Project Information

Title: PWS Herring Survey: Top-Down Regulation by Predatory Fish on Juvenile Herring 10100132-G

Project Year and Number: 2010: 10100132-G

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2010: 10100132-A, 2010: 10100132, 2010: 10100132-B, 2010: 10100132-C, 2010: 10100132-D, 2010: 10100132-E, 2010: 10100132-F, 2010: 10100132-H, 2010: 10100132-I

Principal Investigator (PI): Mary Anne Bishop (Prince William Sound Science Center)

Managing Agency: NOAA

Assisting Personnel: Sean Powers

Research Location: Prince William Sound

Restoration Category: Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Pacific Herring

Abstract: Based on population trends, the Prince William Sound (PWS) Pacific herring population does not show signs of recovering. Predation pressure on juvenile herring has been cited as an important factor in preventing recovery. Juvenile herring are heavily predated by multiple species of fish, including rockfish, a species group injured by the Exxon Valdez Oil spill with unknown recovery status. This proposal is for a four-year study to investigate fish predation on the 0-age class herring over winter, a critical bottleneck for recruitment. We will examine the spatial and temporal abundance of fish predators in and around juvenile herring schools, as well as the physical and biological characteristics of the herring schools on which they feed. We will also conduct laboratory experiments to determine fish predators' daily rations and prey preferences. Our project is a component of the PWS Herring Survey program and relies on predator surveys being performed on integrated November and March cruises. Our models will provide estimates of juvenile herring consumption by the most important fish predators. Ultimately, this study will improve understanding of the role of fish predation on herring recruitment, will provide protocols and recommendations for long-term fish predator monitoring and management, and will help to identify candidate sites for herring supplementation efforts.


Proposal: View (946 KB)

Reports:
Annual Report FY10: View (114 KB)
Annual Report FY11: View (1,100 KB)
Annual Report FY12: View (554 KB)
Final Report: Not available. For current status, please contact us.

Publications from this Project: None Available