Project Information

Title: Field Examination of Oil-Related Embryo Mortalities that Persist in Pink Salmon Populations in PWS 97191-A

Project Year and Number: 1997: 97191-A

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 1999: 99191-A-CLO, 1998: 98191-A1, 1997: 97191-A2, 1997: 97191-A1, 1996: 96191-B, 1996: 96191-A, 1996: 96191-A1, 1995: 95191-A, 1995: 95191, 1995: 95191-B, 1995: 95191-A1, 1995: 95191-A2, 1994: 94191-1, 1994: 94191-2, 1993: 93003, 1992: FS02, 1991: FS02, 1990: FS02, 1989: FS02

Principal Investigator (PI): Mark Willette (Alaska Department of Fish & Game)

Managing Agency: ADFG

Assisting Personnel: Jim Seeb

Research Location: Prince William Sound

Restoration Category: Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Pink Salmon

Abstract: Elevated embryo mortalities were detected in populations of pink salmon inhabiting oiled streams following the oil spill. These increased rates of mortality persisted annually through the 1993 field season, suggesting that genetic damage may have occurred as a result of exposure to oil during early developmental life-stages. The consequences of this putative genetic damage include physiological dysfunction of individuals and reduced reproductive capacity of populations. The 1994 field results show no statistical difference in embryo mortality between oil-contaminated and reference streams. This project will continue to monitor the recovery of pink salmon embryos in the field and would verify and identify the occurrence of genetic damages.


Proposal: Not Available

Reports:
Final Report: See Project 98191-A1

Publications from this Project: None Available