Citizen Scientists Needed for Forage Fish Surveys in the San Juans!

Friends of the San Juans is seeking citizen scientists to help conduct beach surveys for spawning forage fish over the next two years. There will be a survey training session on October 26 from 9 am – 1 pm with researchers from Friends and Salish Sea Biological at the Old Town of Friday Harbor Fire Station (260 West Street).

Forage fish play a key role in marine food webs, supporting salmon, seabirds and marine mammals. However, additional information is needed on spawning habitats to improve the success of local salmon recovery efforts. We look forward to working with community volunteers to conduct this important survey work.

The training will begin inside and move to Jackson Beach for the field portion of the training. Transportation will be provided to and from Friday Harbor. Pre-registration is required. Click here to register or contact Tina Whitman at [email protected] or 360-378-2319.

This free training workshop is hosted by Friends of the San Juans and the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee. Funding is provided by the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

We hope to see you there!

The Friends of the San Juans do such a wonderful job of keeping on top of things like the transit of freighters through the Straits and their impact on whales as well as protecting our environment. Jim and I fell in love with the islands, the wildlife, and fishing. We hope to preserve it, not only for our family but for other families, well into the future.

Glen and Deb Bruels

members, San Juan Island