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McKeegan KA, Clayton K, Williams R, Ashe E, Reiss S, Mendez-Bye A, Janik VM, Goetz T, Zinkgraf M, Acevedo-Gutiérrez A. The effect of a startle-eliciting device on the foraging success of individual harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Sci Rep 2024; 14:3719. [PMID: 38355948 PMCID: PMC10866881 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54175-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Pinniped predation on commercially and ecologically important prey has been a source of conflict for centuries. In the Salish Sea, harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are suspected of impeding the recovery of culturally and ecologically critical Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). In Fall 2020, a novel deterrent called Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST) was deployed at Whatcom Creek to deter harbor seals from preying on fall runs of hatchery chum (O. keta) and Chinook (O. tshawytscha) salmon in Bellingham, Washington, USA. Field observations were conducted in 2020 to compare the presence and foraging success of individual harbor seals across sound exposure (TAST-on) and control (TAST-off) conditions. Observations conducted the previous (2019) and following (2021) years were used to compare the effects observed in 2020 to two control years. Using photo-identification, individual seals were associated with foraging successes across all 3 years of the study. Generalized linear mixed models showed a significant 45.6% reduction in the duration (min) individuals remained at the creek with TAST on, and a significant 43.8% reduction in the overall foraging success of individuals. However, the observed effect of TAST varied across individual seals. Seals that were observed regularly within one season were more likely to return the year after, regardless of TAST treatment. Generalized linear models showed interannual variation in the number of seals present and salmon consumed. However, the effect of TAST in 2020 was greater than the observed variation across years. Our analyses suggest TAST can be an effective tool for managing pinniped predation, although alternate strategies such as deploying TAST longer-term and using multi-unit setups to increase coverage could help strengthen its effects. Future studies should further examine the individual variability found in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A McKeegan
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA.
- Research and Recovery Program, Skagit River System Cooperative, P.O. Box 368, La Conner, WA, 98257-0368, USA.
| | - Kate Clayton
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA
| | - Rob Williams
- Oceans Initiative, 117 E Louisa St. #135, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Erin Ashe
- Oceans Initiative, 117 E Louisa St. #135, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Stephanie Reiss
- Oceans Initiative, 117 E Louisa St. #135, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | | | - Vincent M Janik
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Thomas Goetz
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Matthew Zinkgraf
- Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA
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Gomes DGE, Ruzicka JJ, Crozier LG, Huff DD, Phillips EM, Hernvann PY, Morgan CA, Brodeur RD, Zamon JE, Daly EA, Bizzarro JJ, Fisher JL, Auth TD. An updated end-to-end ecosystem model of the Northern California Current reflecting ecosystem changes due to recent marine heatwaves. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0280366. [PMID: 38241310 PMCID: PMC10798527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The Northern California Current is a highly productive marine upwelling ecosystem that is economically and ecologically important. It is home to both commercially harvested species and those that are federally listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Recently, there has been a global shift from single-species fisheries management to ecosystem-based fisheries management, which acknowledges that more complex dynamics can reverberate through a food web. Here, we have integrated new research into an end-to-end ecosystem model (i.e., physics to fisheries) using data from long-term ocean surveys, phytoplankton satellite imagery paired with a vertically generalized production model, a recently assembled diet database, fishery catch information, species distribution models, and existing literature. This spatially-explicit model includes 90 living and detrital functional groups ranging from phytoplankton, krill, and forage fish to salmon, seabirds, and marine mammals, and nine fisheries that occur off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. This model was updated from previous regional models to account for more recent changes in the Northern California Current (e.g., increases in market squid and some gelatinous zooplankton such as pyrosomes and salps), to expand the previous domain to increase the spatial resolution, to include data from previously unincorporated surveys, and to add improved characterization of endangered species, such as Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and southern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca). Our model is mass-balanced, ecologically plausible, without extinctions, and stable over 150-year simulations. Ammonium and nitrate availability, total primary production rates, and model-derived phytoplankton time series are within realistic ranges. As we move towards holistic ecosystem-based fisheries management, we must continue to openly and collaboratively integrate our disparate datasets and collective knowledge to solve the intricate problems we face. As a tool for future research, we provide the data and code to use our ecosystem model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan G. E. Gomes
- National Academy of Sciences NRC Research Associateship Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, United States of America
| | - James J. Ruzicka
- Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
| | - Lisa G. Crozier
- Fish Ecology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - David D. Huff
- Fish Ecology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Newport, OR, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth M. Phillips
- Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Pierre-Yves Hernvann
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Newport, OR, United States of America
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America
| | - Cheryl A. Morgan
- Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, United States of America
| | - Richard D. Brodeur
- Fish Ecology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Newport, OR, United States of America
| | - Jen E. Zamon
- Fish Ecology Division, Point Adams Research Station, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hammond, OR, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Daly
- Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, United States of America
| | - Joseph J. Bizzarro
- Fisheries Ecology Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America
- Fisheries Collaborative Program, University of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Fisher
- Fish Ecology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Newport, OR, United States of America
| | - Toby D. Auth
- Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Newport, OR, United States of America
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Lennox RJ, Dahlmo LS, Ford AT, Sortland LK, Vogel EF, Vollset KW. Predation research with electronic tagging. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Lennox
- Norwegian Inst. for Nature Research Trondheim Norway
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Bergen Norway
| | - Lotte S. Dahlmo
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Bergen Norway
- Dept of Biological Sciences, Univ. of Bergen Bergen Norway
| | - Adam T. Ford
- Univ. of British Columbia Okanagan Kelowna BC Canada
| | - Lene K. Sortland
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Bergen Norway
- Dept of Biological Sciences, Univ. of Bergen Bergen Norway
| | - Emma F. Vogel
- UiT − The Arctic Univ. of Norway, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics Tromsø Norway
| | - Knut Wiik Vollset
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Bergen Norway
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Hertz M, Jensen L, Pertoldi C, Aarestrup K, Thomsen S, Alstrup A, Asmus H, Madsen S, Svendsen J. Investigating fish migration, mortality, and physiology to improve conservation planning of anadromous salmonids: a case study on the endangered North Sea houting (Coregonus oxyrinchus). CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2019-0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding migratory behavior, mortality, and physiology is essential for conservation of many species, particularly anadromous fish. In this study, freshwater and marine migrations of the endangered salmonid North Sea houting (Coregonus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758)) were investigated using telemetry. Furthermore, physiological samples were collected from North Sea houting and from resident and anadromous populations of the closely related European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus (Linnaeus, 1758)) to compare hypo-osmotic tolerances. On average, North Sea houting spent 193 days at sea where the mortality was 36%. Most fish returned from sea in the autumn, and river entry correlated inversely with river temperature and positively with discharge. Fish spent an average of 49 days in the estuarine area. Artificial lakes negatively affected migration speeds. Migration speeds did not differ consistently between individuals (i.e., not a repeatable trait) but correlated positively with water temperature. Fish arrived at spawning areas in November. In the post-spawning state, Na+/K+-ATPase activities were elevated in North Sea houting and anadromous whitefish compared with resident whitefish, while osmolality was elevated only in North Sea houting. Our study provides important information for conservation planning related to the Habitat Directive of the European Union that lists the North Sea houting as critically endangered.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Hertz
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Section of Biology and Environmental Science, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - L.F. Jensen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Section of Biology and Environmental Science, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - C. Pertoldi
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Section of Biology and Environmental Science, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
- Aalborg Zoo, Mølleparkvej 63, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - K. Aarestrup
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Vejlsøvej 39, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - S.N. Thomsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Section of Biology and Environmental Science, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - A.K.O. Alstrup
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, 10C, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - H. Asmus
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Hafenstraße 43, D-25992 List, Sylt, Germany
| | - S.S. Madsen
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - J.C. Svendsen
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Jægersborg Alle 1, 2920, Denmark
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Steingass S, Horning M, Bishop AM. Space use of Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) from two haulout locations along the Oregon coast. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219484. [PMID: 31365532 PMCID: PMC6668786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are approximately 10,000-12,000 Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) inhabiting the Oregon coast, and unlike other species of pinnipeds in this region, are reliably present year-round. Despite this, and drastic rebounds in population since the enactment of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, limited data is available for the present period regarding their space use at sea, and within estuarine, riverine, or bay areas within the state. OBJECTIVE To examine site-based differences in space use for 24 adult Pacific harbor seals captured and outfitted with satellite transmitters at two predominant haulout sites on the Oregon Coast, USA. DESIGN We captured 24 adult harbor seals from two haulout sites on the Central Oregon coast between September 2014-16 and fitted them with external Wildlife Computers SPOT5 satellite transmitters to track movement. Using state-space modeled locations derived from satellite telemetry data, we evaluated spatial behavior of these animals using a correlated random walk model via R package crawl. Kernel density estimation was subsequently used to calculate home range and core area for each animal. Percent use of open ocean habitat versus use of estuaries, rivers and bays was quantified, as was an initial examination of presence within five newly-established marine reserves in Oregon. Examination of haulout site-related differences in spatial behavior were examined for seals captured in Netarts and Alsea Bays, Oregon and haul out behavior related to time of day, season, and tidal level was also investigated. RESULTS The average individual home range for seals was 364.47 ± 382.87 km2 with seals captured in Alsea bay demonstrating a significantly higher home range area than those captured in Netarts Bay. Alsea bay seals also tended to range farther from shore than Netarts Bay animals. The average calculated core area for seals encompassed on average 29.41 ± 29.23 km2 per animal, however the home range of one animal was so small, core area could not be calculated. Use of marine reserves was limited for animals in this study, representing less than 2% of locations with a majority occurring in Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve and North Marine Protected Area. Seals were more likely to haul out during low tides and periods of low light (dusk, night and dawn), and hauling out behavior increased in winter months. SIGNIFICANCE These findings demonstrate the first major documentation of space use of harbor seals in the state for nearly three decades, and lends itself to future comparison and formation of mechanistically-based hypotheses for behavior of a common marine mammal in the highly productive northern California Current System.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheanna Steingass
- Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Markus Horning
- Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, Alaska, United States of America
- Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Newport, Oregon, United States of America
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Arias-Del-Razo A, Schramm Y, Heckel G, Sáenz-Arroyo A, Hernández A, Vázquez L, Carrillo-Muñoz AI. Do marine reserves increase prey for California sea lions and Pacific harbor seals? PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218651. [PMID: 31220168 PMCID: PMC6586349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Community marine reserves are geographical areas closed to fishing activities, implemented and enforced by the same fishermen that fish around them. Their main objective is to recover commercial stocks of fish and invertebrates. While marine reserves have proven successful in many parts of the world, their success near important marine predator colonies, such as the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and the Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii), is yet to be analyzed. In response to the concerns expressed by local fishermen about the impact of the presence of pinnipeds on their communities’ marine reserves, we conducted underwater surveys around four islands in the Pacific west of the Baja California Peninsula: two without reserves (Todos Santos and San Roque); one with a recently established reserve (San Jeronimo); and, a fourth with reserves established eight years ago (Natividad). All these islands are subject to similar rates of exploitation by fishing cooperatives with exclusive rights. We estimated fish biomass and biodiversity in the seas around the islands, applying filters for potential California sea lion and harbor seal prey using known species from the literature. Generalized linear mixed models revealed that the age of the reserve has a significant positive effect on fish biomass, while the site (inside or outside of the reserve) did not, with a similar result found for the biomass of the prey of the California sea lion. Fish biodiversity was also higher around Natividad Island, while invertebrate biodiversity was higher around San Roque. These findings indicate that marine reserves increase overall fish diversity and biomass, despite the presence of top predators, even increasing the numbers of their potential prey. Community marine reserves may help to improve the resilience of marine mammals to climate-driven phenomena and maintain a healthy marine ecosystem for the benefit of both pinnipeds and fishermen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Arias-Del-Razo
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, San Andrés Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Yolanda Schramm
- Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Gisela Heckel
- Departamento de Biología de la Conservación, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrea Sáenz-Arroyo
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad San Cristóbal, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
| | | | | | - Aldo I. Carrillo-Muñoz
- Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Santa María Acuitlapilco, Tlaxcala
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Cortisol predicts migration timing and success in both Atlantic salmon and sea trout kelts. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2422. [PMID: 30787384 PMCID: PMC6382858 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39153-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Kelts – individuals of anadromous fish species which have successfully spawned and may return to sea to repeat the cycle – are perhaps the least studied life stage of iteroparous fish species. To date, our understanding of what makes them successful in their return migration to sea is limited. We investigated the relationship between three physiological parameters (baseline cortisol, baseline glucose and low molecular weight antioxidants) and the timing and success of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta) kelt migration. To do so, we combined blood samples obtained within 3 minutes of capture and acoustic telemetry to track 66 salmon and 72 sea trout as they migrated out of rivers, into fjords and out at sea. We show that baseline cortisol may be a good predictor of migration success. Individuals with high baseline cortisol levels exited the river earlier but were less likely to successfully reach the sea. Similar relationships were not observed with glucose or antioxidants. We provide the first evidence to support the role of physiological status in migration success in Atlantic salmon and sea trout kelts. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the relationship between physiology and fitness in wild animals. Further, we suggest that migration timing is a trade-off between stress and readiness to migrate.
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Schwarz D, Spitzer SM, Thomas AC, Kohnert CM, Keates TR, Acevedo‐Gutiérrez A. Large-scale molecular diet analysis in a generalist marine mammal reveals male preference for prey of conservation concern. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:9889-9905. [PMID: 30386584 PMCID: PMC6202700 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-specific diet information is important in the determination of predator impacts on prey populations. Unfortunately, the diet of males and females can be difficult to describe, particularly when they are marine predators. We combined two molecular techniques to describe haul-out use and prey preferences of male and female harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from Comox and Cowichan Bay (Canada) during 2012-2013. DNA metabarcoding quantified the diet proportions comprised of prey species in harbor seal scat, and qPCR determined the sex of the individual that deposited each scat. Using 287 female and 260 male samples, we compared the monthly sex ratio with GLMs and analyzed prey consumption relative to sex, season, site, and year with PERMANOVA. The sex ratio between monthly samples differed widely in both years (range = 12%-79% males) and showed different patterns at each haul-out site. Male and female diet differed across both years and sites: Females consumed a high proportion of demersal fish species while males consumed more salmonid species. Diet composition was related to both sex and season (PERMANOVA: R 2 = 27%, p < 0.001; R 2 = 24%, p < 0.001, respectively) and their interaction (PERMANOVA: R 2 = 11%, p < 0.001). Diet differences between males and females were consistent across site and year, suggesting fundamental foraging differences, including that males may have a larger impact on salmonids than females. Our novel combination of techniques allowed for both prey taxonomic and spatiotemporal resolution unprecedented in marine predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dietmar Schwarz
- Department of BiologyWestern Washington UniversityBellinghamWashington
| | - Sara M. Spitzer
- Department of BiologyWestern Washington UniversityBellinghamWashington
- Present address:
Illumina Inc.San DiegoCalifornia
| | - Austen C. Thomas
- Department of Zoology and Marine Mammal Research UnitInstitute for the Oceans and FisheriesUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Smith‐RootVancouverWashington
| | | | - Theresa R. Keates
- Department of BiologyWestern Washington UniversityBellinghamWashington
- Present address:
Department of Ocean SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSanta CruzCalifornia
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Fish consumption of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in north western Iceland assessed by DNA metabarcoding and morphological analysis. Polar Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-018-2354-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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10
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Trophic overlap between expanding and contracting fish predators in a range margin undergoing change. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7895. [PMID: 29785034 PMCID: PMC5962582 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25745-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change is predicted to cause a freshening of the Baltic Sea, facilitating range expansions of freshwater species and contractions of marine. Resident marine flounders (Platichthys flesus) and expansive freshwater roach (Rutilus rutilus) are dominant consumers in the Baltic Sea sublittoral where they occur in partial sympatry. By comparing patterns of resource use by flounders and roach along a declining resource gradient of blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus) our aim was to explore predator functional responses and the degree of trophic overlap. Understanding the nature of density-dependent prey acquisition has important implications for predicting population dynamics of both predators and their shared prey. Results showed a highly specialized diet for both species, high reliance on blue mussels throughout the range, similar prey size preference and high trophic overlap. Highest overlap occurred where blue mussels were abundant but overlap was also high where they were scarce. Our results highlight the importance of a single food item - the blue mussel - for both species, likely promoting high population size and range expansion of roach. Findings also suggest that range expansion of roach may have a top-down structuring force on mussels that differ in severity and location from that originating from resident flounders.
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Kaimoto T, Hirazawa T, Masubuchi T, Morohoshi A, Katahira H, Kobayashi M. Host characteristics and infection level of an intestinal parasite Corynosoma strumosum (Acanthocephala) in the Kuril harbor seal of Erimo Cape, Hokkaido, Japan. Parasitol Int 2018; 67:237-244. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Moore ME, Berejikian BA. Population, habitat, and marine location effects on early marine survival and behavior of Puget Sound steelhead smolts. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Moore
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences; Northwest Fisheries Science Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 7305 Beach Drive East Port Orchard Washington 98366 USA
| | - Barry A. Berejikian
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences; Northwest Fisheries Science Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 7305 Beach Drive East Port Orchard Washington 98366 USA
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Steingass S, Horning M. Individual-based energetic model suggests bottom up mechanisms for the impact of coastal hypoxia on Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) foraging behavior. J Theor Biol 2017; 416:190-198. [PMID: 28082128 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Wind-driven coastal hypoxia represents an environmental stressor that has the potential to drive redistribution of gilled marine organisms, and thereby indirectly affect the foraging characteristics of air-breathing upper trophic-level predators. We used a conceptual individual-based model to simulate effects of coastal hypoxia on the spatial foraging behavior and efficiency of a marine mammal, the Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) on the Oregon coast. Habitat compression of fish was simulated at varying intensities of hypoxia. Modeled hypoxia affected up to 80% of the water column and half of prey species' horizontal habitat. Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus), Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), and English sole (Parophrys vetulus) were selected as representative harbor seal prey species. Model outputs most affected by coastal hypoxia were seal travel distance to foraging sites, time spent at depth during foraging dives, and daily energy balance. For larger seals, English sole was the most optimal prey during normoxia, however during moderate to severe hypoxia Pacific sand lance was the most beneficial prey. For smaller seals, Pacific herring was the most efficient prey species during normoxia, but sand lance became more efficient as hypoxia increased. Sand lance represented the highest increase in foraging efficiency during severe hypoxic events for all seals. Results suggest that during increasing hypoxia, smaller adult harbor seals could benefit by shifting from foraging on larger neritic schooling fishes to foraging closer inshore on less energetically-dense forage fish. Larger adult seals may benefit by shifting from foraging on groundfish to smaller, schooling neritic fishes as hypoxia increases. The model suggests a mechanism by which hypoxia may result in increased foraging efficiency of Pacific harbor seals, and therefore increased rates of predation on coastal fishes on the continental shelf during hypoxic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheanna Steingass
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR, USA.
| | - Markus Horning
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR, USA; Alaska SeaLife Center, 301 Railway Ave, Seward, AK 99644, USA
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Steingass S. Dietary Composition of Four Stocks of Pacific Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) In the Northern California Current Large Marine Ecosystem As Synthesized From Historical Data, 1931–2013. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1898/nwn16-05.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sheanna Steingass
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR, USA
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Adams J, Kaplan IC, Chasco B, Marshall KN, Acevedo-Gutiérrez A, Ward EJ. A century of Chinook salmon consumption by marine mammal predators in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. ECOL INFORM 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Moore M, Berejikian BA, Tezak EP. A floating bridge disrupts seaward migration and increases mortality of steelhead smolts in Hood Canal, Washington state. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73427. [PMID: 24039937 PMCID: PMC3764116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Habitat modifications resulting from human transportation and power-generation infrastructure (e.g., roads, dams, bridges) can impede movement and alter natural migration patterns of aquatic animal populations, which may negatively affect survival and population viability. Full or partial barriers are especially problematic for migratory species whose life histories hinge on habitat connectivity. Methodology/Principal Findings The Hood Canal Bridge, a floating structure spanning the northern outlet of Hood Canal in Puget Sound, Washington, extends 3.6 meters underwater and forms a partial barrier for steelhead migrating from Hood Canal to the Pacific Ocean. We used acoustic telemetry to monitor migration behavior and mortality of steelhead smolts passing four receiver arrays and several single receivers within the Hood Canal, Puget Sound, and Strait of Juan de Fuca. Twenty-seven mortality events were detected within the vicinity of the Hood Canal Bridge, while only one mortality was recorded on the other 325 receivers deployed throughout the study area. Migrating steelhead smolts were detected at the Hood Canal Bridge array with greater frequency, on more receivers, and for longer durations than smolts migrating past three comparably configured arrays. Longer migration times and paths are likely to result in a higher density of smolts near the bridge in relation to other sites along the migration route, possibly inducing an aggregative predator response to steelhead smolts. Conclusions/Significance This study provides strong evidence of substantial migration interference and increased mortality risk associated with the Hood Canal Bridge, and may partially explain low early marine survival rates observed in Hood Canal steelhead populations. Understanding where habitat modifications indirectly increase predation pressures on threatened populations helps inform potential approaches to mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Moore
- Manchester Research Laboratory, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, Manchester, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Barry A. Berejikian
- Manchester Research Laboratory, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, Manchester, Washington, United States of America
| | - Eugene P. Tezak
- Manchester Research Laboratory, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, Manchester, Washington, United States of America
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Van Daele M, Robbins C, Semmens B, Ward E, Van Daele L, Leacock W. Salmon consumption by Kodiak brown bears (Ursus arctos middendorffi) with ecosystem management implications. CAN J ZOOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2012-0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The ecological role of large predators in North America continues to spark heated public debate. Although brown bears (Ursus arctos L., 1758) and the salmon (genus Oncorhynchus Suckley, 1861) they feed on have declined in many areas, the Kodiak archipelago is famous for large brown bears and abundant salmon. Salmon have generally been managed for maximum sustained yield in a fisheries sense, but those levels may be well below what is necessary for maximum ecosystem productivity. Consequently, we used stable isotopes and mercury accumulated in hair to estimate intake of salmon by Kodiak brown bears (Ursus arctos middendorffi Merriam, 1896). Salmon intake increased from subadult males (592 ± 325 kg·bear−1·year−1) to adult males (2788 ± 1929 kg·bear−1·year−1) and from subadult females (566 ± 360 kg·bear−1·year−1) to adult females (1364 ± 1261 kg·bear−1·year−1). Intake within each group increased 62% ± 23% as salmon escapement increased from ∼1 500 to ∼14 000 kg·bear−1·year−1. The estimated population of 2300 subadult and adult bears consumed 3.77 ± 0.16 million kg of salmon annually, a mass equal to ∼6% of the combined escapement and commercial harvest (57.6 million kg). Although bears consume a small portion of the total mass of adult salmon, perpetuation of dense populations of large bears requires ecosystem-based management of the meat resources and environments that produce such bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.B. Van Daele
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - C.T. Robbins
- School of the Environment and School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - B.X. Semmens
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
| | - E.J. Ward
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
| | - L.J. Van Daele
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 211 Mission Road, Kodiak, AK 99615, USA
| | - W.B. Leacock
- Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, 1390 Buskin River Road, Kodiak, AK 99615, USA
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Harvey C, Good T, Pearson S. Top–down influence of resident and overwintering Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in a model marine ecosystem. CAN J ZOOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1139/z2012-059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Conservation of predators presents challenges when predators affect prey populations that provide ecosystem services. Near Puget Sound, resident and overwintering populations of Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus (L., 1766)) have expanded in recent decades. We modeled the potential impact of Bald Eagles on marine food-web structure. Bald Eagles caused trophic cascade dynamics through mid-level predators (seabirds) to lower trophic levels (fishes, benthic invertebrates), particularly when seabirds were more abundant in eagle diets. Resident Bald Eagles affected food-web structure more than overwintering eagles, despite the latters’ greater abundance. Predator avoidance behavior by nearshore diving birds and herbivorous birds exacerbated trophic cascade effects, but only in a narrow range of species. Variability in the number of overwintering Bald Eagles, which come to the area to feed on salmon carcasses (primarily chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum in Artedi, 1792)), had little effect on the food web. Our results indicate that Bald Eagles are important to marine food-web structure, owing to their high consumption rates and the high consumption rates of their seabird prey, but uncertainty about eagle diets limits our full understanding of their impact. In systems where Bald Eagles affect large seabird breeding colonies, their role in food-web structure is likely greater.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.J. Harvey
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
| | - T.P. Good
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
| | - S.F. Pearson
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Science Division, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501, USA
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Peterson SH, Lance MM, Jeffries SJ, Acevedo-Gutiérrez A. Long distance movements and disjunct spatial use of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the inland waters of the Pacific Northwest. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39046. [PMID: 22723925 PMCID: PMC3377613 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Worldwide, adult harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) typically limit their movements and activity to <50 km from their primary haul-out site. As a result, the ecological impact of harbor seals is viewed as limited to relatively small spatial scales. Harbor seals in the Pacific Northwest are believed to remain <30 km from their primary haul-out site, one of several contributing factors to the current stock designation. However, movement patterns within the region are not well understood because previous studies have used radio-telemetry, which has range limitations. Our objective was to use satellite-telemetry to determine the regional spatial scale of movements. Methodology/Principal Findings Satellite tags were deployed on 20 adult seals (n=16 males and 4 females) from two rocky reefs and a mudflat-bay during April–May 2007. Standard filtering algorithms were used to remove outliers, resulting in an average (± SD) of 693 (±377) locations per seal over 110 (±32) days. A particle filter was implemented to interpolate locations temporally and decrease erroneous locations on land. Minimum over-water distances were calculated between filtered locations and each seal's capture site to show movement of seals over time relative to their capture site, and we estimated utilization distributions from kernel density analysis to reflect spatial use. Eight males moved >100 km from their capture site at least once, two of which traveled round trip to and from the Pacific coast, a total distance >400 km. Disjunct spatial use patterns observed provide new insight into general harbor seal behavior. Conclusions/Significance Long-distance movements and disjunct spatial use of adult harbor seals have not been reported for the study region and are rare worldwide in such a large proportion of tagged individuals. Thus, the ecological influence of individual seals may reach farther than previously assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Peterson
- Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA.
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Ward EJ, Levin PS, Lance MM, Jeffries SJ, Acevedo-Gutiérrez A. Integrating diet and movement data to identify hot spots of predation risk and areas of conservation concern for endangered species. Conserv Lett 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-263x.2011.00210.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Smith SG, Swanson DW, Chiappone M, Miller SL, Ault JS. Probability sampling of stony coral populations in the Florida Keys. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2011; 183:121-38. [PMID: 21547375 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-1912-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2010] [Accepted: 01/27/2011] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Principles of probability survey design were applied to guide large-scale sampling of populations of stony corals and associated benthic taxa in the Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem. The survey employed a two-stage stratified random sampling design that partitioned the 251-km(2) domain by reef habitat types, geographic regions, and management zones. Estimates of the coefficient of variation (ratio of standard error to the mean) for stony coral population density and abundance ranged from 7% to 12% for four of six principal species. These levels of survey precision are among the highest reported for comparable surveys of marine species. Relatively precise estimates were also obtained for octocoral density, sponge frequency of occurrence, and benthic cover of algae and invertebrates. Probabilistic survey design techniques provided a robust framework for estimating population-level metrics and optimizing sampling efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven G Smith
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA.
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Graham IM, Harris RN, Matejusová I, Middlemas SJ. Do ‘rogue’ seals exist? Implications for seal conservation in the UK. Anim Conserv 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2011.00469.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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