NRTG’s MicroCourses offer a dynamic training pathway that’s as flexible as it is enriching to build expertise. Our Catching Salmon Smolts — Effective use of Rotary Screw Traps in Rivers course, spanning four hours, delivers in-depth training in an easily digestible format. It’s designed to maximize your skills for immediate application.
Rotary screw traps (AKA ‘smolt wheels’) are a commonly used and valuable fish collection method for species and life stages not readily captured using other methods. Indeed, this is the standard form of fish capture for small (<20 cm) migratory fishes in moving water, particularly for salmonid smolts but also non-salmonids. Effectiveness of these wheels, however, depends very much on selection of site and operation of the method through the deployment period. While being the ‘gold standard’ sampling method for migratory species, rotary screw traps require a significant investment in time, money, and logistics; therefore in using this capture method project managers want to ensure that they are collecting the highest quality and maximal data that they can. This microcourse is designed to assist those responsible for capturing small migratory fishes with meeting that goal.
This MicroCourse will review rotary screw traps: what they are; how to use safely; information that can be collected using them; and will then discuss various issues, limitations, and constraints associated with using these. Students will then be able to balance the advantages (high quality data) with the challenges of a successful smolt wheel program.
This MicroCourse is intended for field staff responsible for deploying and monitoring wheels and also for project managers that are looking for other fish collection tools to be able to improve the quality of work they offer their clients.
Course will be 4 hours long.
Instructor Profile
Kris Hunter
Kris Hunter is a salmon biologist and ecologist with over 20 years of practical experience having trained in salmon physiology and ecology at St. Francis Xavier University, the University of Waterloo, and the University of British Columbia. Over the past 20 years he has been involved with numerous research projects and led conservation and many aquatic restoration efforts. Current he works for the Atlantic Salmon Federation as the Regional Director of the Wild Salmon Watersheds program and the Prince Edward Islands Director of Programs, where he helps organizations improve their management and conservation of aquatic ecosystems and salmonid populations. Kris has worked on rotary screw trap-based projects in the US, in BC, and on the East coast of Canada to aid in fish collection, tracking work, and smolt population assessment. For several years, while working for DFO he led rotary screw trap projects to aid in collection of Atlantic Salmon smolts for a genetic comparison and for population assessment purposes. Kris is currently leading 2 new rotary screw trap projects. One in NL and NB, where as part of the Wild Salmon Watersheds program, he is training local organizations on the technique. and training local leaders. Kris also spent over 12 years working as an instructor at the University level during which time he was involved in curriculum development and in developing several education and outreach initiatives.
