MSI: Southeast Alaska Coastal Monitoring
A primary goal of the Southeast Alaska Coastal Monitoring (SECM) research project is to build and maintain a time series of biophysical oceanographic indices related to the seasonal growth, distribution, abundance, and habitat utilization of juvenile salmon stocks, associated fishes, and other co-occurring marine species.
A secondary goal is to examine relationships between juvenile salmon and ecologically-related species. Long-term sampling over varying environmental and changing climatic conditions will improve understanding of relationships between early marine growth and survival of salmon and transitional habitat utilization by salmon and other associated fishes and marine organisms. SECM research focuses on habitat and ecological process studies by the Auke Bay Laboratories, and addresses objectives of the following international science programs: North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC), and Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics (GLOBEC).
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Pacific salmon juveniles sampled in Icy Strait, Southeast Alaska |
SECM research was initiated in the spring of 1997, just prior to the onset of a strong El Niño event, and has continued annually. Sampling centers around Icy Strait (58.3°N, 135.5°W) in the northern region of Southeast Alaska and was expanded to include Clarence Strait (55.3°N and 132.0°W) in the southern region in 2005. These localities are principal migration corridors for salmon transiting to offshore areas as juveniles and returning to inshore waters as adults. They are also major transition regions and important nursery areas that provide habitat links between inshore coastal and offshore waters for a host of other fishes and marine species.
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Sea surface temperature anomalies from an El Niño event are shown to affect the Gulf of Alaska in 1997 ( http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov) |
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Primary migration corridors utilized by juvenile salmon transiting through strait habitats in Southeast to the Gulf of Alaska. |
SECM sampling is conducted monthly during up to six intervals from May to October, and at up to 24 stations spanning 250 km from inshore habitats near large glacial rivers to coastal habitats 65 km offshore in the Gulf of Alaska. Juvenile salmon and ecologically-related species are sampled with a surface trawl from a NOAA Ship. A suite of other biophysical samples and data are also collected at each station with a variety of oceanographic instruments and plankton nets. SECM research is scheduled to continue with increased focus on process studies and an emphasis on bioenergetics of predator-prey food webs, including lower trophic levels and interactions of hatchery and wild stocks of juvenile salmon. These biophysical data are also being used to forecast pink salmon returns to Southeast Alaska by NOAA Fisheries and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Contact:
Joe Orsi
Auke Bay Laboratories
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries
Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute
17109 Pt Lena Loop Rd
Juneau AK 99801
(907) 789-6034
Joe.Orsi@noaa.gov
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