Impact of Oil Spilled from the EXXON VALDEZ on Survival and Growth of Dolly Varden and Cutthroat Trout in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Fish/Shellfish Study Number 5 (Restoration Study Number 90). EXXON VALDEZ Oil Spill State/Federal Natural Resource Damage Assessment Final Report

摘要

Five emigrating populations of Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout were intercepted in 1989-1991 during seaward migration to Prince William Sound following the Exxon Valdez oil spill; two into the spill area, three into non-spill areas. Study populations were comprised of tagged adults and subadults. Survival rates were estimated with log-linear models of capture histories of tagged fish. We used a two-stage simulation based on bootstrapping and Monte Carlo techniques to compare average survival rates in study populations that were and were not associated with spilled oil. Growth and survival rates were significantly lower in study populations associated with spilled oil. Results are consistent with the occurrence of a deleterious impact on growth and survival of emigrating species, although unable to be confirmed as results emanated from observation, not experiment.