We are using elliptic Fourier analysis to determine the patterns of variation in morphology of dorsal fin shape, saddle patch shape, and eye patch shape of resident, transient, and offshore killer whales in the northeastern Pacific ocean. We will also be looking for evidence of genetic variation underlying these patterns in southern resident killer whales.
Morphology and heritability of morphology by ecotype, sex (if available), age (if available), and parentage (if available).

Conduct genetic analyses of groundfish in the northeastern Pacific, with a focus on population genetics and genomics of rockfishes and sablefish.
Genetic data for groundfish.

Sampling juvenile salmon and associated fishes in open waters of the lower Columbia River estuary. Field work includes bi-weekly sampling during the spring outmigration (Apr-June), and monthly sampling throughout the summer and fall. We use a purse seine to sample open water habitats.

This project uses genetic parentage analysis to estimate the relative reproductive success of hatchery and wild steelhead spawning in the Wenatchee River, WA. The project collected data from 2008-2011; in FY16 the project is analyzing data and preparing reports and papers for publication.
Genotypes and phenotypes of steelhead from the Wenatchee River.

The California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (CCIEA) is a joint project between staff at the NWFSC, SWFSC, NMML, ONMS, and WCRO to provide managers and policy makers with integrated science products in support of ecosystem-based management of marine resources. Key products include: conceptual models; ecosystem indicator suites, status and trend reports, and related analyses; risk assessments; and analyses of management scenarios in ecosystem models.

This research provides a quantitative means of determining which communities in West Coast coastal counties are most connected to fishing, both commercial and recreational fishing, and allows for a quantitative approach to concepts like community “engagement” and “dependence” on fishing. The project employs a methodology that incorporates a diverse range of secondary data and proxy measures of human community attributes with the aim of considering multiple social and ecological community dimensions simultaneously.

This project evaluates data from coded wire tagging with that from parental based tagging to identify stock of origin for Chinook salmon landed in Washington state commercial troll fishery.

This research was initiated by the Puget Sound Steelhead Technical Recovery Team to develop viability criteria for threatened Puget Sound steelhead and to support recovery planning of this species. It involves conventional population viability analysis (PVA) combined with decision support systems such as Bayesian Networks.

The purpose of this project is to develop spatially discrete end-to-end models of the California Current LME, linking oceanography, biogeochemistry, food web interactions, habitat, fisheries, economics, monitoring, and management into a common model framework. This framework allows for thought experiments, including evaluation of alternate management strategies, identifying robust indicators, and assessing relative importance of different ecosystem drivers in regulating important processes.

The purpose of this project is to develop spatially discrete end-to-end models of the California Current LME, linking oceanography, biogeochemistry, food web interactions, habitat, fisheries, economics, monitoring, and management into a common model framework. This framework allows for thought experiments, including evaluation of alternate management strategies, identifying robust indicators, and assessing relative importance of different ecosystem drivers in regulating important processes.