Two-eyed seeing in practice: Participatory modeling to evaluate pinniped hunting in Puget Sound as a tool for salmon recovery

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jonathan Scordino (Makah Tribe)

CO-INVESTIGATORS: Robert Jones (Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission), Timothy Essington (University of Washington), Elizabeth Allyn (Makah Tribe)

Pinniped predation is on the rise and may be a factor in declining salmon survival. Reducing predation risk in key habitat areas and migration corridors is critical to recovery of protected salmon species in Puget Sound. But more research is needed to fill knowledge gaps about the impacts of pinniped feeding behaviors. Improved data will provide information to develop effective management plans useful to State and Tribal managers and harvesters.

Washington Sea Grant-funded researchers are using participatory modeling to evaluate pinniped feeding behaviors, including the potential benefits and risks of pinniped hunting as a tool for recovery of protected salmon species in Puget Sound. Tribal management of pinnipeds under treaty right exercise has the potential to address concerns around salmon survival while simultaneously affirming treaty rights to harvest pinnipeds. Researchers used DNA metabarcoding and prey hard parts to look at the diets of Steller sea lion and harbor seals, then completed data analyses on the diets. The project produced updated estimates of Steller sea lion consumption of prey items and age-0 Chinook salmon, especially on the northern Washington coast in winter and spring, when salmon and Southern Resident Killer Whales are both in the area and when Tribal salmon fisheries take place.