Join us at 10:00 am (PDT) on Thursday, April 16th for the next meeting of the PNAMP Fish Monitoring Work Group (FMWG). During the meeting, we will update participants on current tasks, hear a presentation about innovative fish monitoring, and provide you with opportunities to engage regional managers and experts. These meetings are an opportune time to discuss tasks and get input from members on where they see importance or could use facilitated support.

Tech Talks: Developing Methods to Outplant Larval Pacific Lamprey in the Tucannon River & AlaKaZam – Bringing Pacific Lamprey back to the Tucannon River with Artificially-Propagated Larvae

Presenters: Mary Moser, PhD (Fisheries Biologist, Moserworks LLC, (retired – National Marine Fisheries Service)) and Zach Seilo (Lab Manager/Biologist, Pacific Lamprey Research and Restoration Project, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation)

Abstracts:

Developing Methods to Outplant Larval Pacific Lamprey in the Tucannon River

Authors: Mary L. Moser¹, Aaron D. Jackson², Alexa Maine², Jerrid Weaskus², Kanim Moses-Connor², Greg Silver³, and Jon Hess³

Starting in 2012, The Fisheries Program of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) developed methods for artificial propagation of Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) for research and restoration. One of the key objectives of this work was to successfully release artificially-propagated larvae into the Tucannon River following a regionally-established supplementation framework. Over the past five years this research has focused on identification of methods that result in the greatest larval survival after outplanting. Two methods were used to assess survival: 1) direct assessment during the first five days after outplanting in artificial redds, and 2) parentage analysis to assess relative survival rates of specific treatments. All larvae outplanted were near first feeding (23 – 40 d post fertilization). Survival during the first five days after outplanting artificial redds was uniformly high (>90%), except in 2023 when high siltation and larval density resulted in complete mortality when water circulation ceased (day 3), resulting in hypoxia. Pre-acclimation in Tucannon River water did not appear to convey any immediate survival advantage. Parentage analysis confirmed that larvae released from artificial redds and via less labor-intensive bucket dumps were both detected in subsequent years. These results will direct future release methods and guide management of Pacific Lamprey in the Tucannon River and other receiving waters.

AlaKaZam – Bringing Pacific Lamprey back to the Tucannon River with Artificially-Propagated Larvae

Authors: Zach Seilo, Aaron Jackson, Alexa Maine, Mary Moser, Jerrid Weaskus, Kanim Moses-Conner, Paul Sheoships, Greg Silver, Jon Hess

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have implemented a reintroduction program for Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) in the Columbia River Basin due to population declines throughout their historic range. Artificial propagation, a new frontier in restoration research for Pacific Lamprey, is one method that is supporting CTUIR reintroduction efforts. Parentage Based Tagging is being used to track artificially propagated larval lamprey in the wild after they are released.

From 2021-2025, 82 female and 82 male lampreys were cross-fertilized in the lab. The resulting larval lampreys were reared to a minimum of 25 days post-fertilization. Approximately 4.3 million artificially propagated larval lampreys were released into the Tucannon River during the 2021-2025 timeframe. The artificially propagated larvae were released at two sites in 2021 and 2022, and by 2025 the number of release sites had increased to five sites. Crosses were separated into two release treatments (staggered release and direct release). Electro-fishing surveys were conducted at multiple index sites along the river to assess presence and distribution of larval lampreys. Genetic analysis was conducted on all sampled larvae to determine whether they were from artificial propagation efforts.

Mark–recapture efforts were conducted using electrofishing surveys at 12 index sites systematically distributed throughout the Tucannon River. Larval lampreys collected during these surveys were submitted for genetic analysis. No artificially propagated larval lampreys were identified at the lower river index sites. Three index sites in the upper Tucannon River were located near larval lamprey release locations (river kilometers 50.1 and 60.1). Although no larval lamprey were detected at these sites prior to releases, artificially propagated larvae were recaptured there after release. In 2025, 28 larval lamprey and one transformed juvenile from the 2021 release were collected at a screw trap near the mouth of the Tucannon River during emigration from the watershed. Data from the ongoing artificial propagation and mark–recapture efforts in the Tucannon River are expected to significantly improve understanding of Pacific lamprey life history in the coming years.

Agenda

• 10:00 – Welcome and Introductions
• 10:05 – Task Updates
• 10:20 – Tech Talk
• 11:10 – Q&A
• 11:30 – Adjourn

Click link below to join on April 16th

Never been to a FMWG meeting? This meeting is a perfect time to learn about the project, join in, and help guide future work.

Missed a previous FMWG meeting? Check out our YouTube page for presentations or task meetings.

The PNAMP Fish Monitoring Work Group (FMWG), meets quarterly to discuss task progress, share expertise through guest presentations, and support collaboration, communication, and coordination among fish monitoring practitioners for effective monitoring and efficient data sharing. The FMWG is also interested in your work; if you would like to present your innovative fish monitoring ideas or any recent publications at a future meeting please contact Meg Dethloff, mdethloff@psmfc.org