FMOR
Projects
FOMR issues $2,000 Research Award for fish study at McNeil Falls
Project Title:
Brown bear foraging as a barrier to the upstream migration of chum salmon at McNeil Falls
Research Personnel:
Ian Gill, Graduate Student, WWU; Larry Aumiller, Field Technician
Project Summary:
ADF&G biologists are concerned that a unique combination of ecological factors could be creating a barrier to the upstream migration of chum salmon in McNeil River. Since access to the high-quality spawning habitat upstream of McNeil Falls is likely necessary to return chum production to levels of previous abundance, such a barrier could have a major impact on both bears and salmon that use the area. This research will make a significant contribution to the future management of McNeil River by providing an accurate estimate of the total number of chum salmon harvested by brown bears at McNeil Falls, and by describing how that harvest varies in time. Research will begin this summer, 2009, in the field at McNeil River. This award was given to help cover the expenses necessary to conduct high-quality research in this remote site and facilitate the involvement of the invaluable expertise of Larry Aumiller, former superintendent for the McNeil River Sanctuary. FOMR will receive a written report by the end of 2009 detailing how this award was used to support this research.
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St. Augustine seen from the McNeil spit in the Cook Inlet. Salmon enter from here into the McNeil River system in their travel upstream to the falls.
McNeil River Falls as seen from downstream, prior to the arrival of the salmon and bears. This presents a definite challenge in many ways for the salmon working their way upstream to their spawning beds.
