Unraveling the Mysteries of Salmon Survival
February 19, 2019 —
An international team of scientists is braving the cold, rough waters of the Gulf of Alaska aboard a Russian research vessel on a mission to collect data about some of the biggest mysteries of Pacific salmon: Where do they go at sea? What do they eat when they're out there? And what determines whether they live or die? The data should help the team provide more accurate forecasts of salmon returns to west coast rivers.
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Male Killer Whales Hunt More Often Than Females
February 5, 2019 —
A new report shows that male killer whales dive for fish more often than females -- likely due to their greater metabolic needs. The study also shows, however, that not every hunt by a killer whale is successful. Researchers used temporary suction-cup tags to collect data from 21 whales over a four-year period, and will analyze the data to learn more about how vessel noise and traffic might affect the whales' foraging habits.
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Marine Waters in Puget Sound Returning to Normal
December 19, 2018 —
A new report from the Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program's Marine Waters Workgroup finds that the unusually warm water temperatures that prevailed in Puget Sound since 2014 finally cooled off in 2017. Although water temperatures recovered, the populations of many marine animals throughout the food web are still lower than usual in the region. In addition, the region experienced both the wettest spring and driest summer ever recorded in 2017.
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Are Salmon Losing Their Sense of Smell?
December 18, 2018 —
Salmon depend on their incredible sense of smell to help them hunt, avoid danger, and find their way home after years at sea. New research from NWFSC and the University of Washington indicates that, as the oceans continue to absorb carbon from the atmosphere, this may affect salmon's ability to process smells. In particular, the study showed that they become less afraid of smells that normally signify danger, making them more vulnerable to predators.
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