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Research

Our research and monitoring covers a 120-mile (193.1 km) stretch of the far Northern California coast and includes investigations into 10+ Tribally-selected priority species and a comprehensive study of local fish communities using eDNA. Research across the study area is carried out by four Tribal partners (the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation, the Pulikla Tribe of Yurok People (formerly Resighini Rancheria), Trinidad Rancheria, and Blue Lake Rancheria) and by Cal Poly Humboldt.

Map of the North Coast Tribal Fisheries Collaborative Partners and a Map of all sample sites organized by what species each partner samples for the species are red abalone, Razor clams, surfperch, Musscles, smelt, kelp, urchins, juvenile rockfish, green sturgeon, chinook salmon, and eDNA.

Graduate Research

Five graduate projects supplement the research by investigating specific questions affecting priority species.

Chinook Salmon

Sample collection began in April 2024 at eight sites within the Eel River estuary. This study will utilize beach seining and size-spectrum analysis to investigate factors affecting the spatial and temporal distribution of juveniles and infer nursery habitat function.

Surf Smelt

A-frame monitoring of surf smelt began in May 2024 at four sites from Centerville Beach to Gold Bluffs Beach with the goal of investigating biological parameters of the population and identifying factors that may affect timing of spawning, with an in-depth look at wave height changes over the past quarter-century.

eDNA Investigation of Marine and Estuarine Fish Communities

Sample collection began in April 2024 at 13 sites (5 marine-estuarine pairs and 2 additional sites) covering 168 km of coastline and will be analyzed using high-throughput DNA sequencing technology, the miFish primer, and a customized reference database.

Green Sturgeon

Protocols and methodology are being developed for a project to characterize the seasonal presence, habitat use & movement patterns of green sturgeon within Humboldt Bay and the Mad River (Baduwa't) using a combination of acoustic telemetry, pop-up satellite archival tags, and visual transect surveys.

Rocky Reef Community of Trinidad Harbor

Protocols were developed and to initiate long-term monitoring of the rocky reef community in Trinidad Harbor. Survey transects began in May 2024; focal species include bull kelp, red abalone, purple urchin, and rockfish. This study will also include an investigation of effects of Desmarestia algae on purple urchin numbers and kelp recruitment.

Redtail Surfperch

Hook-and-line sampling began in July 2024 at Centerville Beach to estimate the abundance of redtail surfperch. Data was collected once a month starting an hour before high tide to the hour after. Redtails were counted, measured, weighed, sexed, and then released back into the ocean.