January 18, 2013
By tracking biological and climatic variables in the Pacific, scientists from NOAA Fisheries and Oregon State University say they have been able to accurately predict spring Chinook returns to the Columbia River for the past couple of years. A new paper, published in the peer-reviewed PLOS ONE [Public Library of Science], called Multivariate Models of Adult Pacific Salmon Returns, analyzes results from tracking 31 different variables over an 11-year period to come up with a prediction for 2012 upriver spring Chinook returns. The NOAA researchers estimate was 179,000 fish, close to the observed return at Bonneville of 186,000 fish plus an estimated lower river harvest of 16,000 fish, which added up to 202,000 fish--a prediction that was off by only 12 percent. When fewer variables were included in the model, estimates of the 2012 return jumped to a range between 300,000 and 600,000. Read more from yesterday's Northwest Fishletter article NOAA Builds Its Own Crystal Ball For Fish Predictions.
Today's Posts:
Klamath River Basin Issues:
OPB News: Departing Interior Secretary Leaves Big Northwest Footprint Jan 16, 2013
Senator Doug Whitsett: The 77th Legislative Assembly and the Governor's "state of the state" address Jan 17, 2013
Two Rivers Tribune: More Whistles Sound on Klamath River Science Jan 17, 2013
PNW Salmon News:
Napa Valley Register: Reader weighs in on wild vs. farmed salmon debate Jan 16, 2013
Redding Record-Searchlight: Ranchers, farmers credited with saving Chinook salmon by cutting water use Jan 16, 2013
Northwest Fishletter: Washington Follows Oregon's Lead, Kicks Gillnets Out Of Mainstem Columbia Jan 17, 2013
Northwest Fishletter: Gillnetters Appeal Oregon Harvest Changes Jan 17, 2013
Northwest Fishletter: NOAA Builds Its Own Crystal Ball For Fish Predictions Jan 17, 2013
Northwest Fishletter: Customers Irked At BPA's Call For More Dialog With Fish Advocates Jan 17, 2013
Northwest Fishletter: Latest Data Shows Barging Fish Still Best For Most Snake Stocks Jan 17, 2013
Northwest Fishletter: Experts Say Cutting Chinook Harvest Won't Help Killer Whales Jan 17, 2013
Columbia Basin Bulletin: Opening Black Box In A Salmon’s Life: Ocean Biological Indicators Improve Fish Return Forecasting Jan 18, 2013
Columbia Basin Bulletin: Ocean Condition Indicators Show Decent Juvenile Salmon Survival In 2012 Off NW Coast Jan 18, 2013
Columbia Basin Bulletin: Research: West Coast Salmon Runs Fluctuated Hugely Even Before Commercial Fishing Started Jan 18, 2013
Columbia Basin Bulletin: Washington Approves Lower Columbia Gill-Net Ban; Opponents Form Columbia River Legal Fund Jan 18, 2013
Columbia Basin Bulletin: NOAA Fisheries Proposes Critical Habitat For ESA-Listed Lower Columbia River Coho Salmon Jan 18, 2013
Columbia Basin Bulletin: Stock Productivity And Harvest Rates; Should Managers Consider Abundance Or Environmental Conditions Jan 18, 2013
Important Reading:
ODF&W: Wolf Program Updates Jan 16, 2013
Oregonian: Oregon wolves multiply to more than 50 Jan 16, 2013
The Spokesman Review: Landers: Tough decisions loom for wolves Jan 16, 2013
Capital Press: Quick killing of problem wolves best, experts say Jan 17, 2013
OPB News: Washington Wildlife Officials Report 'Unprecedented' Wolf Numbers Jan 17, 2013