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Environmental Physiology in the Pacific Northwest

Science to aid in the production and recovery of salmon, improve marine aquaculture, and strengthen our understanding of environmental influences on fisheries.

Adam tagging juvenile sablefish croppedcopy.jpg

Our program studies how cells, tissues, organs, and systems in fish and shellfish develop, integrate with one another, and interact with the environment.

We evaluate how factors in both natural and captive environments influence fish and shellfish survival, life history, growth, reproduction, and olfactory function using traditional and cutting-edge techniques. 

How Our Research is Used

The results of our research are used in order to:

  • Recommend ways to improve the quality of hatchery-produced salmon and reduce their impacts on wild salmon.
  • Contribute to models for predictions of adult salmon returns.
  • Improve the sustainability and efficiency of marine finfish and shellfish aquaculture.
  • Develop physiological “biomarkers” that can provide insights regarding fish condition or that of the environment/ecosystem in which they live.
  • Determine the effects of ocean acidification on finfish and shellfish species.

Research Areas

Contact

Adam Luckenbach, Environmental Physiology Program Manager

 

Last updated by Northwest Fisheries Science Center on August 14, 2020