Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
Puget Sound Chinook salmon are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and habitat degradation and loss, overfishing, climate change and contaminant exposure are factors contributing to their decline. Juvenile Chinook salmon rear and feed for extended periods in estuary and nearshore habitats, potentially exposing them to contaminants that accumulate disproportionately there. Exposure to toxic contaminants can lead to reduced growth, a weakened immune response, reproductive impairment, and may ultimately reduce their survival. To assess the status of contaminant exposure in estuarine habitats used by seaward migrating juvenile Chinook salmon, fish were collected from the estuary habitat of 11 major river systems. Collectively, these sampling locations provide estuarine habitat for all of the 22 Puget Sound Chinook salmon populations. Measures of contaminant exposure in Chinook salmon from each of these locations allow us to assess the status of contaminant exposure for 1) populations associated with each river system, 2) major population groups (MPGs), and 3) the Puget Sound evolutionarily significance unit (ESU) as a whole. Ultimately, the intent of this study is to document the extent to which Puget Sound Chinook salmon are adversely impacted by contaminant exposure during their seaward migration. Reductions in juvenile Chinook salmon survival could lead to a lower abundance of returning adult Chinook salmon to Puget Sound, with broader ecosystem implications. Chinook salmon are an ecologically, culturally, and economically important species as well as the preferred prey of the ESA-listed Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW). Reductions in juvenile Chinook salmon survival could lead to a lower abundance of returning adult Chinook salmon to Puget Sound, limiting recreational, commercial and subsistence fisheries and the SRKW’s food supply. Results from this work will be used to guide remediation efforts and track the effectiveness of recovery actions to improve the health of Puget Sound Chinook salmon.
Session Title
Salmon and Contaminants
Conference Track
SSE10: Contaminants
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-165
Start Date
26-4-2022 11:30 AM
End Date
26-4-2022 1:00 PM
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Juvenile Chinook salmon accumulate harmful levels of toxic contaminants while undergoing their seaward migration
Puget Sound Chinook salmon are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and habitat degradation and loss, overfishing, climate change and contaminant exposure are factors contributing to their decline. Juvenile Chinook salmon rear and feed for extended periods in estuary and nearshore habitats, potentially exposing them to contaminants that accumulate disproportionately there. Exposure to toxic contaminants can lead to reduced growth, a weakened immune response, reproductive impairment, and may ultimately reduce their survival. To assess the status of contaminant exposure in estuarine habitats used by seaward migrating juvenile Chinook salmon, fish were collected from the estuary habitat of 11 major river systems. Collectively, these sampling locations provide estuarine habitat for all of the 22 Puget Sound Chinook salmon populations. Measures of contaminant exposure in Chinook salmon from each of these locations allow us to assess the status of contaminant exposure for 1) populations associated with each river system, 2) major population groups (MPGs), and 3) the Puget Sound evolutionarily significance unit (ESU) as a whole. Ultimately, the intent of this study is to document the extent to which Puget Sound Chinook salmon are adversely impacted by contaminant exposure during their seaward migration. Reductions in juvenile Chinook salmon survival could lead to a lower abundance of returning adult Chinook salmon to Puget Sound, with broader ecosystem implications. Chinook salmon are an ecologically, culturally, and economically important species as well as the preferred prey of the ESA-listed Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW). Reductions in juvenile Chinook salmon survival could lead to a lower abundance of returning adult Chinook salmon to Puget Sound, limiting recreational, commercial and subsistence fisheries and the SRKW’s food supply. Results from this work will be used to guide remediation efforts and track the effectiveness of recovery actions to improve the health of Puget Sound Chinook salmon.
