Running with Hooligans: population structure, biology, and cultural importance of the Nooksack River Longfin Smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys)

Longfin Smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) are commonly known as “Hooligans” to the local community in Bellingham, Washington. Tiokowe, the Indigenous name for the anadromous Longfin Smelt, is a culturally important species to the Lummi People and has been harvested by dipnet for generations near where the Nooksack River meets Bellingham Bay. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) from tribal elders tells of a time when Longfin Smelt were much more abundant, running for weeks rather than days, and with many more fish returning to the river. Likewise, at their southernmost limit, the Longfin Smelt is also in peril: the San Francisco Bay-Delta population of Longfin Smelt was found to be a distinct population segment (DPS) for protection under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), but it is currently precluded from protection due to resources being allocated for higher priority species. Many populations of Longfin Smelt, whose geographic range extends into Alaska, remain poorly understood despite their ecological importance as forage fishes in the Pacific Northwest. To better understand the anadromous Nooksack River population, observations were made on their life history, genetic samples were collected to assess population structure across even and odd years, and local fishermen from the Lummi tribe were consulted to better understand the history and relationship the Lummi people have with Longfin Smelt. This study is an important step in gathering data for staff at Lummi Natural Resources as they assess the conservation and managerial needs for the Longfin Smelt.