Analysis of Benthic Communities on Weathervane Scallop Beds in Shelikof Strait, Technical Summary.

摘要

Weathervane scallops have been fished commercially in Alaska since 1967. One area containing prominent commercial weathervane scallop beds is Shelikof Strait, which consistently provides some of the highest levels of scallop harvest in the state. Large numbers of scallops are extracted annually from beds found between Cape Douglas and Hallo Bay, with dredging also extending into Cook Inlet. All vessels catching and processing scallops off Alaska are required to carry onboard observers, with the exception of those fishing in the Cook Inlet registration area. Data available from these observers date back to 1996, and contain daily information on the complete dredge haul composition, including scallops, benthic invertebrates (e.g., sea stars, anemones, brittle stars, crabs, and octopus), and fishes (e.g., skates, groundfish, and flatfishes). These observations provide a rich database on the biogeography and biodiversity of benthic communities on the continental shelf off Alaska, and contribute towards advancing our knowledge of essential fish habitat (EFH). An EFH definition is required for weathervane scallops by the U.S. Sustainable Fisheries Act, but remains poorly defined. Through quantitative analyses of these benthic communities, we can investigate detailed information on the habitat characteristics and community composition found on scallop beds.