It is reported that Washington fishery biologists have started testing commercial gear that has not been used in the Columbia River in 50 years. They are looking for alternatives to gillnetting. It is explained that the initial testing will set on with modified beach seines, modified purse seines and a Merwin trap.
Pat Frazier, regional fish program manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, said that the testing of different types of commercial gear is scheduled for late August and early September to target on tule fall chinook and coho, plus in October for coho. Frazier also told that test sites likely will be downstream from Longview, although locations farther upstream eventually will be part of the research.
It is informed that Washington has approved $200,000 from the Pacific Coast Salmon Restoration Fund for the testing. Oregon might be able to contribute another $100,000 to $200,000. Frazier opined that the states want to increase the harvest of hatchery salmon so they aren’t competing with wild salmon on the spawning grounds.
It is observed that there are plenty of theories about how seines, traps and fish wheels will work in the Columbia. He told that a Merwin trap often is used in fishery research. It has pontoons like a catamaran and wings that funnel the fish into a rectangular box of net, from which they can not escape. Frazier said he is doubtful a Merwin trap will work for commercial fisheries, but could serve as a control method to test handling mortality.
