vanaqua.org

Project Sponsors

The Pacific Salmon Foundation

The Pacific Salmon Foundation, founded in 1987, is a federally incorporated non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild Pacific salmon and their natural habitats in British Columbia and the Yukon. Operating independently from government, The Foundation facilitates dialogue and undertakes positive initiatives in support of Pacific salmon amongst all levels of government including First Nations; as well as industry, communities, individual volunteers and all fishing interests.

www.psf.ca