In the news: Pacific lamprey returns grow in the Columbia River Basin

Pacific lamprey returns to the Columbia River Basin in 2023 are higher than the 10-year average, according to a news release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Data from the Columbia River Data Access in Real Time platform, also known as DART, shows that 63,863 lampreys have passed through the Bonneville Dam as of Sept. 18. The 10-year average from 2013 to 2022 is 44,414 lampreys.

This prehistoric fish is native to the Columbia River Basin and is culturally significant to Native American tribes. Pacific lampreys spend the majority of their lives as larvae and juveniles living in Northwest streams for three to seven years before migrating out to sea. Adult lampreys have a sucker-like mouth that allows them to be parasitic while in the ocean. They attach to fish and marine mammals for feeding.  

Lamprey usually live in the ocean for one to three years before returning to fresh water to spawn. Similar to salmon, lamprey die after spawning, and their carcasses provide marine-rich nutrients to stream ecosystems.

“Lampreys are ecologically important residents of the Columbia River system and are of significant cultural relevance to the tribes,” said BPA's James Barron, fish and wildlife administrator. “We have had the opportunity to work closely with our tribal and federal partners to develop and implement novel passage structures, operations and translocation efforts. These increasing returns are a promising indicator that lamprey numbers are headed in the right direction.”

Read the news release on the USACE’s website.

Request for proposals: Fiscal year 2024 lamprey conservation
Through Oct. 27, the Pacific Lamprey Conservation Initiative and BPA are accepting FY 2024 requests for project proposals that demonstrate a direct benefit to Pacific lamprey. Proposals will be reviewed by the PLCI co-chairs, coordinator and representatives from the steering committee and conservation team. Ranked proposals will be submitted to BPA for final review and selection on Dec. 1. 

For more information, visit the PLCI funding page.