Wednesday November 13, 2024
Public Radio for the Kenai Peninsula —
Last month, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wrapped up fieldwork for phase one of a project that tags coho salmon and traces their movement via radio signals. Scientists want to better understand their spatial distribution, including where they’re swimming, how they’re getting there and where they’re spawning.
Ken Gates is a senior fish biologist with U.S. Fish and Wildlife. He says the method of tracking, known as radio telemetry, is a common practice among biologists.
“Knowing where fish are through this technology can help us prioritize where we spend our money,” he said.
Gates says the project informs scientists on how the Kenai River’s fishery is being used and what enhancement efforts, like fish passage culverts, are needed in the future.