Fish assemblages associated with eelgrass in south Puget Sound
Presentation Abstract
Seagrass is a marine flowering plant that is an important indicator of ecosystem health by providing vital habitat for fish in marine ecosystems. Unfortunately, seagrass is currently experiencing a worldwide decline due to multiple stressors including shoreline development and pollution. Eelgrass (Zostera marina), a seagrass species native to the Salish Sea, provides vital habitat for important commercial fishes including herring (Clupea pallasii) and salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). A loss of eelgrass coverage could potentially harm vital food fish stocks. Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has transplanted approximately 500 m2 of eelgrass to Joemma State Park (JSP) in South Puget Sound as part of their goal to increase 20% total eelgrass coverage in Puget Sound by 2020. To determine the effect of transplanted eelgrass on fish abundance and diversity, video data was collected to compare fish assemblages at JSP and a natural eelgrass bed at Dupont Warf. Unbaited underwater video cameras were deployed biweekly from June to August 2017. A two-minute video was recorded every ten minutes after initial camera deployment at low tide. Video was recorded for 24 hours, but footage after sunset was discarded due to low light. This data was analyzed to quantify fish abundance and diversity at each site. Results will describe fish assemblages that use eelgrass beds in the South Puget Sound and provide information on how fishes respond to transplanted eelgrass at JSP. Video data of fish assemblages at transplanted eelgrass will help determine if the transplanted eelgrass at JSP is providing functional habitat for fishes.
Session Title
Posters: Habitat Restoration & Protection
Conference Track
SSE18: Posters
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE18-76
Start Date
5-4-2018 11:30 AM
End Date
5-4-2018 1:30 PM
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events); posters
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Seagrass restoration--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Eelgrass--Conservation--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Fish communities--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Fishery management--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Subjects – Names (LCNAF)
Washington (State). Department of Natural Resources
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
Fish assemblages associated with eelgrass in south Puget Sound
Seagrass is a marine flowering plant that is an important indicator of ecosystem health by providing vital habitat for fish in marine ecosystems. Unfortunately, seagrass is currently experiencing a worldwide decline due to multiple stressors including shoreline development and pollution. Eelgrass (Zostera marina), a seagrass species native to the Salish Sea, provides vital habitat for important commercial fishes including herring (Clupea pallasii) and salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). A loss of eelgrass coverage could potentially harm vital food fish stocks. Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has transplanted approximately 500 m2 of eelgrass to Joemma State Park (JSP) in South Puget Sound as part of their goal to increase 20% total eelgrass coverage in Puget Sound by 2020. To determine the effect of transplanted eelgrass on fish abundance and diversity, video data was collected to compare fish assemblages at JSP and a natural eelgrass bed at Dupont Warf. Unbaited underwater video cameras were deployed biweekly from June to August 2017. A two-minute video was recorded every ten minutes after initial camera deployment at low tide. Video was recorded for 24 hours, but footage after sunset was discarded due to low light. This data was analyzed to quantify fish abundance and diversity at each site. Results will describe fish assemblages that use eelgrass beds in the South Puget Sound and provide information on how fishes respond to transplanted eelgrass at JSP. Video data of fish assemblages at transplanted eelgrass will help determine if the transplanted eelgrass at JSP is providing functional habitat for fishes.
