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ABC
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Allowable Biological Catch. A term that refers to the range of allowable catch for a species or species group. It is set each year by a scientific group. The ABC estimates are used to set the annual total allowable catch (TAC). See also TAC.
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abiotic factor
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The physical, chemical, and other non-living components of the environment in which an organism lives. These factors include all aspects of climate, geology, and atmosphere that affect ecological systems. Compare biotic factor.
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abundance
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The number of fish or other species of interest in a population.
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abyssopelagic zone
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Abysso meaning "no bottom." This zone of the ocean begins 4,000 m below the surface of the ocean and extends down to the sea floor. It is home to a variety of unique species that are specially adapted to the inhospitable conditions that these depths create. Compare bathypelagic zone and mesopelagic zone.
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ACE
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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adaptation
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Any change in the structure or function of an organism that makes it better suited to its environment. For example, the torpedo body shape of a tuna allows for fast swimming in the open ocean.
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adduct
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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.
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ADF&G
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Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
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adipose fin
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A small fin on the fish's back near the tail; often removed on hatchery salmon in order to differentiate them from wild salmon.
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AFSC
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Alaska Fisheries Science Center. One of six regional research centers of the National Marine Fisheries Service. See also NMFS.
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air bladder
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An air-filled structure used by fish to maintain buoyancy and, in some species, to aid in respiration; also known as swim bladder.
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alevin
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Newly hatched salmon with the yolk sack still attached.
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ALL
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Aquatic lands lease.
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allele
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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.
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allopatric
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Occupying distinct geographical areas (and therefore unable to interbreed).
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allozyme
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One of several forms of the same enzyme having electrophoretic mobilities and which corresponds to alternative alleles at the same genetic locus.
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anadromous
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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.
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anal fin
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The single fin situated on the midline of the fish behind the anus.
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ANOVA
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Analysis of the variance. A group of statistical procedures.
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aquaculture
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The commercial growing of marine or freshwater plants or animals in water.
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ASCII
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American Standard Code for Information Interchange.
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ASMFS
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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.
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ASP
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Amnesiac shellfish poisoning. The original name given to domoic acid poisoning, one symptom of which is severe short-term memory loss. See also domoic acid.
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assay
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Experimental test or analysis.
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autocorrelation
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The correlation of a variable with itself over time.
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autotroph
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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 and photosynthesis; compare heteroptroph.
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