ODFW Declares Steelhead Tagging Program

The Oregon Division of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) introduced final week the implementation of a brand new program to trace steelhead.

In keeping with the company’s web site, “Biologists are placing satellite tv for pc ‘pop-off’ tags on 10 grownup winter steelhead within the Rogue and Chetco rivers this spring. The objective is to tag ‘kelts’ – the fish that already efficiently spawned and are heading again to sea.”

What’s fascinating about steelhead is that, per ODFW, these fish are hardly ever encountered in business fishing operations. Salmon, alternatively, routinely present up as bycatch (or maintain a business fishery of their very own, relying on the species). Since salmon present up as bycatch, or maintain their very own business fishing seasons, scientists are in a position to piece collectively a extra full image about their life cycle.

Steelhead, nonetheless, are elusive within the open ocean, and scientists know little about the place they spend their time earlier than they return to rivers for spawning seasons.

The pop-off tags ODFW will use will transmit “place, temperature, and depth when a tag comes shut sufficient to the floor.” The tags will save 180 days’ price of data earlier than detaching.

If profitable, this venture ought to assist us perceive extra about the place steelhead spend their time within the ocean, and doubtlessly give us new perception for serving to these failing shares.