Winter Oceanographic Conditions in the Eastern Gulf of Alaska, January-February1986

摘要

In 1986, Eastern Gulf of Alaska oceanographic conditions in January-February (thebeginning of the Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) and sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) spawning period) were determined from 32 stations east of long. 140 deg W between lat. 56 deg N and lat. 58 deg N. A well-mixed surface layer characterized by temperatures near 6 deg C and salinities of 32.25-32.75 percent was present throughout most of the study area. A northward-flowing subsurface current was present along the continental slope at or below the pycnocline. The current was distinguished by weak thermal maxima from 6.5 deg to 7.0 deg C at 125-150 m. These core temperatures diminished from south to north. The eastern boundary of the current appeared to be the continental slope. The author hypothesizes that the subsurface current is the Haida Current whose surface manifestation was erased by the storm and terrestrial runoff conditions of the 1985-86 winter.