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Comprehensive Assessment & Monitoring Program (CAMP)
Glossary of CAMP Terminology
Aerial redd survey
A monitoring method that uses an airplane or helicopter to count the number of redds in a river. Redds are gravel spawning nests. The aerial redd counts are then used to estimate the number of adult salmon that spawn in that river.
Anadromous
Anadromous (uh-nad-ru-mus) fish species are ones that spend most of their lives in the ocean but reproduce in fresh water. See the definition of anadromous fish under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act.
Anadromous Fish Restoration Program (AFRP)
The program is administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Its goal is to at least double natural, sustainable production of anadromous fish in California's Central Valley on a long-term basis. More about AFRP.
Angler Survey
Also known as a creel census, an angler survey is a monitoring method used to estimate the number of fish harvested by sports anglers.
Carcass Survey
A monitoring method used to estimate the number of adult salmon that spawn in a river. With this technique, recently dead salmon carcasses are collected, colored tags are attached to the carcasses. The tagged carcasses are returned to the river. The ratio of tagged to untagged carcasses which are observed during subsequent surveys is used to develop a fish abundance estimate.
Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA)
See an overview of the CVPIA. Read the full text of the CVPIA (PDF).
Fish Screen
One of four CVPIA tools that can be used to promote increases in the natural production of anadromous fish.
A fish screen prevents fish from entering a water diversion structure and reduces the number of fish killed or injured.
Fyke Trap
A trap that consists of a mesh net with a live box that is attached to one end. In smaller streams, a fyke net can be fitted with wing nets that effectively cover all or most of the stream width.
Gill Net
Mesh nets that are used to collect fish. When fish attempt to pass through a gill net, their gills become entangled in the net.
Habitat Restoration
One of four Central Valley Project Improvement Act tools that can be used to promote increases in the natural production of anadromous fish.
Habitat Restoration activities are designed to increase the production of anadromous fish by improving their natural habitat. For example, adding gravel to a stream or river increases the amount of substrate that Chinook salmon could use for spawning.
Hatchery Returns
A monitoring method that counts the number of natural and hatchery-produced adult fish entering a fish hatchery.
The number of naturally produced fish that enter hatcheries is added to the estimated number of fish that naturally spawn in a river to estimate the total in-river run for a particular watershed. More about hatchery returns
Ladder Count
A monitoring method used to estimate in-river spawner abundance. Adult salmon are counted when they pass a fish ladder as they return upstream to spawn. Learn more about fish ladders.
Mark-Recapture
Fish are tagged and released. If they are caught again, researchers can learn
about fish movement, migration, mortality and growth. The tags also help researchers estimate population size.
Learn more about
CAMP use of mark-recapture.
Midwater Trawl Survey
A monitoring method that uses a small boat to tow a net, which captures fish in the upper 6 feet of the water column behind the boat.
Ocean Harvest Survey
A monitoring method used by the California Department of Fish & Game, and adapted by CAMP to estimate the number of adult fish harvested in the ocean by sport and commercial fishing.
Redd
A gravel spawning nest in a river bed where eggs and sperm are deposited. Young salmon fry stay in the redd, living on stored nutrients, until they are old enough to find their own food.
Rotary Screw Trap
An in-river fish sampling tool for sampling juvenile fish that are swimming downstream. Learn more about screw traps.
Snorkel Survey
A monitoring method when divers with snorkels estimate in-river spawner abundance. Divers visually survey adult salmon (normally spring-run Chinook) prior to spawning. This underwater survey method provides an index of fish abundance, not an absolute count.
Structural Modifications
One of four Central Valley Project Improvement Act tools that can be used to promote increases in the natural production of anadromous fish.
Structural modifications remove things that impair fish movement.
More on structural modifications.
Trammel Net
A trammel net is a variation on the gill net (see above). It consists of three layers of net. A slack, small mesh, inner panel of netting is sandwiched between two outer layers of netting, which are taught and have a larger mesh size. It entangles fish in bags or pockets of netting. More on trammel nets.
Water Management Modifications
One of four Central Valley Project Improvement Act tools that can be used to promote increases in the natural production of anadromous fish.
Water management modifications change the amount, timing or location of water.
Their aim is to make a more favorable aquatic environment for anadromous fish.
More on water management modifications.
Anglers
Fyke Trap
Gill Net
Hatchery fin-clipping
Rotary Screw Traps
Sturgeon in Trammel Net
Trawling
Last updated: May 9, 2008
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Credits: Anglers, Screw Traps - Harry Mossman, FWS; Fyke Trap, Gill Net, Trammel Net - CA Dept. of Fish & Game; Clipping, Trawling - USFWS.
