Images

The Pacific sand lance is an important forage fish found in Puget Sound.  They employ a unique strategy of burrowing into sand to rest and conserve energy, and to avoid predation.  The USGS is currently studying forage fish spawning, and how human development may be affecting their habitat.

This image is from Steve Waste's last day at the Columbia River Research Laboratory. Steve served as the Director of the Columbia River Research Laboratory, a facility of the Western Fisheries Research Center of USGS, from 2008 to 2024. He retired in 2024 and now continues to support WFRC as a Scientist Emeritus. Steve holds a Ph.D.

This is an image of Kenneth Tiffan out in the field. Ken works to conduct applied research to provide information that would increase our understanding of Snake River fall Chinook salmon, listed as “threatened” under the ESA in 1992. His career has focused on this unique stock and facilitating recovery efforts. 

USGS Western Fisheries Research Center scientists are investigating the relationship between ALAN, predators’ hunting ability, and juvenile salmon survival in Lake Washington. This includes using a new instrument that overcomes significant issues experienced when attempting to measure light at night underwater.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) can be a threat to aquatic ecosystems.  Light in the sky penetrates through the water and brightens the water column. Even small increases in light at night can dramatically improve some predators’ ability to hunt and kill their prey.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) can be a threat to aquatic ecosystems.  Light in the sky penetrates through the water and brightens the water column. Even small increases in light at night can dramatically improve some predators’ ability to hunt and kill their prey.

Artificial light at night (ALAN) can be a threat to aquatic ecosystems.  Light in the sky penetrates through the water and brightens the water column. Even small increases in light at night can dramatically improve some predators’ ability to hunt and kill their prey.

This is Gael Kurath at her retirement party. Viruses and infectious diseases are natural components of every ecosystem. In aquatic ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is a significant viral pathogen of many salmonid fish populations.

Photos shared by Dave Beauchamp from the first week of quantitative light measurements for the Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) project:

This week was a big data collection push, with 2 boats out nightly Tuesday through Thursday, plus day activities and prep. 

Photo shared by Dave Beauchamp from the first week of quantitative light measurements for the Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) project. This week was a big data collection push, with 2 boats out nightly Tuesday through Thursday, plus day activities and prep. 

Fish health monitoring efforts in Upper Klamath Lake have revealed a high prevalence of warmwater pathogens. The fish health team is investigating parasites as a potential threat to the vulnerable sucker populations.

Snails collected from Upper Klamath Lake are being used in experiments in the Western Fisheries Research Center’s Seattle Laboratory to study the impacts of eye flukes on the health of endangered suckers.

Sophie Hall, a research technician with the Western Fisheries Research Center, setting up parasite shedding experiments with snails collected from the Upper Klamath Lake, OR.

Explore the underwater world of Skagit Bay eelgrass meadows where a diverse group of fish are visible, including the elegant Pacific Herring school , the unusual Snake Prickleback, the striking Pacific Spiny Dogfish, the graceful Shiner Perch, and the majestic juvenile Chinook Salmon.

Director Applegate visited Western Fisheries Research Center Headquarters in Seattle, WA.

Director Applegate visited Western Fisheries Research Center Headquarters in Seattle, WA.

Director Applegate visited Western Fisheries Research Center Headquarters in Seattle, WA.

Director Applegate and staff from Western Fisheries Research Center pose in front of the newly painted mural at the Western Fisheries Research Center’s headquarters. The mural features three swimming salmon, a DNA helix, a microscope, and the USGS logo. 

Technicians deployed Detroit Lake's new water-quality monitoring station in April, 2024.

Director Applegate and staff from Western Fisheries Research Center pose in front of the newly painted mural at the Western Fisheries Research Center’s headquarters. The mural features three swimming salmon, a DNA helix, a microscope, and the USGS logo. (Photo credit: Rachel Reagan, Western Fisheries Research Center)

Cover image for fish screen video filmed at the Columbia River Research Laboratory.