Quillayute Spit / Rialto Beach surf smelt egg and spawning habitat monitoring: progress report: 1997-1998
Wullschleger J. 1999. Quillayute Spit / Rialto Beach surf smelt egg and spawning habitat monitoring: progress report: 1997-1998. Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, WA
State and Federal resource management agencies raised concerns regarding the effects of armoring Quillayute Spit on the dynamic processes of sediment deposition and erosion on the spit and along the coast to the north. Rialto Beach, which is within Olympic National Park (ONP), adjacent and immediately to the north of the Spit, appears to have been receding for a number of years. It is the northernmost site in the Park used by surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) for spawning and egg incubation. Surf smelt are an important component of the marine ecosystem, providing forage for other fish, birds and marine mammals. On Rialto Beach, surf smelt also support a small-scale recreational fishery. ... Monitoring was begun in May 1996 and is scheduled to continue through September of the year 2000. This progress report includes results of monitoring conducted between May 1997 and September 1998. The results and any conclusions drawn from them remain preliminary until the study is completed and a final report submitted.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Wullschleger, John
- Date of Issue
- 1999-08
- Units
- OLYM
- Keywords
- Coastal, egg density, Monitoring, Spawning Habitat, surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus)