Premature mortality observations among Alaska’s Pacific salmon during record heat and drought in 2019
Widespread mortality of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. returning to spawn in Alaska coincided with record-breaking air temperatures and prolonged drought in summer 2019. Extreme environmental conditions are expected to happen more frequently with rapid climate change and challenge the notion that Alaska could indefinitely provide abundant, cool freshwater habitat for Pacific salmon. A total of 110 geographically widespread opportunistic observations of premature mortality (carcasses) were collected from a variety of sources. Premature mortalities were documented for Pink Salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Sockeye Salmon O. nerka, Chum Salmon O. keta, Chinook Salmon O. tshawytscha, and Coho Salmon O. kisutch. Additionally, observations of Pink Salmon returning to spawn in Prince William Sound streams in 2019, obtained from systematic aerial surveys conducted annually, revealed low migration success in 87% of rain-driven streams (n = 30), 52% of snow-driven streams (n = 65), and only 18% of glacier-driven streams (n = 11). Salmon mortality observations were consistent with death due to heat stress resulting from high water temperatures or drought caused hypoxia and stranding. Developing a better understanding of how broad-scale climate patterns manifest at the stream scale can help us determine whether a major shift in Pacific salmon productivity is underway and inform fisheries management plans to better mitigate future risks.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Title | Premature mortality observations among Alaska’s Pacific salmon during record heat and drought in 2019 |
| DOI | 10.1002/fsh.10705 |
| Authors | Vanessa R. von Biela, Christopher J. Sergeant, Michael P. Carey, Zachary Liller, Charles M. Russell, Stephanie Quinn-Davidson, Peter S. Rand, P. A. H. Westley, Christian E. Zimmerman |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Fisheries |
| Index ID | 70230910 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Alaska Science Center Water |
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Observations Documenting Premature Mortality Among Alaska's Pacific Salmon in 2019
These data are a compilation of geographically widespread observations of premature mortality in Pacific salmon across their range in Alaska in 2019. Premature mortality observations primarily spanned an area of western and southcentral Alaska that is approximately one million km2 and included all five species of Pacific salmon. Observations were obtained and compiled in a single database from fou - Connect