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. Contact the subgroup lead – Ann Gray (USFWS) for more information.

 Tagging

Explores and investigates issues related to tagging lampreys at all life stages. Contact the subgroup lead – Bob Mueller (PNNL) for more information.

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). Contact the subgroup lead – Laurie Porter (CRITFC) for more information. 

 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. Contact the subgroup lead – Joe Skalicky (USFWS) for more information.

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. 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. Contact the subgroup co-leads – Trent Sutton (UAF) and Katie Drew (BLM) for more information. 

 Restoration

Develops guidance and shares information across parties and regions to consider and integrate lampreys into restoration. Contact the subgroup lead – Christina Wang (USFWS) for more information. 

Abundance Based Goals

Explores what is needed to establish abundance based goals to reach a healthy and harvestable status of Pacific Lamprey. Contact the subgroup lead – Laurie Porter (CRITFC) for more information.

Outreach

Goal of enhancing awareness of Pacific Lamprey and PLCI through outreach and education. Contact subgroup lead – Alicia Marrs (PLCI) for more information.

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. Contact the subgroup lead – Christina Wang (USFWS) for more information.

Contaminants

Develops guidance and shares information across parties and regions to improve understanding of contaminants on lampreys. Contact the subgroup lead – Elena Nilsen (USGS) for more information.

Lamprey Aquaculture Network

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. Contact the subgroup co-leads – Ralph Lampman (YNF) and John Hume (MSU) for more information.

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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