Little is known about the basic biology and ecology of lampreys. To address this deficiency, National Marine Fisheries Service biologists analyzed data from two fish assemblage studies that span three decades (1980–1981 and 2001–2012) to provide the first analysis of anadromous western river (Lampetra ayresii) and Pacific (Entosphenus tridentatus) lampreys in the Columbia River estuary: Seasonal abundance, size, and host selection of western river (Lampetra ayresii) and Pacific (Entosphenus tridentatus) lampreys in the Columbia River estuary.
This basic information on western river and Pacific lampreys in the Columbia River estuary adds to the growing body of regional research that should aid conservation efforts for these ancient species. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has developed a Coastal, Columbia, and Snake Conservation Plan for Lampreys in Oregon that will help guide cooperative efforts to conserve these species.