Presentation Abstract
Rockfish are a long-lived species group that provide an important function for the food web dynamics in the Salish Sea, as both a mid-level trophic predator and important prey source, and they hold cultural significance to the region. Rockfish are comprised of over 25 different species locally, and over 60 species from California to Alaska. Many species experienced declines since the 1980’s, and two species are listed in the Salish Sea under ESA as threatened (yelloweye) or endangered (Bocaccio). Different species occupy a range of habitat types, from deep-water rock piles and hard bottom substrate, to nearshore kelp forests and eelgrass beds. As individuals grow their habitat associations change, such that protection and conservation efforts require a broad understanding of individual species and life history needs. State and federal agencies have conducted monitoring surveys for decades, and recovery efforts are currently being developed to improve habitats and resources for rockfish. A majority of research has focused on sub-adult and adult rockfish, but recent efforts study the distribution, settlement, and habitat use of young-of-the-year (YOY) and juvenile rockfish. Due to the paucity of government resources, the contributions of citizen scientists are expected to play a valuable role. Our session will include a review of survey methods and techniques that target a suite of rockfish species, habitats, and life history stages. The objective is to bring together researchers from the US and Canada in an effort to connect resources and discuss opportunities for collaborative projects for recovery of these iconic species. Topics include methods and challenges to surveying benthic and midwater rockfish species, YOY volunteer monitoring and data analysis, kelp habitat recovery, and policy and management.
Session Title
Posters: Species & Food Webs
Keywords
Rockfish, Recovery, Conservation, Management
Conference Track
SSE18: Posters
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE18-104
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)
Striped bass-Monitoring--Salish Sea (B.C.) and Wash.); Rare fishes (Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Restoration monitoring (Ecology)--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Fish declines (Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
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
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
NOAA rockfish recovery management and research in the Salish Sea, Washington
Rockfish are a long-lived species group that provide an important function for the food web dynamics in the Salish Sea, as both a mid-level trophic predator and important prey source, and they hold cultural significance to the region. Rockfish are comprised of over 25 different species locally, and over 60 species from California to Alaska. Many species experienced declines since the 1980’s, and two species are listed in the Salish Sea under ESA as threatened (yelloweye) or endangered (Bocaccio). Different species occupy a range of habitat types, from deep-water rock piles and hard bottom substrate, to nearshore kelp forests and eelgrass beds. As individuals grow their habitat associations change, such that protection and conservation efforts require a broad understanding of individual species and life history needs. State and federal agencies have conducted monitoring surveys for decades, and recovery efforts are currently being developed to improve habitats and resources for rockfish. A majority of research has focused on sub-adult and adult rockfish, but recent efforts study the distribution, settlement, and habitat use of young-of-the-year (YOY) and juvenile rockfish. Due to the paucity of government resources, the contributions of citizen scientists are expected to play a valuable role. Our session will include a review of survey methods and techniques that target a suite of rockfish species, habitats, and life history stages. The objective is to bring together researchers from the US and Canada in an effort to connect resources and discuss opportunities for collaborative projects for recovery of these iconic species. Topics include methods and challenges to surveying benthic and midwater rockfish species, YOY volunteer monitoring and data analysis, kelp habitat recovery, and policy and management.
