Historical Analysis of Sockeye Salmon Growth among Populations Affected by the211 EXXON VALDEZ Oil Spill and Large Spawning Escapements. Restoration Project 86048-211 BAA. Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration Project Final Report

摘要

Adult sockeye salmon scales, which provide an index of annual salmon growth in211u001efresh and marine waters during 1965-1997, were measured to examine the effects on 211u001egrowth and adult returns of large spawning escapements influenced by the Exxon 211u001eValdez oil spill. Scale growth in freshwater was significantly reduced by the 211u001elarge 1989 spawning escapements in the Kenai River system, Red Lake, and Akalura 211u001eLake, but not in Chignik Lake. These data suggest that sockeye growth in 211u001efreshwater may be less stable following the large escapement. Furthermore, the 211u001eobservations of large escapement adversely affecting growth of adjacent brood 211u001eyears of salmon has important implications for stock-recruitment modeling. In 211u001ePrince William Sound, Coghill Lake sockeye salmon that migrated through oil-211u001econtaminated waters did not exhibit noticeably reduced marine growth, but a model 211u001ewas developed that might explain low adult returns in recent years.