Forage Fish MetaData

This window contains information about the 'forage fish' data set. The map combines data from three different layers. Please note that the data are plotted on top of a bathymetry base map (details available in metadata for the base map).

Source of Map Data?

• Layer Name: Smelt Spawning Areas
• Data Type: Shapefile Feature Class
• Shapefile: C:\TEMP\WC_MRC\WC_ShorelineInventory_2002\DFW_foragefish_UTM\smelt_wc
• Geometry Type: Line
• Coordinate System: UTM Zone 10 NAD 27 w False Northing
• Data Source: WDFW (2001)

• Layer Name: Herring Spawning Areas
• Data Type: Shapefile Feature Class
• Shapefile: C:\TEMP\WC_MRC\WC_ShorelineInventory_2002\DFW_foragefish_UTM\herspawn_wc
• Geometry Type: Polygon
• Coordinate System: UTM Zone 10 NAD 27 w False Northing
• Data Source: WDFW (2001)

• Layer Name: Herring Holding Areas
• Data Type: Shapefile Feature Class
• Shapefile: C:\TEMP\WC_MRC\WC_ShorelineInventory_2002\DFW_foragefish_UTM\herhold_wc
• Geometry Type: Polygon
• Coordinate System: UTM Zone 10 NAD 27 w False Northing
• Data Source: WDFW (2001)

When/How was the data collected?

Data for this inventory items comes from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Foragefish Inventory. The data is divided into four categories, Pacific herring spawning areas, Pacific herring holding areas, Surf smelt spawning areas, and Sand lance spawning areas. Specific information on each species can be found on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Forage Fish website (http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/fish/forage/forage.htm). The data was obtained during the summer of 2001 from WA DFW in a digital format. The data we obtained showed no locations of Sand lance spawning areas in Whatcom County. Thus, there are three themes included in the inventory that show the locations of forage fish in Whatcom County (herring holding and spawning areas and smelt spawning areas). The only change to the state-wide data that was made was that it was clipped to only include Whatcom County areas.

What format is the data available in?

ESRI Shapefiles

What do the legend designations mean?

Herring and Smelt spawn on substrates such as seagrass, kelp, and gravel in the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones. The areas indicated in the legend show beaches where herring and smelt spawning is known to occur. Herring holding areas are places where Herring are thought to congregate in the lead-up to spawning.

What attribute values exist in the data?

Layer Name: Smelt Spawning Areas

• Polyline ID's
• Length
• Spawn (indicates that line represents a smelt spawning beach)

Layer Name: Herring Spawning Areas

• Polygon ID's
• Area
• Perimeter
• Spawn (indicates herring spawning beach)

Layer Name: Herring Holding Areas

• Polygon ID's
• Area
• Perimeter
• Herrhol (indicates polygon represents a herring holding area)

GENERAL MAP INFORMATION: Map Projection is UTM NAD 27 Zone 10. Maps Created By Applied GIS Services (W.Lynch-C.Dolphin), January 2002. Data is complete only for Whatcom County Waters- refer to original data sources for other counties.

CAUTION: Map Should Not Be Used For Navigation.

DISCLAIMER: The data shown on these maps was processed primarily for use by the Whatcom County Marine Resource Committee. The maps may contain errors of content, completeness and positional accuracy. Testing of the positional accuracy of this data with respect to National Map Accuracy Standards has not been completed and therefore assume that it does not conform to National Mapping Accuracy Standards. User assumes responsibility to assess the appropriate use of the maps and data. Whatcom County MRC and Applied GIS cannot anticipate nor assume any responsibility or liability for the subsequent, secondary uses of the maps or data.

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