Location: Marine Areas of Washington State and British Columbia, and potentially southeast Alaska and Oregon.
Description: This project is the response to the salmon spill which occurred on August 21st from Cooke Aquaculture fish farm at Cypress Island, near Anacortes, Washington. It is an effort to track the impacts of the spill by mapping locations where Atlantic Salmon are harvested as well as any observations by LEO Network members.
Background: Thousands of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) were accidentally released on the 20th of August, 2017 from Cooke Aquaculture fish farm between Cypress Island and Anacortes, Washington, and Washington State officials are asking for the public's help in catching them. The purpose of the present project is to record observations and catches of these escaped Atlantic Salmon, or other escaped Atlantic Salmon.
Observing Protocols: Observers are asked to share information (date, location, habitat, life stage, catch method, weight in lbs or kg, condition, number, and other description and comments) and photos on sighting of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in Washington State, British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, and Oregon.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada operates an Atlantic Salmon Watch Program: "The purpose of the program is to study the abundance, distribution and biology of Atlantic salmon in British Columbia and its adjacent waters. The ASWP monitors reports from commercial and sport catches and observations of Atlantic salmon throughout British Columbia. The program relies on recreational and commercial fishers, fish processors, government and independent field staff and hatchery workers to report observations of Atlantic salmon."
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is asking residents to report Atlantic salmon harvests from Alaskan waters. In addition to posting on LEO, please visit the Alaska Invasive Species Reporter or call the Invasive Species Hotline: 1-877-INVASIV (1-877-468-2748).
Inputs: LEO Network Observations, Other data sources of Atlantic Salmon spotting.
Outputs: LEO Network observations will be added to the project map. LEO observations also available to the Atlantic Salmon Watch Program.
Project Updates: The August and September 2017 LEO BC Webinars will include an update on this project.
Resources:
Atlantic Salmon Catch Map, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
News Release, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife -- "OLYMPIA – State salmon managers are encouraging anglers to fish for thousands of Atlantic salmon that escaped recently from a salmon farm near the San Juan Islands."
News Release, Lummi Nation -- Lummi declares state of emergency to address Atlantic salmon spill in treaty fishing waters
Atlantic Salmon Watch Program, Fisheries and Oceans Canada -- The purpose of the Atlantic Salmon Watch Program (ASWP) is to study the abundance, distribution and biology of Atlantic salmon in British Columbia and its adjacent waters.
Atlantic Salmon Identification Guide, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
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Lead Organization
Lummi Nation Natural Resources |
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Lead Organization
Northwest Indian College (NWIC) |
Tammy Davis ConsultantJuneau Alaska, United States
Invasive Species Program Coordinator invasive species
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
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Tom Okey EditorVictoria, British Columbia, Canada
Adjunct Associate Professor School of Environmental Studies
University of Victoria
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Moses Tcheripanoff EditorWasilla, Alaska, United States
(Co-Founder) Geographer / Editor
Local Environmental Observer Network (LEO)
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Please go fishing, Washington state says after farmed Atlantic salmon escape broken netCypress Island, Washington, United States
Aug 22, 2017
The Seattle Times
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Thousands of Atlantic salmon escape fish farm near Victoria after nets damagedCypress Island, Washington, United States
Aug 22, 2017
CBC News
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Atlantic salmon escape U.S. fish farm near B.C. watersCypress Island, Washington, United States
Aug 24, 2017
The Globe and Mail
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Spill of farmed Atlantic salmon near San Juan Islands much bigger than first estimatesCypress Island, Washington, United States
Aug 24, 2017
The Seattle Times
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U.S. First Nation declares state of emergency after Atlantic salmon spill near VictoriaCypress Island, Washington, United States
Aug 24, 2017
CBC News
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More escaped Atlantic salmon show up off Washington, no reports from B.C. watersPoint Williams, Washington, United States
Aug 24, 2017
Vancouver Sun
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Here’s what that farmed fish escape in Washington could mean for AlaskaAnacortes, Washington, United States
Aug 28, 2017
Alaska Dispatch News
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Lummi Nation fishermen catch an estimated 20,000 Atlantic salmon following fish farm collapseCypress Island, Washington, United States
Aug 29, 2017
CBC News
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Up to 305,000 invasive adult Atlantic salmon escape fish farm in San Juan IslandsAnacortes, Washington, United States
Aug 22, 2017
Daily Hive
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'Environmental Nightmare' After Thousands Of Atlantic Salmon Escape Fish FarmDeepwater Bay, Washington, United States
Aug 24, 2017
NPR.org
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What British Columbians can do in the aftermath of the Atlantic salmon farm spillAnacortes, Washington, United States
Aug 22, 2017
Daily Hive
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Atlantic salmon arrive in French Creek -- Not in a good way!French Creek, British Columbia, Canada
Sep 10, 2017
Fisherynation.com
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