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Seeking Consilience: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western Social Science Contributions to Orca Conservation Knowledge. J Nat Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2023.126364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
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Hahn JL, Van Alstyne KL, Gaydos JK, Wallis LK, West JE, Hollenhorst SJ, Ylitalo GM, Poppenga RH, Bolton JL, McBride DE, Sofield RM. Chemical contaminant levels in edible seaweeds of the Salish Sea and implications for their consumption. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269269. [PMID: 36149869 PMCID: PMC9506624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite growing interest in edible seaweeds, there is limited information on seaweed chemical contaminant levels in the Salish Sea. Without this knowledge, health-based consumption advisories can not be determined for consumers that include Tribes and First Nations, Asian and Pacific Islander community members, and recreational harvesters. We measured contaminant concentrations in edible seaweeds (Fucus distichus, F. spiralis, and Nereocystis luetkeana) from 43 locations in the Salish Sea. Metals were analyzed in all samples, and 94 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (i.e. 40 PCBs, 15 PBDEs, 17 PCDD/Fs, and 22 organochlorine pesticides) and 51 PAHs were analyzed in Fucus spp. We compared concentrations of contaminants to human health-based screening levels calculated from the USEPA and to international limits. We then worked with six focal contaminants that either exceeded screening levels or international limits (Cd, total Hg, Pb, benzo[a]pyrene [BaP], and PCBs) or are of regional interest (total As). USEPA cancer-based screening levels were exceeded in 30 samples for the PCBs and two samples for BaP. Cadmium concentrations did not exceed the USEPA noncancer-based screening level but did exceed international limits at all sites. Lead exceeded international limits at three sites. Because there are no screening levels for total Hg and total As, and to be conservative, we made comparisons to methyl Hg and inorganic As screening levels. All samples were below the methyl Hg and above the inorganic As screening levels. Without knowledge of the As speciation, we cannot assess the health risk associated with the As. While seaweed was the focus, we did not consider contaminant exposure from consuming other foods. Other chemicals, such as contaminants of emerging concern (e.g., PFAS, pharmaceuticals and personal care products), should also be considered. Additionally, although we focused on toxicological aspects, there are cultural and health benefits of seaweed use that may affect consumer choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Hahn
- Department of Environmental Studies, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, United States of America
| | - Kathryn L. Van Alstyne
- Shannon Point Marine Center, Western Washington University, Anacortes, Washington, United States of America
| | - Joseph K. Gaydos
- The SeaDoc Society, Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center - Orcas Island Office, University of California Davis, Eastsound, Washington, United States of America
| | - Lindsay K. Wallis
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, United States of America
| | - James E. West
- Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, Washington, United States of America
| | - Steven J. Hollenhorst
- Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, United States of America
| | - Gina M. Ylitalo
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Robert H. Poppenga
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Davis Branch, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Jennie L. Bolton
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - David E. McBride
- Washington Department of Health Office of Environmental Health Assessments Olympia, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ruth M. Sofield
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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van der Knaap I, Ashe E, Hannay D, Bergman AG, Nielsen KA, Lo CF, Williams R. Behavioural responses of wild Pacific salmon and herring to boat noise. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113257. [PMID: 34933218 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There is growing concern about impacts of ship and small boat noise on marine wildlife. Few studies have quantified impacts of anthropogenic noise on ecologically, economically, and culturally important fish. We conducted open net pen experiments to measure Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) and juvenile salmon (pink, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, and chum, Oncorhynchus keta) behavioural response to noise generated by three boats travelling at different speeds. Dose-response curves for herring and salmon estimated 50% probability of eliciting a response at broadband received levels of 123 and 140 dB (re 1 μPa), respectively. Composite responses (yes/no behaviour change) were evaluated. Both genera spent more time exhibiting behaviours consistent with anti-predator response during boat passings. Repeated elicitation of vigilance or anti-predatory responses could result in increased energy expenditure or decreased foraging. These experiments form an important step toward assessing population-level consequences of noise, and its ecological costs and benefits to predators and prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge van der Knaap
- Leiden University, Institute of Biology, Sylvius, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Erin Ashe
- Oceans Initiative, 117 E Louisa St #135, Seattle, WA 98102, USA.
| | - Dave Hannay
- JASCO Applied Sciences, 2305-4464 Markham Street, Victoria, BC V8Z 7X8, Canada.
| | | | | | - Catherine F Lo
- Oceans Initiative, 117 E Louisa St #135, Seattle, WA 98102, USA.
| | - Rob Williams
- Oceans Initiative, 117 E Louisa St #135, Seattle, WA 98102, USA.
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Williams R, Ashe E, Broadhurst G, Jasny M, Tuytel D, Venton M, Ragen T. Destroying and Restoring Critical Habitats of Endangered Killer Whales. Bioscience 2021; 71:1117-1120. [PMID: 34733116 PMCID: PMC8560306 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biab085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Endangered species legislation in the United States and Canada aims to prevent extinction of species, in part by designating and protecting critical habitats essential to ensure survival and recovery. These strict laws prohibit adverse modification or destruction of critical habitat, respectively. Defining thresholds for such effects is challenging, especially for wholly aquatic taxa. Destruction of critical habitat (e.g., prey reduction and ocean noise) threatens the survival and recovery of the 75 members of the endangered southern resident killer whale population found in transboundary (Canada–United States) Pacific waters. The population's dynamics are now driven largely by the cumulative effects of prey limitation (e.g., the endangered Chinook salmon), anthropogenic noise and disturbance (e.g., reducing prey accessibility), and toxic contaminants, which are all forms of habitat degradation. It is difficult to define a single threshold beyond which habitat degradation becomes destruction, but multiple lines of evidence suggest that line may have been crossed already.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Williams
- Oceans Initiative, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Erin Ashe
- Oceans Initiative, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Ginny Broadhurst
- Salish Sea Institute, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, United States
| | - Michael Jasny
- Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | | | - Tim Ragen
- US Marine Mammal Commission, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
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Williams R, Veirs S, Veirs V, Ashe E, Mastick N. Approaches to reduce noise from ships operating in important killer whale habitats. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 139:459-469. [PMID: 29983160 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Shipping is key to global trade, but is also a dominant source of anthropogenic noise in the ocean. Chronic noise from ships can affect acoustic quality of important whale habitats. Noise from ships has been identified as one of three main stressors-in addition to contaminants, and lack of Chinook salmon prey-in the recovery of the endangered southern resident killer whale (SRKW) population. Managers recognize existing noise levels as a threat to the acoustical integrity of SRKW critical habitat. There is an urgent need to identify practical ways to reduce ocean noise given projected increases in shipping in the SRKW's summertime critical habitat in the Salish Sea. We reviewed the literature to provide a qualitative description of mitigation approaches. We use an existing ship source level dataset to quantify how some mitigation approaches could readily reduce noise levels by 3-10 dB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Williams
- Oceans Initiative, USA; Oceans Research and Conservation Association, Canada.
| | | | | | - Erin Ashe
- Oceans Initiative, USA; Oceans Research and Conservation Association, Canada.
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Lacy RC, Williams R, Ashe E, Balcomb Iii KC, Brent LJN, Clark CW, Croft DP, Giles DA, MacDuffee M, Paquet PC. Evaluating anthropogenic threats to endangered killer whales to inform effective recovery plans. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14119. [PMID: 29074942 PMCID: PMC5658391 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14471-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding cumulative effects of multiple threats is key to guiding effective management to conserve endangered species. The critically endangered, Southern Resident killer whale population of the northeastern Pacific Ocean provides a data-rich case to explore anthropogenic threats on population viability. Primary threats include: limitation of preferred prey, Chinook salmon; anthropogenic noise and disturbance, which reduce foraging efficiency; and high levels of stored contaminants, including PCBs. We constructed a population viability analysis to explore possible demographic trajectories and the relative importance of anthropogenic stressors. The population is fragile, with no growth projected under current conditions, and decline expected if new or increased threats are imposed. Improvements in fecundity and calf survival are needed to reach a conservation objective of 2.3% annual population growth. Prey limitation is the most important factor affecting population growth. However, to meet recovery targets through prey management alone, Chinook abundance would have to be sustained near the highest levels since the 1970s. The most optimistic mitigation of noise and contaminants would make the difference between a declining and increasing population, but would be insufficient to reach recovery targets. Reducing acoustic disturbance by 50% combined with increasing Chinook by 15% would allow the population to reach 2.3% growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C Lacy
- Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA.
| | | | - Erin Ashe
- Oceans Initiative, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | | | - Lauren J N Brent
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QG, UK
| | | | - Darren P Croft
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QG, UK
| | | | - Misty MacDuffee
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Sidney, BC V8L 3Y3, Canada
| | - Paul C Paquet
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Sidney, BC V8L 3Y3, Canada.,University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
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