Communicating Research to Charter Captains: King Salmon Movement and Behavior in Lake Ontario

Session: 13. - Building Relationships of Anglers and Scientists toward Sustainable Fisheries

Jesse Lepak, NY Sea Grant, [email protected]
James Watkins, Cornell University, [email protected]
Christopher Perle, Florida State College at Jacksonville, [email protected]
Lars Rudstam, Cornell University Bio Field Station, Dept. of Natural Resources, [email protected]

Abstract

King salmon support what is arguably the most important fishery in Lake Ontario.  King salmon can exceed 30 pounds and the fishery draws anglers from around the world, generating tens of millions of dollars annually that support local businesses and communities.  Because of their economic and ecological importance, understanding king salmon benefits numerous stakeholders. New York Sea Grant is supporting a project conducted by Cornell University researchers investigating king salmon activity in Lake Ontario using pop-off satellite tags.  The tags record depth, temperature, light conditions, and acceleration every second to reconstruct individual movement and behavior.  Characterizing king salmon movement and behavior is valuable information that can be used by scientists, biologists, and anglers to help understand how fish behave and why, to manage fisheries, and to find and catch king salmon more efficiently.  Importantly, the data collected during this project is only useful for anglers if it is communicated appropriately.  In this presentation the partnership and outreach plan associated with this project is described, and feedback from anglers is also discussed.  Despite having limited results from year one of the project, multiple positive interactions with anglers and other stakeholders have been made possible by using a multi-faceted extension approach.

1. Keyword
public education

2. Keyword
public participation

3. Keyword
salmon

4. Additional Keyword
communication

5. Additional Keyword
outreach

6. Additional Keyword
extension