USGS Signs Pacific Lamprey Conservation Agreement
The USGS has been participating in the Pacific Lamprey Conservation Initiative (PLCI) since 2008. This fall, the USGS took the next step and formalized our engagement in this collaboration by signing the PLCI’s Conservation Agreement.
Pacific Lamprey are ancient, boneless, jawless fish that play vital roles in freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems. Native American tribes have, for many generations, relied on lamprey as a food source as well as for medicinal and ceremonial uses.
Pacific lamprey populations have declined dramatically over recent decades due to many of the same threats faced by Pacific salmon, including habitat degradation and other impacts from human activities. In 2008, the Pacific Lamprey Conservation Initiative (PLCI) was initiated. The PLCI’s mission is to achieve long-term persistence of Pacific Lamprey and their habitats, and to support their traditional tribal use throughout their historical range spanning the West Coast of North America. Over 25 Native American tribes, federal, state, municipal and local agencies, and non-governmental organizations collaborate in this initiative.
Scientists from the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecology Center, Oregon Water Science Center and others have been engaged in research to protect and restore lamprey since (year). Research highlights include an evaluation of the responses of larval lamprey to dewatering; examining the impacts of screened diversions on lamprey entrainment, injury, and mortality; and assessing water quality threats to Pacific lamprey in several life stages and habitats.
The USGS has been participating in the PLCI since 2008. This fall, the USGS took the next step and formalized our engagement in this collaboration by signing the PLCI’s Conservation Agreement. The Conservation Agreement is a voluntary commitment by signing members to work collaboratively to support the goals of the PLCI. A ceremonial signing will take place on December 13th at PLCI’s fifth ‘Lamprey Summit’ in Portland, Oregon.
Our signing of the PLCI’s Conservation Agreement demonstrates our increased commitment to science to support the recovery of native lampreys and to coordinate strongly with the tribes who prize them.
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