Forage Fish Ecology and Restoration
Presentation Abstract
Forage Fish Ecology and Restoration Abstract
Forage fish are small, pelagic fishes that form an essential energy pathway between producers and secondary consumers. Taking into account the scope of forage fish’s influence on the marine and riparian environment, this study examines how proper commercial management, ecological knowledge, and forage fish restoration benefits the Georgia Depression ecosystem as a whole. Observing officially recorded beach spawning sites of forage fish like Pacific Sand Lance and Surf Smelt in this area, as well as reviewing a wide array of publications on the subject of forage fish, brought about the idea that there has long been an awareness of the importance of their conservation, but a lack of information on their larger ecological role. In turn, the current and historical status of their predators and prey were examined, revealing frequent movements and fluctuations in predator populations lining up with forage fish health, and bioaccumulation in higher trophic levels due to the ingestion of harmful algal blooms by forage fish. A policy of “Evolution not Revolution” was found to be the most ideal method of managing forage fish, as opposed to taking more drastic measures. Additionally, it was discovered that the greatest weakness of any organism is the deficit of knowledge on them, and the resulting shortfall of incentives to protect them in the long run. This study is intended to be read by any audience in order to enrich knowledge on forage fish, and provide motivation towards their restoration and conservation.
Session Title
Forage Fish Management and Conservation in the Salish Sea
Conference Track
Species and Food Webs
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Forage fishes--Ecology--Georgia Basin (B.C. and Wash.); Restoration ecology--Georgia Basin (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Georgia Basin (B.C. and Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Forage Fish Ecology and Restoration
2016SSEC
Forage Fish Ecology and Restoration Abstract
Forage fish are small, pelagic fishes that form an essential energy pathway between producers and secondary consumers. Taking into account the scope of forage fish’s influence on the marine and riparian environment, this study examines how proper commercial management, ecological knowledge, and forage fish restoration benefits the Georgia Depression ecosystem as a whole. Observing officially recorded beach spawning sites of forage fish like Pacific Sand Lance and Surf Smelt in this area, as well as reviewing a wide array of publications on the subject of forage fish, brought about the idea that there has long been an awareness of the importance of their conservation, but a lack of information on their larger ecological role. In turn, the current and historical status of their predators and prey were examined, revealing frequent movements and fluctuations in predator populations lining up with forage fish health, and bioaccumulation in higher trophic levels due to the ingestion of harmful algal blooms by forage fish. A policy of “Evolution not Revolution” was found to be the most ideal method of managing forage fish, as opposed to taking more drastic measures. Additionally, it was discovered that the greatest weakness of any organism is the deficit of knowledge on them, and the resulting shortfall of incentives to protect them in the long run. This study is intended to be read by any audience in order to enrich knowledge on forage fish, and provide motivation towards their restoration and conservation.
