Paul Olin
(on sabbatic 10/2009-06/2010)
University of California, Davis
One Shields Avenue,
1040 Orchard Park Dr.
Davis, CA 95616-8785
Email: pgolin@ucdavis.edu
Tel: (707) 565-2621
Fax: (707) 565-2623
Specialty: Aquaculture, marine fisheries, agriculture and natural resources issues
Dr. Paul Olin
(on sabbatic 10/2009-06/2010)
Dr. Paul Olin’s research and outreach programs include projects addressing aquaculture, recovery of endangered coho salmon in the Russian River, nonindigenous species, fisheries, watershed management, and water quality. Environmental stewardship, long-term economic development and responsible use of California’s coastal and ocean resources are at the heart of Sea Grant’s mission and guiding principles for Olin’s program.
Endangered Coho Salmon Recovery
Once numbering in the thousands, today coho salmon in the Russian River and its tributaries are on the verge of local extinction. To prevent this from happening the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), NOAA Fisheries, the Army Corp of Engineers, the Sonoma County Water Agency, Sonoma County Cooperative Extension (CE) and Sea Grant teamed up in 2001 to create the Russian River Coho Salmon Captive Broodstock Program. Under this program, juvenile coho were collected from coho streams within the Russian River watershed by DFG, and subsequently raised to maturity and spawned at Don Clausen Warm Springs Hatchery at Lake Sonoma. To restore coho salmon to historical habitat, in 2004 DFG began releasing the offspring of these captive-bred wild fish into Russian River tributaries that historically held runs of coho salmon. CE and Sea Grant scientists then document growth and survival of released fish as they spend time in the stream, migrate to the ocean, and ultimately return to their natal streams to spawn as adults.
Sea Grant and CE staff monitor fish populations in release streams and operate traps in the spring from March through June to get accurate estimates of the number of smolts swimming out to the ocean. In the winter, from December through February resistance board weir traps are operated to capture and document returning adults. The results are then used to inform future program decisions about fish releases that will increase the likelihood of salmon recovery in the Russian River. Every year since the first fish were released in 2004, this project has documented successful oversummer and overwinter survival and outmigration of juvenile coho smolts.
Adult returns from the ocean and successful spawning have been documented each year since 2006. As release numbers increase we anticipate a corresponding increase in returns, especially with the good ocean conditions for smolt survival occurring in 2009. While ocean conditions are good, one serious concern is the current drought conditions which could significantly impact freshwater survival. Data are being used to refine stocking protocols, and incorporate the release of acclimated coho smolts as part of the program. The number of fingerlings stocked in 2006, 2007 and 2008 was 42,838, 71,159 and 70,069 respectively. Outmigrating smolt numbers in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were 2,711, 7,146 and 10,914 respectively. Our goal is for these fish to return in sufficient numbers to establish self sustaining runs in this historic habitat.
To learn more about the coho recovery program and for information on identifying coho and distinguishing them from steelhead and Chinook salmon, see the CE website, http://groups.ucanr.org/RRCSCBP/.
Aquaculture
In 1993, massive episodic mortalities of Pacific oyster seed planted by shellfish growers occurred in Tomales Bay and Olin became involved in a research team to investigate possible causes. In subsequent years, it was learned that elevated temperatures played a role and growers ceased outplanting seed oysters between late spring and early fall to minimize losses. More recently, a herpes virus has been confirmed as a pathogen associated with these mortalities that occur in conjunction with elevated temperatures. At this time, to assess whether there is any heritable resistance to this virus, adult oysters that survived mortality events as juveniles have been collected from Tomales Bay and are being spawned to generate seed oysters for outplanting.
Olin provides input on development of aquaculture policy through membership on the California Aquaculture Development Committee and involvement in the legislative and rule making process. This work is intended to support sustainable aquaculture development, strengthen California’s economy, and provide healthy locally produced seafood. Californians currently import over 80% of the seafood they consume at a cost of over one billion dollars. A considerable portion of this could be locally produced in a sustainable fashion.
In collaboration with colleagues at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Olin is writing a review of North American Aquaculture from 2000 through 2010 which will be presented at a Global Conference on Aquaculture in June 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Fisheries and Water Quality
To develop a better understanding of halibut populations in the area from Bodega Bay to San Francisco Bay, Olin is cooperating in a tagging program with the California Department of Fish and Game and commercial and recreational fishermen.
Olin works with local watershed groups and agricultural landowners to improve water quality throughout the coastal region to ensure long-term water quality goals are achieved, and shellfish aquaculture continues as a viable industry. Olin's background also enables him to provide assistance to owners of small farm and irrigation ponds who require information on fish stocking, managing water quality and control of aquatic vegetation.
More about Dr. Paul Olin may be found at:
Coho Salmon Recovery in the Russian River
Russian River Tributary Restoration and Landowner
Outreach Program
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