This project seeks to develop and apply an assessment of shellfish growing area (SGA) vulnerability to closures caused by watershed- and marine-derived pathogens. Using empirical data and quantitative models, we will examine the impacts of alternative watershed management strategies, nearshore protection, and climate on the vulnerability of three SGA. Outputs include the following: 1) Maps of the spatial distribution of terrestrial and marine-derived sources of nutrients and pathogens. 2) Validated model estimates of transport of nutrients and pathogens to SGA under future climate and restoration strategies. 3) Assessments of the fate of nutrients and pathogens in terms of changes in ecosystem service values provided by SGA--filtration, food web support, and socio-economic impacts due to harvest closures. Outcomes include improvements in the ability of shellfish growers and managers to classify vulnerability of SGA according to risk of future closures, and to prioritize strategies for improving delivery of shellfish-related ecosystem services and values. Nitrogen nutrient data for three shellfish growing areas in the Puget Sound.

To evaluate effects of human influence on the health of Puget Sound's pelagic ecosystems, we propose a sampling program across multiple oceanographic basins measuring key attributes of the pelagic foodweb. We will quantify seasonal abundance and composition of pelagic biota from lower trophic levels (e.g., bacteria and phytoplankton) to middle trophic levels (e.g., zooplankton, small pelagic fishes, and jellyfish), as well as assess the individual condition of forage fish and juvenile salmon. The goals of this program: 1) Determine how foodweb endpoints vary across natural and anthropogenic gradients. 2) Determine how these characteristics vary across Puget Sound. 3) Evaluate a number of biological metrics for monitoring ecosystem health. These outputs will improve our basic understanding of pelagic ecology in Puget Sound, better define what comprises a healthy pelagic ecosystem in Puget Sound, determine foodweb-relevant indicators that are sensitive to human influence, and help prioritize regional protection and restoration efforts. Work is conducted by NOAA personnel and contractors in collaboration with tribal partners (Squaxin, Port Gamble/S'Klallam), undergraduate research interns, and citizen volunteers. Filemaker Pro database containing fish data collection.

This work uses white muscle tissues collected from sixgill and sevengill sharks to characterize the diet of each species. Tissues from prey species have also been prepared in order to initialize the models. We used mixing models to determine the probabilities of each prey species being in the diet of these top predators. These data will be used to predict which prey groups are impacted by these species, and then used in conjunction with patterns of daily, seasonal, and annual movement patterns to examine the variation in predatory impact across space and time among the various prey groups. Shark tissue stable isotope signatures from Northeast Pacific coastal habitats.

To evaluate effects of human influence on the health of Puget Sound's pelagic ecosystems, we propose a sampling program across multiple oceanographic basins measuring key attributes of the pelagic foodweb. We will quantify seasonal abundance and composition of pelagic biota from lower trophic levels (e.g., bacteria and phytoplankton) to middle trophic levels (e.g., zooplankton, small pelagic fishes, and jellyfish), as well as assess the individual condition of forage fish and juvenile salmon. The goals of this program: 1) Determine how foodweb endpoints vary across natural and anthropogenic gradients. 2) Determine how these characteristics vary across Puget Sound. 3) Evaluate a number of biological metrics for monitoring ecosystem health. These outputs will improve our basic understanding of pelagic ecology in Puget Sound, better define what comprises a healthy pelagic ecosystem in Puget Sound, determine foodweb-relevant indicators that are sensitive to human influence, and help prioritize regional protection and restoration efforts. Work is conducted by NOAA personnel and contractors in collaboration with tribal partners (Squaxin, Port Gamble/S'Klallam), undergraduate research interns, and citizen volunteers. Filemaker Pro database containing microbial abundance, heterotrophic production, chlorophyll a, and inorganic nutrients.

Sampled marshes and ponds along two transects within the intermediate and brackish marsh zones of Breton Sound, Louisiana, from May 7-11, 2001. Sampling followed several planned releases of freshwater from the Caernarvon diversion structure during the winter of 2000 and spring of 2001 as part of a larger study to examine the ecological effect of pulsed freshwater releases on the ecosystem.

The data set consists of two products. The first product are maps that represent fish average densities collected by active hydroacoustic survey technique in the water column along a transect for each monthly sample. These data are also compiled by location by year. The fish density data is plotted over a bathymetric map. The second product are Excel spreadsheets with a summary of the integration of fish echoes over a sampling period that is used to produce the first product by location.

Particulate matter removal by shellfish was quantified in several geographic locations, across several years. Data include filter and shellfish tissue weights.

This dataset contains isotope results of stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) and radicoarbon (F14C) analyses of muscle tissue from fish collected in the nearshore Beaufort Sea, Alaska in summers 2017-2019.

Scientists collected acoustic fisheries data in mid-water depths approximately 30 to 1000 meters. Fishery acoustics data will be used to characterize broad-scale fish abundance, biomass, and utilization patterns, as well as to locate and document fish spawning aggregations.

This dataset includes lab data for fish, fish diets, and stable isotopes for fish tissue, vegetation, and invertebrates collected during daylight hours in the Rodeo Lagoon and Lake in Golden Gate National Recreation Area at the Pacific Coast, USA during 2016 and 2017. This data release includes all animal taxa, and isotope values included in the analysis.