Condition of Forage Fish in Prince William Sound During the Marine Heatwave
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Changes in the body condition of a key forage fish species, Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus), are examined to understand how energy transfer to predators may have been disrupted during the recent marine heatwave in the North Pacific (late 2013 to mid 2016).
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Warmer temperatures can disrupt energy transfer through forage fish by raising metabolic costs and shifting the base of the food web toward lower-lipid zooplankton species. Sand lance were collected across five years that ranged in temperature from cool (summers 2012-2013) to extremely warm (summers 2014-2016) in Prince William Sound, Alaska, during July at the annual peak of lipid content. Length, energy density (kJ g-1 dry mass), and total body energy (kJ) are being measured in age-0 and age-1 sand lance. A shift in sand lance body condition may link warming water conditions with predator responses to the heatwave including seabird breeding failures and the 2015-16 die-off of starving common murres (Uria aalge). This work is part of the Gulf Watch Alaska Monitoring Program of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council.
Pacific sand lance in a colander that were captured in a small purse seine in Prince William Sound, Alaska.
(Credit: Sarah Schoen, USGS. Public domain.)
2 Black-legged Kittiwakes, one captured 2 Pacific sand lance.
(Credit: Sarah Schoen, USGS. Public domain.)
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Changes in the body condition of a key forage fish species, Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus), are examined to understand how energy transfer to predators may have been disrupted during the recent marine heatwave in the North Pacific (late 2013 to mid 2016).
Attribution: Region 11: Alaska, Alaska Science Center -
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Below are publications associated with this project.
Extreme reduction in nutritional value of a key forage fish during the Pacific marine heatwave of 2014–2016
Pacific sand lance Ammodytes personatus are a key forage fish in the North Pacific for many species of salmon, groundfish, seabirds, and marine mammals and have historically been important to predators in relatively warm years. However, extreme declines in the nutritional value of sand lance in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA, during...
von Biela, Vanessa R.; Arimitsu, Mayumi L.; Piatt, John F.; Heflin, Brielle; Schoen, Sarah K.; Trowbridge, Jannelle; Clawson, ChelseaBelow are multimedia items associated with this project.
Cabin Bay on Naked Island in Prince William Sound
A scenic of Cabin Bay on Naked Island in Prince William Sound
Schools of Pacific sand lance in Cabin Bay, Prince William Sound
Schools (shadows along the shore) of Pacific sand lance in Cabin Bay, Prince William Sound
Black-legged Kittiwake foraging on Pacific sand lance
Black-legged Kittiwakes foraging on Pacific sand lance.
Black-legged Kittiwake captured 2 Pacific sand lance
Black-legged Kittiwake captured 2 Pacific sand lance.
Black-legged Kittiwakes foraging on Pacific sand lance
Black-legged Kittiwakes foraging on Pacific sand lance
Pacific sand lance school underwater in Prince William Sound
A still taken from a video of Pacific sand lance underwater. This was taken alongside a cast net thrown in the water to illustrate fish that were not caught in the net.
Pacific sand lance from a purse seine in Prince William Sound
Pacific sand lance in a sieve that were captured in a small purse seine in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Biologists pulling in a small purse seine in Prince William Sound
Sarah Schoen, Erica Madison, and Mayumi Arimitsu pulling in a small purse seine to capture Pacific sand lance in Prince William Sound.
Close-up of a small purse seine set in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Closer view of setting a small purse seine to catch Pacific sand lance in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Setting a small purse seine in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Setting a small purse seine to catch Pacific sand lance in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Beautiful Prince William Sound, Alaska
A scenic view of the sea and the mountains in Prince William Sound
Scenic Prince William Sound, Alaska
A scenic view of the mountains and the ocean in Prince William Sound