Burns Paiute Tribe Implements Innovative Solution to Brook Trout Suppression in Upper Malheur River Basin

 
Burns, OR – The Upper Malheur River basin has been struggling with a high population of nonnative Brook Trout that has hindered the recovery of ESA-listed Bull Trout. To address this issue, the Burns Paiute Tribe Natural Resources Department began Brook Trout suppression efforts in 2010. In 2011, they partnered with Cramer Fish Sciences – Genidaqs to develop an innovative environmental DNA-based technique to monitor abundance trends in both lacustrine and riverine environments.
 
Through a series of controlled trials, the Tribe has determined that eDNA technology can generally detect Brook Trout presence in a body of water. Genetic sequencing of Brook Trout has also occurred through this partnership. Yet, uncertainties due to the hydrology and physical conditions of sampling locations must be remedied for the full potential of this eDNA technology to be realized.
 
With the eDNA sampling framework now in place for monitoring species abundance using eDNA and the advancement of sampling methodology, the Burns Paiute Tribe seeks to maximize the potential of this technology. The Tribe proposed a project that consisting of using known locations and quantities of fish to determine the distance over which eDNA can be consistently detected for Brook Trout eradication efforts in the Upper Malheur River Basin.
 
The goal of the Tribe is to develop cost-effective means to monitor eradication success by creating protocol specific to stream flows for sampling to detect species presence post-removal and as a means for early detection of new invasions. Twice-annual sampling occurred for three years in diverse stream settings and environmental conditions that may have affected eDNA carry distance. From information gained in these controlled trials, a protocol for appropriate sampling intervals based on stream flows was devised yielding high probabilities of detection, given presence.
 
See publication on this procedure in Biological Invasions. Publication : Utilizing environmental DNA for fish eradication effectiveness monitoring in streams

 
This innovative technology and the implementation of this project represents a significant step forward in Brook Trout suppression efforts in the Upper Malheur River Basin and underscores the Burns Paiute Tribe’s commitment to the preservation and enhancement of bull trout on its property.