258 



DRAFT 



presented scientific studies that document increases in competition between salmonids 

 and marine mammals. This conclusion is solely speculation. 



American S had rpages 117-119): 

 Competition for Food 



'One obvious reason the American shad population has been increasing 

 in the Columbia River system, while salmonids have been declining, is 

 the absence of an intense fishery for the American shad as exists for 

 salmonids. ' 



The increase in American shad numbers is unrelated to the fishery on them. If 

 anything, the fishery on American shad has expanded as their numbers have increased. 



'As stated previously in this chapter, the food base of the lower 

 Columbia River has changed from a macrodetritus to a microdetritus 

 source. * 



What are the references on this? 



'Even if only one percent of the eggs produced viable young that 

 migrated to the Columbia River estuary (the actual percentage is 

 > probably much higher),.. . " 



The actual percentage is probably lower. Survival of eggs to postlarvae probably a 

 small fraction of a percentage. 



I 



'Juvenile American shad are a potential competitor with the juveniles of 

 any pink. . . remaining in the system. . . ' 



As stated earlier, pink salmon are not indigenous to Oregon streams (Emmett et. al. J 



1991). The inference that competition with shad is causing a "decline" of these species 

 in Or^on is erroneous. 



A-52 



