Distribution and abundance of small schooling fish in nearshore areas of Glacier Bay, Alaska during June, 1999
Robards M, Piatt J, Drew G. 1999. Distribution and abundance of small schooling fish in nearshore areas of Glacier Bay, Alaska during June, 1999. Alaska Biological Sciences Center, U.S. Geological Survey
Nearshore fish of Glacier Bay were sampled during June 1999 dusing a beach seine. Fifty-nine beaches were visited and sampled at high and low tide, except for when unsuitable substrate was present at one of the tidal states. Five thousand two-hundred and forty-five fish comprising at least 24 species were collected from a total of 91 sets. Seventeen of these species were represented primarily by juvenile stages. The results indicated a clear gradation of abundance from Icy Strait to the upper areas of Glacier Bay. The lower and central areas were dominated by salmonids whereas the upper areas were characterized by a much greater diversity. Several key forage fish exist in the nearshore regions of Glacier Bay. These include schooling fish such as herring Clupea pallasi, capelin Mallotus villosus, and walleye pollck Theragra chalcogramma, as well as benthic species such as crescent gunnel Pholis laeta and Pacific snake prickleback Lumpenus sagitta.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Robards, Martin; Piatt, John; Drew, Gary
- Date of Issue
- 1999
- Publisher
- Alaska Biological Sciences Center, U.S. Geological Survey
- Units
- GLBA
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Aquatic Sciences, beach seine, benthic fish, Coastal, Fish, Forage Fish, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve AK, Icy Strait, Marine, Nearshore, Salmonid, schooling fish, seine samples