Foraging ecology of nearshore fishes in the Gulf of Alaska

Previous genetic studies indicate Steller sea lions ( Eumetopias jubatus (Schreber, 1776)) comprise three phylogeographically distinct populations. However, differences in population trends and ecology and the limited extent of recorded dispersal suggest structure may be present at smaller scales. We examined sequence variation within a longer segment (531 bp) of the mtDNA control region in greater numbers (n = 1654) of sea lions from across Alaska than earlier investigations to investigate fine-scale dispersal patterns in Steller sea lions. We detected high levels of haplotypic diversity (h = 0.934) and confirmed phylogeographic differentiation between southeastern and western Alaska (Φst = 0.23, P < 0.0001), but also found significant differentiation at regional and local scales. Rookeries in the Gulf of Alaska, eastern Bering Sea, and eastern Aleutians were distinct from rookeries in the central and western Aleutians (Fst = 0.021, P < 0.0001; Φst = 0.017, P < 0.0001). The location of this split coincides with an oceanographic divergence between continental shelf and ocean basin waters and with differences in sea lion foraging ecology and population trends. A number of rookeries were also significantly differentiated from nearby rookeries (Fst = 0.02–0.025, P < 0.05), signifying substantial female-mediated philopatry, in some cases, at local scales. These findings have important implications for understanding the ecology of Steller sea lions in relation to marine ecosystems and the causes of population declines, and they provide guidance for management, including the identification of management stocks.

Download Full-text

Seasonal changes in depth distribution of salmon sharks (Lamna ditropis) in Alaskan waters: implications for foraging ecology

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f2011-105 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 68 (11) ◽

pp. 1905-1921 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Aaron B. Carlisle ◽

Christopher R. Perle ◽

Kenneth J. Goldman ◽

Barbara A. Block

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Changes ◽

Depth Distribution ◽

Prey Species ◽

Foraging Ecology ◽

Gulf Of Alaska ◽

Apex Predator ◽

Important Species ◽

Important Prey ◽

Commercially Important ◽

High Degree

The salmon shark, Lamna ditropis, is an endothermic, apex predator in the productive waters of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). To understand their role in these productive habitats and to identify and better understand their interactions with commercially important species and fisheries, detailed information regarding the distribution of the salmon shark is required. Archival data records from eight recovered pop-up archival transmitting (PAT) tags were analyzed to examine the geographic and vertical distribution of female salmon sharks and elucidate how their distribution changes in relation to the biotic and abiotic environment. Tagged sharks used the neritic habitats of the GOA for the duration of the PAT deployments. Sharks exhibited a diel periodicity in their dive behavior. Salmon sharks exhibited three different patterns of depth distribution (behavioral modes) that occurred during distinct oceanographic seasons, likely reflecting changes in their foraging ecology in response to seasonal changes in the distribution and availability of important prey. The distribution of salmon sharks in the GOA appears to follow consistent patterns and has a high degree of geographical and vertical overlap with commercially important prey species. This information increases our understanding of interactions between salmon sharks and commercial fisheries and may assist in fostering responsible management for this species.

Download Full-text

A Three Dimensional Model of the Gulf of Alaska

Coastal Engineering 1986 ◽

10.1061/9780872626003.193 ◽

1987 ◽

Author(s):

Shiao-Kung Liu ◽

Jan J. Leendertse

Keyword(s):

Three Dimensional ◽

Gulf Of Alaska ◽

Dimensional Model ◽

Three Dimensional Model

Download Full-text

Spatial and temporal dynamics of Pacific capelin Mallotus catervarius in the Gulf of Alaska: implications for ecosystem-based fisheries management

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps13211 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 637 ◽

pp. 117-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

DW McGowan ◽

ED Goldstein ◽

ML Arimitsu ◽

AL Deary ◽

O Ormseth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Temporal Dynamics ◽

Marine Ecosystem ◽

Gulf Of Alaska ◽

Data Series ◽

Limited Information ◽

Important Species ◽

Multiple Data ◽

Spatial And Temporal Dynamics ◽

Spawning Areas ◽

Spatio Temporal

Pacific capelin Mallotus catervarius are planktivorous small pelagic fish that serve an intermediate trophic role in marine food webs. Due to the lack of a directed fishery or monitoring of capelin in the Northeast Pacific, limited information is available on their distribution and abundance, and how spatio-temporal fluctuations in capelin density affect their availability as prey. To provide information on life history, spatial patterns, and population dynamics of capelin in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), we modeled distributions of spawning habitat and larval dispersal, and synthesized spatially indexed data from multiple independent sources from 1996 to 2016. Potential capelin spawning areas were broadly distributed across the GOA. Models of larval drift show the GOA’s advective circulation patterns disperse capelin larvae over the continental shelf and upper slope, indicating potential connections between spawning areas and observed offshore distributions that are influenced by the location and timing of spawning. Spatial overlap in composite distributions of larval and age-1+ fish was used to identify core areas where capelin consistently occur and concentrate. Capelin primarily occupy shelf waters near the Kodiak Archipelago, and are patchily distributed across the GOA shelf and inshore waters. Interannual variations in abundance along with spatio-temporal differences in density indicate that the availability of capelin to predators and monitoring surveys is highly variable in the GOA. We demonstrate that the limitations of individual data series can be compensated for by integrating multiple data sources to monitor fluctuations in distributions and abundance trends of an ecologically important species across a large marine ecosystem.

Download Full-text