Presentation Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of salmon populations is important for conservation and management, but the factors driving spatial and temporal variation in many salmon populations remain poorly understood. Understanding these patterns is important for many coastal First Nations, who play an important role in the monitoring and management of salmon in their traditional territories. Using data from 200 unique spawning locations on the Central Coast of British Columbia, we quantified patterns in abundance and coherence of salmon over space and time to measure the extent to which portfolio effects stabilize variation in stocks. We found strong declines in Sockeye Salmon abundance across the Central Coast. This decline was accompanied by an increase in population synchrony among stocks. Chum and Pink Salmon also showed generally similar patterns to Sockeye, though the odd-year lineage of Pink Salmon showed increased abundance in recent years. These changes in synchrony within salmon populations may be important as synchronization increases the risk of declines due to boom and bust dynamics. To explore possible drivers of changes, we test if factors such as changes in fishing rates, ocean conditions, or increased competition on the high seas explained changes in synchrony through time. To expand this work, over the next two years we will be working with First Nations throughout the Salish Sea to assess the status of salmon and their habitats. This future work will position us to better understand the drivers of changes in the synchrony among salmon populations on wider spatial scales.
Session Title
Salmon and their Habitats
Keywords
Salmon populations, Watersheds
Conference Track
SSE11: Species and Food Webs
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE11-417
Start Date
6-4-2018 9:30 AM
End Date
6-4-2018 9:45 AM
Type of Presentation
Oral
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)
Salmon stock management--British Columbia; Salmon--Spawning--British Columbia; Fish declines--British Columbia; Fish populations-Monitoring--British Columbia
Geographic Coverage
British Columbia
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
Increases in synchrony among Central Coast salmon populations in British Columbia over the last 60 years
Understanding the dynamics of salmon populations is important for conservation and management, but the factors driving spatial and temporal variation in many salmon populations remain poorly understood. Understanding these patterns is important for many coastal First Nations, who play an important role in the monitoring and management of salmon in their traditional territories. Using data from 200 unique spawning locations on the Central Coast of British Columbia, we quantified patterns in abundance and coherence of salmon over space and time to measure the extent to which portfolio effects stabilize variation in stocks. We found strong declines in Sockeye Salmon abundance across the Central Coast. This decline was accompanied by an increase in population synchrony among stocks. Chum and Pink Salmon also showed generally similar patterns to Sockeye, though the odd-year lineage of Pink Salmon showed increased abundance in recent years. These changes in synchrony within salmon populations may be important as synchronization increases the risk of declines due to boom and bust dynamics. To explore possible drivers of changes, we test if factors such as changes in fishing rates, ocean conditions, or increased competition on the high seas explained changes in synchrony through time. To expand this work, over the next two years we will be working with First Nations throughout the Salish Sea to assess the status of salmon and their habitats. This future work will position us to better understand the drivers of changes in the synchrony among salmon populations on wider spatial scales.
