Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentata) Research and Restoration Project: Translocation Success in the Umatilla River, Oregon

Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentata) are a cultural and traditional resource for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), sustainable harvest of this species remains a treaty right for the tribes although most populations are in decline world-wide. CTUIR initiated a research and restoration project in 1994 to investigate reasons for local decline, and to gain knowledge surrounding the complex life history, biology, and ecological importance and function of this cryptic species. Through translocation of adult Pacific Lamprey into the Umatilla River since 2000, our work has provided the means to not only re-introduce the Pacific Lamprey back into streams that once supported a large population, but has also allowed new and cutting edge research to occur.  Through our efforts and implementing research, monitoring and evaluation components we have been able to not only learn about the success of translocation as a supplementation strategy but provide our results for other Columbia River basin application.  Our focus has primarily been on understanding adult and juvenile migration patterns and threats, spawning success, preferred juvenile rearing locations and habitat type use, implementing adult passage fixes, and development of ammocoete tagging techniques.