Lamprey Specific Electrofishing Techniques: Impacts to target and non-target species
Larval lamprey are sampled and collected primarily using lamprey-specific electrofishing (LSEF) gear or settings.. Standard electrofishing (SEF) has been a common survey technique since the 1950s and involves a complex combination of physics, physiology, and behavior. LSEF is newer, equally complex, and less studied. Developed specifically to collect larvae burrowed in sediment, LSEF typically uses a 2-phased approach: the first phase (tickle) draws larvae from the substrate and the second phase (stun) immobilizes them facilitate netting. The scientific literature on SEF suggests that few fish are likely to be killed but high proportions may be injured or have altered behavior or growth. Few studies have evaluated impacts of LSEF on lamprey or non-target species (especially ESA-listed species) that may be exposed during larval lamprey surveys. Recent lamprey restoration efforts have increased LSEF use, but scientifically derived guidance to inform permitting decisions and field applications is lacking. The project objectives are 1) to evaluate effects of LSEF settings on the injury and survival of larval lamprey and juvenile salmon under controlled laboratory conditions  and 2) to provide direction in the Best Management Guidelines for Inwater Work on effective collection approaches that limit negative impacts to target and non-target species.

Lethal Air Temperatures for Dewatered Lamprey
Dewatering events occur routinely throughout the range of Pacific Lamprey and each event may kill many thousands of larvae . Such events can have devasting impacts to populations because larvae can be densely concentrated, with multiple species and age classes in the same area. The Best Management Guidelines for lampreys during in-water work recommends actions to limit negative impacts to lamprey. The goal of this project is to relate air temperature and mortality of dewatered larval lamprey to improve the guidance in the BMGs, specifically, adding guidance on the maximum recommended air temperature under which dewatering can safely be conducted. Solar radiation (UV) deserves consideration along with air temperature as both likely contribute to larval mortality due to desiccation. The project will test full exposure to sunlight (unshaded) and diffuse (shaded) exposure at each test air temperature to understand the role of UV exposure and provide BMG guidance that can be tailored to a range of real-world dewatering locations. In the future, dewatering events will continue because in-water work is an ongoing need and climate change my increase lethal effects. The best approach to protect lamprey is scientifically defensible information to guide dewatering procedures that can be applied throughout the species’ range.