Lamprey Technical Workgroup

 

Lamprey Technical Workgroup

The Lamprey Technical Workgroup (LTWG), the technical advisory committee of the Pacific Lamprey Conservation Initiative (PLCI), is a large, diverse, active committee with members representing a variety of organizations from across PLCI’s geographic range.  The LTWG receives technical questions on topics affecting lamprey such as adult and juvenile passage, contaminants, and dredging impacts from PLCI’s various committees, and provides technical support to the Regional Management Units (RMUs), and may respond to requests for technical input and expertise from outside entities.

The LTWG also hosts the annual Lamprey Information Exchange to facilitate information sharing on key cultural and scientific topics pertaining to Pacific Lamprey amongst the ever expanding network of lamprey enthusiasts. 

There are multiple technical subgroups within the LTWG studying a range of topics important to lamprey conservation. Participation in the LTWG and its subgroups is open to all lamprey enthusiasts. Contact the LTWG Chair, Christina Wang (USFWS) to be added to the list, and learn more about each of the subgroups below.

LTWG Subgroups

Adult Passage & EngineerinG

Develops guidance and shares information across parties and regions to improve upstream adult lamprey passage. For more information, contact the subgroup lead – Ann Gray (USFWS).

 Tagging

Explores and investigates issues related to tagging lampreys at all life stages. For more information, contact the subgroup lead – Katherine Deters (PNNL).

Ocean

Works to identify the many information gaps in the ocean phase of the life history of anadromous lampreys (Western River Lamprey and Pacific Lamprey). For more information, contact the subgroup co-leads – Laurie Porter (CRITFC) and Laurie Weitkamp (NOAA Fisheries).

 JEDDI

The Juvenile Entrainment, Dredging, and Dewatering Investigations (JEDDI) subgroup develops guidance and shares information across parties and regions to inform BMGs relative to screening/entrainment, dredging, dewatering and in-water work. For more information, contact the subgroup lead – Joe Skalicky (USFWS).

Genetics & eDNA

Keeps the LTWG informed on new genetics research and developments related to lampreys, how it can inform management and monitoring strategies, and ensures current state of knowledge is accounted for in LTWG recommendations and documents. For more information, contact the subgroup lead – Kellie Carim (USFS).

SOLAR

The Subgroup on Other Lamprey Species Anadromous and Resident (SOLAR) focuses on native lampreys of the West Coast of North America, with a particular emphasis on lampreys other than Pacific Lamprey. Goals of acquiring and documenting information resources on lampreys, identifying  biological and management associations between species, filling information gaps, and prioritizing/recommending research, monitoring, and evaluation projects. For more information, contact the Lamprey Technical Workgroup Chair, Julie Harris (USFWS).

 Restoration

Develops guidance and shares information across parties and regions to consider and integrate lampreys into restoration. For more information, contact the Lamprey Technical Workgroup Chair, Julie Harris (USFWS).

Abundance Based Goals

Explores what is needed to establish abundance based goals to reach a healthy and harvestable status of Pacific Lamprey. For more information, contact the subgroup co-leads – Ralph Lampman (YNF), Tod Sween (NPT), and Laurie Porter (CRITFC).

Outreach

Goal of enhancing awareness of Pacific Lamprey and PLCI through outreach and education. For more information, contact subgroup co-leads – Nicole Shepherd (USFWS) and Sophia Troeh (USFWS).

Barriers to Tidal Connectivity

Develops guidance and shares information across parties and regions to improve understanding of and reduce barriers to tidal connectivity for lampreys. For more information, contact the Lamprey Technical Workgroup Chair, Julie Harris (USFWS).

Contaminants

Develops guidance and shares information across parties and regions to improve understanding of contaminants on lampreys. For more information, contact the subgroup co-leads – Ralph Lampman (YNF) and Cynthia LeDoux-Bloom (CA DWR).

Partnerships for the Aquaculture of Lampreys

Provide a venue to share and discuss technical information related to hatchery artificial propagation, rearing, and holding of Pacific Lamprey as well as other lamprey species. For more information, contact the subgroup co-leads – Ralph Lampman (YNF) and John Hume (MSU).

History of the LTWG

As part of a 1995 action by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC), the Columbia River Basin Pacific Lamprey Technical Workgroup (Workgroup) was established to serve and guide coordination activities for new and existing lamprey projects funded, or proposed for funding through the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). Eventually, the need for guided and coordinated lamprey research extended beyond the scope of the Workgroup. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) encouraged coordination of lamprey research through the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority (CBFWA), whose mission was to coordinate and promote effective protection and restoration of fish, wildlife, and their habitats in the Columbia River Basin. In November 2003, the Workgroup was officially established as a subcommittee under the Anadromous Fish Committee of CBFWA. The LTWG became the technical advisory committee of PLCI upon its inception in 2008 and expanded its geographical range from the Columbia River Basin to include all RMUs represented in PLCI. 

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