Injury to Larval Fish in Prince William Sound. Fish/Shellfish Study Number 19.211 EXXON VALDEZ Oil Spill State/Federal Natural Resoource Damage Assessment. Final 211 Report

摘要

Field studies were conducted in 1989 to determine spatial and temporal variation211u001eof finfish larvae in Prince William Sound in the months following the Exxon 211u001eValdez oil spill. This study contributes basic larval fish occurrence information 211u001efor Prince William Sound. Unfortunately, it is biased as a baseline because it 211u001erepresents the ecosystem following an oil spill. The patterns of distribution are 211u001einterpreted in the context of oceanographic patterns affecting transport of oil 211u001eand larvae. Temporal and spatial distribution and abundance patterns are shown 211u001efor the six most dominant taxa of larval fishes captured. Most larval fishes were 211u001ein the upper 50 m or the water column and either concentrated in the oiled 211u001ewestern portions of Prince William Sound or were transported through those areas 211u001eby the same processes that moved the oil. Appendices provide temporal, spatial 211u001eand geographic distribution and abundance of all fishes collected (44 species or 211u001especies groups) on a gross scale including all of Prince William Sound and 211u001eResurrection Bay.