Project Information

Title: Effects of Oiled Incubation Substrate on Pink Salmon Reproduction 00476

Project Year and Number: 2000: 00476

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2003: 030476, 2002: 02476, 2001: 01476, 1999: 99476

Principal Investigator (PI): Ron Heintz (NOAA )

Managing Agency: NOAA

Assisting Personnel: None

Research Location: Little Port Walter

Restoration Category: Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Pink Salmon, Sediments

Abstract: This project will examine the effects of oil exposure during embryonic development on the gamete viability of pink salmon that survive to spawn. The objective is to determine if exposure to oil during incubation could explain the reduced gamete viability reported for pink salmon in Prince William Sound under Project /191A. In that project, gametes taken from pink salmon returning to oiled streams had higher mortality rates than gametes taken from salmon in unoiled streams. These data suggest a dramatic effect of oil on vertebrate reproduction that has not previously been described. The plausibility of reduced gamete viability is indicated by the effects demonstrated by Project /191B, which include reduced marine survival and growth of returning adults. However, this effect still requires unequivocal demonstration. During FY99, fry were exposed, marked, and released. During FY00, adults will be recovered and their gametes crossed to demonstrate their viability. In FY01, estimates of viability will be obtained and used to complete a model of life cycle effects resulting from incubation of eggs in oiled gravel.


Proposal: Not Available

Reports:
Annual Report FY00: View (970 KB)
Final Report: See Project 030476

Publications from this Project: None Available