Juvenile Salmon

Fish Seining

juvenile salmon photo of removing fish from net

In partnership with WRIA 6 Lead Entity and the Island County Marine Resources Committee, we are participating in a multiyear study to learn how juvenile salmon use the pocket estuaries and adjacent shoreline areas of Whidbey and Camano islands.

juvenile salmon photo of staghorn sculpin
juvenile salmon photo of juvenile chum salmon

This research is performed by a specialized team of volunteers trained by scientists of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Volunteers use nets deployed from shore to seine juvenile salmon and other fish while also gathering data on water conditions. The team counts, identifies and measures each fish before releasing it back to the marine environment. They carry out this research in pocket estuaries and nearby shoreline areas of Island County in close collaboration with NOAA and the Skagit River Systems Cooperative (SRSC).

juvenile salmon photo of measuring fish

The all-volunteer team has performed with such dedication and professionalism that in 2008, NOAA named two of its members, Jim Somers and Bob Buck, as NOAA Environmental Heroes.

2009-2016 Cornet Bay Report