Management decisions rely on evaluating fish populations, estimating fish population sizes, surveying fish and wildlife users, and evaluating hatchery releases to understand the contribution of…

This $226,191 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Sport Fish Restoration (CFDA 15.605) program provides funding to the State of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to support comprehensive sport fisheries management and conservation efforts in Oregon.

The key products and services to be delivered through this grant include: 1) consultation with a quantitative fisheries scientist to ensure appropriate statistical designs and analyses are used for data collection on fish populations, fish user surveys, and hatchery contributions, enabling scientifically credible information to inform management decisions; and 2) producing and disseminating this scientifically rigorous data to ODFW staff and managers to support effective decision-making for managing and enhancing Oregon's sport fishing opportunities. The grant award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025.

Management decisions rely on evaluating fish populations, estimating fish population sizes, surveying fish and wildlife users, and evaluating hatchery releases to understand the contribution of these fish to enhance fishing opportunity and access. Information regarding each of these activities relies on data collected in a statistically meaningful way to produce scientifically credible information. In order to ensure that appropriate statistical designs and analyses are consistently used in all fish districts, consultation with a quantitative fisheries scientist is necessary. A trained quantitative fisheries scientist can also ensure that data collected is compatible with other projects occurring across regional and district boundaries, so that IT is comparable and can help to formulate a statewide perspective on certain fisheries. This project provides a quantitative fisheries scientist that can be accessed by all field and staff biologists for consultation to review and ensure data is collected correctly, and can be used in sophisticated analyses that wouldnt otherwise be possible. By producing scientifically credible information, the quantitative fisheries scientist can reliable provide information to managers that accurately reflects the current status of oregons sport fish resources. This helps to inform decisions to manage and enhance oregons angling opportunities. Research conducted by the program may also guide managers while creating new fishing opportunities, contributing to ongoing R3 efforts.