Monitoring Coho Salmon with Sound: Lagunitas Creek DIDSON Pilot Projec

In 2012, Lagunitas Creek was selected as a life cycle monitoring station (LCMS) by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). A major component of LCMS is the use of adult counting stations to determine adult coho and steelhead escapement. Dual-frequency identification sonar (DIDSON) technology was identified by CDFW as a potential non-intrusive survey method for meeting the adult counting station requirement. During the winters of 2012–2013 and 2013–2014, a DIDSON camera was installed in Lagunitas Creek by Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA) staff. Although a 2012–2013 coho escapement estimate could not be calculated using the available DIDSON footage, steelhead escapement estimates of 388 and 395 were calculated for the first time on Lagunitas Creek. In the 2013–2014 season, escapement estimates of 13 and 16 were calculated for chinook; 468 and 377 for coho; and 424 and 512 for steelhead. This talk will feature background information on coho salmon, Lagunitas Creek, and DIDSON technology; the methods used during the pilot project; findings of the project; and DIDSON footage from the project.

Speaker: Ben Atencio