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PacFIN
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Pacific Fisheries Information Network.
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Pacific salmon
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The five species of Pacific salmon are Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), chum salmon (O. keta), coho salmon (O. kisutch), pink salmon (O. gorbuscha), and sockeye salmon (O. nerka). Also in the genus Oncorhynchus is the steelhead (O. mykiss), an anadromous salmonid.
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PAH
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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. One of more than 100 chemicals that are produced by the combustion of wood, tar, and other materials. PAHs can persist in the environment from days to years, depending on their form and local conditions; some are carcinogenic.
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paired fins
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The pectoral and pelvic fins of a fish.
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parr
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Juvenile salmon with large dark spots on their sides for camouflage. Salmon parr usually live in freshwater for 1 to 2 years.
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pathogens
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Disease producing organisms.
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pathology
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The scientific study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences.
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PCB
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Polychlorinated biphenyl. A group of pollutants that accumulates in animal tissue.
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PCHB
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Pollution Control Hearings Board (Washington State).
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PDF
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Probability density function. A description of the probability that a variable takes a specified value.
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pectoral fins
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The farthest forward or uppermost of the paired fins.
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pelagic
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Refers to plants and animals that live in the water column or in the open waters of the ocean rather than the ocean floor. Life is found throughout the pelagic zone, however it is more concentrated at shallower depths. Pelagic organisms are further divided into plankton and nekton. Compare benthic (epipelagic: living in the upper or photic layer between 0 and 200 m; mesopelagic: living between 200 and 1,000 meters).
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pelvic fins
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The paired fins located beneath or behind the pectoral fins.
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pesticides
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Chemical products used to reduce or eliminate unwanted organisms, regarded as pests. Pesticides are often used on gardens, agricultural land, roadsides, and golf courses to eliminate species considered undesirable or damaging.
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PFMC
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Pacific Fishery Management Council.
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phage, bacteriophage
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A virus that invades and destroys (consumes) host bacteria.
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phagocyte
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A cell that engulfs or eats waste material or invading organisms. White blood cells are an example.
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pharyngeal arches
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In fish, the pair of curved bones located in the throat that bear the throat teeth.
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phenotype
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The physical appearance of an individual that is the result of that individual's genotype and the interaction of the genotype with the environment during development. Hence, individuals with the same genotype may have different phenotypes in different environments. Compare genotype.
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phosphoresence
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See bioluminescence.
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photic zone
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The surface layer of the ocean that is penetrated by sunlight. The photic zone is the layer of the ocean that has been explored the most as it is relatively easy to access with conventional diving equipment. In the photic zone, phytoplankton flourish and it is where the fish, marine mammals, and marine invertebrates most familiar to people are found. Light can penetrate down to approximately 200 m which marks the end of the photic zone. Also referred to as the sunlight zone or the epipelagic zone. See epipelagic zone.
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photosynthesis
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A chemical process whereby plants and algae use the sun's energy to make sugars (organic compounds) from carbon dioxide and water (inorganic compounds). See also autotroph and primary production; compare chemosynthesis.
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physiology
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The biological study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.
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phytoplankton
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Literally "wandering plant." The plant and algae component of plankton and the primary producers of almost all marine food webs. Compare zooplankton.
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PIFSC
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Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. One of six regional research centers of the National Marine Fisheries Service. See also NMFS.
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Pink salmon
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Species Oncorhynchus gorbuscha. See also Pacific salmon.
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pinniped
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Of or belonging to the Pinnipedia, a suborder of carnivorous aquatic mammals that includes seals, walruses, and similar animals having finlike flippers as organs of locomotion.
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PIT tag
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Passive integrated transponder tag.
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plankton
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Pelagic organisms that float through the water column, not attached to any substrate and unable to move against the currents and tides. Plankton can be further divided into phytoplankton and zooplankton, meroplankton and holoplankton. Compare nekton.
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PNWFHPC
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Pacific Northwest Fish Health Protection Committee.
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population
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The number of individuals of a particular species that live within a defined area.
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predator
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An animal that hunts and kills other animals for food.
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prey
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An animal that is used by other animals for food.
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primary consumer
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A heterotrophic, herbivorous organism that feeds directly on a primary producer. Urchins are a primary consumer as they feed on kelp. See also heterotroph and food chain; compare secondary consumer.
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primary production
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Synthesis of organic matter by plants, which is the main source of energy and nutrition for other consumers in the ecosystem (e.g., herbivores). See also chemosynthesis and photosynthesis.
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protein
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A large class of nitrogenous organic molecules constructed from amino acids. They are essential to the functioning of all living tissue, and include large subclasses of molecules such as enzymes and hormones.
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PSEP
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Puget Sound Estuary Protocols.
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PSGA
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Puget Sound Gillnetters Association.
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PSMFC
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Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
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PSP
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Paralytic shellfish poison.
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PSWQAT
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Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team.
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