DESCRIPTION
The Island County MRC worked with Dan Pentilla to establish a Forage Fish monitoring program in Island County around 2010. Monitoring locations are selected based on long term monitoring sites (Ala Spit and Cornet Bay) and on restoration efforts. In 2020, locations include Hidden Beach, Seahorse Siesta and Glendale. All data is gathered by WDFW-trained volunteers, analyzed by regional experts and submitted to WDFW.
Countywide survey of forage fish beaches for surf smelt and sand lance spawn. Dan Matlock, MRC, will work with Dan Pentilla to develop a monitoring project including site selection and protocol development. The purpose of this study is to identify where there are gaps in the data that need to be filled, identify sites appropriate for long term status and trends monitoring and to identify protocols when surveying as part of project effectiveness monitoring (timing, duration and repetition requirements).