The Wild Fish Conservancy is seeking interns to assist in an assessment of habitat use by the fish community (particularly juvenile salmon) in the tidally-influenced areas of the Chehalis River estuary (Grays Harbor) and tributaries. The sampling effort will use fyke trapping and beach seining to capture, identify, measure, and release juvenile fish from March to September, 2011. Habitat assessments will also be made to identify areas for future habitat restoration projects to aid in salmon recovery in the Chehalis Basin. Volunteers need to be in good physical condition (adequate for hauling seine nets and traveling across mud flats), be comfortable working from small boats, and be willing to work in adverse weather conditions. The effort will provide experience in field techniques, fish identification, data collection and habitat assessment. Free group lodging will be provided in Westport, but at present there is no funding for salaries or stipends. Interns do not need to commit to the entire study period, but during summer, preference will be given to those who can commit for longer time periods (weeks/months).

If interested, please contact Todd Sandell (todd@wildfishconservancy.org) and provide a contact phone number.

Secondary contact: James Fletcher (james@wildfishconservancy.org)
For information on the WFC: www.wildfishconservancy.org