Schmidt, S., 2010. Juvenile Salmon and Nearshore fish Use in shallow Intertidal Habitat Associated with Cornet Bay 2010. Sarah Schmidt, Coupeville, WA. pp. 16.

The WSU Island County Beach Watchers are working collaboratively with the Island County
Marine Resources Committee and Washington State Parks. Collecting data about juvenile salmonid
use of the nearshore at Cornet Bay is a part of the characterization process of the bay prior to
nearshore habitat enhancement projects that are occurring at this location. The focus of this report is
on fish abundance and size in Cornet Bay in 2010. This report is meant to inform local citizens and
Cornet Bay project partners about fish populations currently using the Cornet Bay area.
The use of beach seining techniques to understand juvenile salmon utilization of coastal lagoon
habitats and adjacent beach sites started in Island County in 2002 with research focused on juvenile
Chinook at sites in Skagit Bay (Beamer et al. 2003). Since then a number of studies have utilized
this technique to assess nearshore fish use throughout Island County. The Beach Watchers have
been a part of these research efforts since 2005.
STUDY AREA
Cornet Bay is located on the northern shoreline of Whidbey Island, in Deception Pass (Figure 1).
This bay is located behind Ben Ure Island on the south shoreline of Deception Pass. The shoreline
has been developed with boating and other recreational facilities; a road along the shoreline; and
residences.