Influence of mariculture on winter sea duck distribution and abundance in south Puget Sound
Presentation Abstract
Shellfish mariculture is a valuable and expanding industry in Washington State, in particular in South Puget Sound. Concurrently, long-term monitoring efforts throughout Puget Sound reveal varying levels of decline in a significant number of over-wintering sea duck species. However, reasons for these declines are unknown and the need for winter habitat assessments throughout Puget Sound is evident. The overlapping distributions of mariculture industry and marine bird use in nearshore environments identify a high probability of interaction. This study identified and evaluated associations of four sea duck species/groups, Bufflehead, Scoter, Goldeneye and Merganser, in relation to a changing mariculture landscape. Findings illustrate that shellfish mariculture in South Puget Sound is both expanding and intensifying; expanding almost 3 study sites annually by medium and large acreage operations and growing at an annual rate of 127 acres. Our results suggest that sea ducks exhibit species or group-specific responses to mariculture. Evaluating the location and intensity of mariculture operations in the South Puget Sound, Bufflehead and Scoter species abundances were positively associated with industry to different degrees. Only Bufflehead, however, maintained significant positive associations over time. Alternatively, Goldeneye and Merganser species abundances demonstrated negative associations with shellfish mariculture, however responses varied by intensity of culture operations. The influence of shellfish mariculture on winter sea duck populations is clear, however variability by species demonstrate that while industry may coexist or benefit some, can prove deleterious for others. This study highlights the complexity in defining spatially and temporally dynamic sea duck-mariculture relations. We recommend continued research to better understand species-specific habitat use and availability in relation to mariculture development and activity of winter sea duck populations in Puget Sound.
Session Title
The Biological and Physical Factors Driving Marine Bird Population Dynamics in the Salish Sea
Conference Track
Species and Food Webs
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Sea ducks--Washington (State)--Puget Sound--Geographical distribution; Mariculture--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Shellfish fisheries--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Coastal zone management--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (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
Influence of mariculture on winter sea duck distribution and abundance in south Puget Sound
2016SSEC
Shellfish mariculture is a valuable and expanding industry in Washington State, in particular in South Puget Sound. Concurrently, long-term monitoring efforts throughout Puget Sound reveal varying levels of decline in a significant number of over-wintering sea duck species. However, reasons for these declines are unknown and the need for winter habitat assessments throughout Puget Sound is evident. The overlapping distributions of mariculture industry and marine bird use in nearshore environments identify a high probability of interaction. This study identified and evaluated associations of four sea duck species/groups, Bufflehead, Scoter, Goldeneye and Merganser, in relation to a changing mariculture landscape. Findings illustrate that shellfish mariculture in South Puget Sound is both expanding and intensifying; expanding almost 3 study sites annually by medium and large acreage operations and growing at an annual rate of 127 acres. Our results suggest that sea ducks exhibit species or group-specific responses to mariculture. Evaluating the location and intensity of mariculture operations in the South Puget Sound, Bufflehead and Scoter species abundances were positively associated with industry to different degrees. Only Bufflehead, however, maintained significant positive associations over time. Alternatively, Goldeneye and Merganser species abundances demonstrated negative associations with shellfish mariculture, however responses varied by intensity of culture operations. The influence of shellfish mariculture on winter sea duck populations is clear, however variability by species demonstrate that while industry may coexist or benefit some, can prove deleterious for others. This study highlights the complexity in defining spatially and temporally dynamic sea duck-mariculture relations. We recommend continued research to better understand species-specific habitat use and availability in relation to mariculture development and activity of winter sea duck populations in Puget Sound.
