Fishes
Fishes of the Salish Sea
How many fish species use the Salish Sea? In which habitat types can you find certain species?
Knowing the answers to questions as basic as this are fundamental to restoring an ecosystem. Yet currently we don’t have a scientific list of the fish species of the Salish Sea. This also was true for the birds and mammals of the Salish Sea until SeaDoc recently published that list. But stay tuned, we will soon also have a list of fishes thanks to a very generous private donation.
Why is this so important? With this list, scientists will be able to document the occurrence of new species and the disappearance of existing ones. The list will be a key baseline for Salish Sea recovery. At the same time it will help scientists select particular species as indicators of ecosystem health, and it will provide a basis for identifying the mechanisms responsible for marine fish declines.
Not too bad for a humble list. Thanks to our forward-thinking donor for understanding the importance of this effort and making it possible.
Photo: Grunt Sculpin by J. Nichols
Marine species mortality in derelict fishing nets in Puget Sound, WA and the cost/benefits of derelict net removal
One derelict fishing net: 3500 animals killed
A recent study by the Northwest Straits Initiative has shown that kill rates for derelict fishing gear are much higher than was understood. Animals caught in the nets decompose in as little as ten days. One of the monitored nets is now estimated to have killed some 2,300 fish and 1,200 marine birds in the 15 years it's been in the water.
SeaDoc Society Regional Director Joe Gaydos is quoted in the article. Gaydos is also a member of the Northwest Straits Commission.
Read the full story in the San Juan Journal online, or download the full report of the study, "Rates of Marine Species Mortality Caused by Derelict Fishing Nets in Puget Sound, Washington"
Recreational SCUBA Divers' Contributions to Science
Can private citizens really help conduct underwater research that will benefit the recovery of threatened or endangered species? Yes! For over three years, the SeaDoc Society has been training recreational SCUBA divers to help count and monitor marine fish and invertebrates in the Pacific Northwest.
Species of Concern
How do we judge the health of our marine environment?
Fish and wildlife populations are the ultimate indicators for the health of the entire Puget Sound Georgia Basin marine ecosystem. The recent biennial SeaDoc Society Species of Concern report shows that the number of species listed as threatened or endangered is increasing and unless efforts are stepped up, the “silent slow motion crisis” will continue to out pace the ability to stabilize and restore populations.
