Forage fish next part of Liberty Bay study

Published 5:00 pm Saturday, December 2, 2006

POULSBO — Scientists are turning their focus to a nondescript group of fish as the United States Geological Service moves ahead with its long-term study of Liberty Bay.

Beginning Dec. 10, USGS crews will access beaches between Poulsbo’s Oyster Plant Park and Point Bolin to get a clear idea of the existing forage fish habitats in both developed and relatively undeveloped areas.

USGS crews have been taking water samples and other scientific measurements in the bay before entering another phase of the long-term study.

“We’re only after the surface sample of the top inch,” said USGS project manager Teresa Liedtke.

That top inch of rock, sand and gravel will be key in examining the forage fish environment, Liedtke said.

“They’re a good indicator species and are an important part of the food chain mix,” she said.

Forage fish, such as northern anchovies, smelt and Pacific herring, serve as food sources for not only salmon, but sea birds as well, she said.

Liberty Bay was selected for the USGS study, because it has a combination of both urban and rural area beaches, which typically decreases the number of variables impacting the study’s results, she said.

However, in order to collect the necessary data, Liedtke said the USGS is relying on cooperation from private landowners for access to their beaches.

“We’re going to be approaching from the water in boats, so we won’t be walking across private property,” she said.

The USGS has randomly selected 30-40 beaches along its chosen stretch of shoreline in order to maintain the study’s scientific integrity, she said.

“We’ll be out early in the morning and in the evening, so people shouldn’t be alarmed if they see a light on beach,” she said.

Another important aspect of the study is that it is purely scientific in nature and its sole purpose is to understand why things are the way they are in Liberty Bay, she said.

“We are a research agency, and we don’t have any management responsibility,” Liedtke said.

However, the information being collected during the study could play an important role in protecting the environment for all in the future, said Suquamish Tribe salmon recovery coordinator Paul Dorn.

“This study goes beyond the normal parameters and the tribe is happy to be involved,” Dorn said.

In addition to studying forage fish, researchers are also testing water samples for antibiotics and flame retardant chemicals, which can enter the bay through various types of runoff, he said.

So far, none of those results have crossed redline thresholds, which is an encouraging sign, he said.

“This will help us make decisions as local government to protect resources that are important to all of us,” Dorn said.

For the Liberty Bay Foundation, the USGS study is a feather in its cap, said foundation volunteer coordinator Luis Barrantes.

The study is adding to the information collected by the foundation during its nearshore habitat enhancement project, which assessed the condition of Liberty Bay in 2004 and 2005, Barrantes said.

“We’re doing what we can to help,” Barrantes said. “There are no politics in this; it’s on the ground science.”