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A

ABC
    Allowable Biological Catch - A term that refers to the range of allowable catch for a species of species group. It is set each year by a scientific group. The ABC estimates are used to set the annual total allowable catch (TAC).
Abiotic Factor
    The physical, chemical and other non-living components of the environment that an organism lives in. These factors include all aspects of climate, geology, and atmosphere that affect ecological systems. Compare biotic factor.
Abundance
    the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply.
Abyssopelagic Zone
    Abysso meaning "no bottom", this zone of the ocean begins 4000 m below the surface of the ocean and extends down to the sea floor. This zone is home to a variety of unique critters that are specially adapted to the inhospitable conditions that these depths create. Visit the Abyssopelagic Zone on OceanLink to learn about life in the abyss.
ACE
    US Army Corps of Engineers
Adaptation
    Any change in the structure or function of an organism which makes it better suited to its environment. For example, the torpedo body shape of a tuna allows for fast swimming in the open ocean.
Adduct
    In physiology, to draw in toward the median axis of the body or an adjacent part or limb. In chemistry, a compound formed by the combination of two or more substances
ADF&G
    Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Adipose fin
    a small fin on the fish's back near the tail, often removed on hatchery salmon in order to differentiate them from wild salmon.
Air bladder
    AKA "Swim bladder": an air-filled structure used by fish to maintain buoyancy, and, in some species, to aid in respiration.
Alevin
    newly hatched salmon with the yolk sack still attached
Algae
    Photosynthetic organisms
ALL
    Aquatic Lands Lease
Allele
    One of the alternative forms of a particular gene. Each gene is comprised of two alleles, one inherited from the father and one from the mother. Within a population, however, many alleles may exist for one gene.
Allopatric
    Occupying distinct geographical areas (and therefore unable to interbreed)
Allozyme
    One of several forms of the same enzyme having electrophoretic mobilities and which corresponds to alternative alleles at the same genetic locus.
Anadromous
    Of a fish species: migrating as a juvenile from fresh water to the ocean and then returning as an adult to spawn in fresh water; most Pacific salmon are anadromous; compare catadromous
Anal fin
    the single fin situated on the midline of the fish, behind the anus.
Anoplopoma fimbria
    Sablefish
ANOVA
    Analysis of the variance; a group of statistical procedures
APHA
    American Public Health Association
API
    Application Program Interface
Aquaculture
    The commercial growing of marine or freshwater plants or animals in water.
ARC/INFO
    a proprietary Geographical Information System
ASCII
    American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASMFS
    Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission - Serves as a deliberative body of the Atlantic coastal states, coordinating the conservation and management of nearshore fishery resources, including marine, shell and anadromous species.
ASP
    Amnesiac Shellfish Poisoning, the original name given to Domoic Acid poisoning, one symptom of which is severe short-term memory loss
Assay
    Experimental test or analysis
autocorrelation
    The correlation of a variable with itself over time
Autotroph
    An organism that synthesizes organic molecules from inorganic starting materials through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Autotrophs are ecologically important as primary producers as they ultimately provide energy for all heterotrophic organisms. See also chemosynthesis, photosynthesis; compare heteroptroph.

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last modified 12/18/2007

                   
   
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