Growth is an integrated physiological response encompassing external environmental conditions (food quality and quantity, temperature, water quality) and internal physiological status (health, stress, reproductive state).
The growth of juvenile fishes often correlates with survival. Measures of growth can predict recruitment and may reveal changes/shifts in the ecosystem and habitat in which fish live.
Research
Our research in this area aims to:
- Establish and validate endocrine indices (“biomarkers”) of growth.
- Assess growth indices as ecosystem indicators and measures of habitat quality in fishes.
The body size of juvenile sockeye salmon being measured.
Photo: NOAA Fisheries
Current Projects
- Growth of juvenile salmon in the Northern California Current.
- Growth of juvenile salmon in the lower Columbia River and Estuary.
- Sexually dimorphic growth in sablefish and its impacts on aquaculture
Collaborators
- Brian Burke and Regan McNatt, NWFSC Fish Ecology Division
- Laurie Weitkamp, NWFSC Conservation Biology Division
- Cheryl Morgan, Oregon State University
Contact
Dr. Adam Luckenbach
Program Manager
