Andy Obst Email & Phone Number

Secures grant funding for and manages construction of multi-barrier fish passage and habitat restoration projects in the Snoqualmie River Valley. Conducts wetland delineations and prepares Critical Areas Reports, Biological Evaluations and Assessments, WDFW Hydraulic Project Approvals, JARPA for USACE Nationwide Permits and Section 404. Leads large scale fish relocation and salvage efforts for stream restoration projects and King County’s Agricultural Drainage Assistance Program (ADAP). Performs fish assessments to inform in water construction work using electrofishing, baited minnow traps, and dip netting. Measures water quality (turbidity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and temp) prior to and during in water construction work using YSI. Manages fish screening program to assist farmers with selection and purchase of NMFS compliant screens for irrigation diversions for the protection of fish.

Conducted surgical implantation of acoustic-tagged study fish (juvenile sockeye and coho) for the Lake Cushman Downstream Migrant Evaluation at Cushman Dam in Hoodsport, WA in 2018 and 2019.

Under the Watershed Health Monitoring Program assessed the health of streams and rivers in the Upper Columbia region of northern Washington State using several field sampling protocols including:• in-stream and riparian physical surveys• in-stream water quality measurements• sediment chemistry sampling for hydrocarbons and metals• vertebrate assemblage sampling• macroinvertebrate assemblage sampling• periphyton assemblage sampling

Appointed to assist in the training and evaluation of potential surgeons prior to the second season of the USACE Snake and Columbia River Multi-dam Performance Study. Examined and photographed incisions on fish implanted with acoustic transmitters and PIT tags. Surgically implanted radio transmitters into (n = 125) juvenile steelhead. Operated YSI to collect daily water chemistry data (temperature, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen). Volunteered during the annual Salmon Summit to inject PIT tags in juvenile Chinook salmon for local schools. Fabricated all stainless steel catheters and needles (n = 100) used for surgery. Constructed battery components for injectable acoustic micro-transmitters.

Salem, Oregon, Us

Interviewed commercial fishermen for the Ocean Salmon Trolling Survey to collect data for better assessment and management of the commercial salmon industry. Collected weekly catch estimates, measured fork lengths and removed snouts from Chinook implanted with coded wire tags. Collected total weights for each grade of fish landed, and recorded data in a handheld computer.

Salem, Oregon, Us

Interviewed anglers and charter boat captains for the Ocean Recreational Boat Survey to collect data for better assessment and management of ocean salmon and species of groundfish and tuna, collected weekly catch estimates, removed Chinook and coho snouts and collected scales from key area of coho implanted with coded wire tags, scanned black rockfish for implanted PIT tags, identified all species of fish, measured fork length and weighed samples, recorded data daily in handheld computer (PDA), handled live and dead species of fish, handled live crab, conducted slip and trailer count, volunteered with a mark recapture survey for the Coastal Chinook Monitoring Research Program

Portland, Or, Us

Performed surgeries to implant acoustic telemetry transmitters into juvenile salmonids(Chinook and steelhead) at Lower Monumental Dam for the USACE Snake and ColumbiaRiver Multi-dam Performance Study. Assisted in surgery support using UV and hot beadsterilization methods on surgical tools.

Richland, Wa, Us

Conducted laboratory research on the influence of externally attaching neutrally buoyanttransmitters to juvenile salmonids passing through dams. Conducted laboratoryresearch on the effects of TDG on the survival, growth, and seawater tolerance of chumsalmon fry. Performed data entry, created figures, and helped draft reports.Participated in fieldwork for various projects. Trained to surgically implant acoustictransmitters in fish. Performed routine fish care tasks.

Compiled historic charts and surveys in a GIS database for the Great Bay BathymetricChange Study. Created geologic GIS databases for the US Atlantic Margin and for theGulf of Alaska by compiling geologic datasets (cores, seismic profiles, sediment types,backscatter), seafloor photographs, and bathymetry.

Participated in research cruises from Honolulu, HI to Necker Ridge and from Astoria,OR to Cordell Bank National Sanctuary. Monitored the progress of multibeam sonarusing SIS software. Processed and refined collected data using Caris. Performed XBT(Expendable Bathythermograph) casts to obtain sound velocity profiles. Processed XBTcasts using MK21 and Velociwin.

Created several GIS projects using Arc GIS 9.3.

Evaluated the status of native brook trout in streams of Shenandoah National Park.Hiked with equipment (>45lbs) to remote site locations. Operated electro-fishingequipment. Performed habitat and water quality assessments using various tools.

Post Bachelor Certificate Program, Wetland Science And Management

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Marine Affairs