(PLEASE NOTE: These web pages are for archival purposes only and are no longer maintained. For current information on this topic at the AFSC visit the Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment program. )

Controlled temperature tank used in chum feeding experiments.

Scientists examine their catch.

The Ocean Carrying Capacity Program is investigating how salmon function mechanically and physiologically given specific biophysical conditions, and applying this information to quantify effects of environmental variability on population-level performance by employing individual based modeling techniques. Pacific salmon are currently the focus of our research because of our ability to accurately identify specific stocks and year classes, the availability of robust abundance and survival records, and commercial and cultural importance.

Laboratory experiments designed to quantify temperature and body size dependence on juvenile chum salmon maximum consumption rates are being performed to develop size- and species-specific parameters for bioenergetics modeling applications

Juvenile pink and chum salmon feeding behavior and foraging success is dependent on prey and consumer size. Functional response models are being developed from laboratory experiments across a suite of zooplankton prey, and are being applied to zooplankton prey densities measured in the ocean to quantify foraging conditions at discrete locations for out migrating salmon.

Immature Chinook, chum, and sockeye salmon are collected in a live-box at sea where electronic archival tags that record time, date, and temperature are attached to below their dorsal fins. A proportion of the tags are eventually collected by fishermen and returned to the laboratory.

Contact:
Jamal Moss
Auke Bay Laboratories
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries

Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute
17109 Pt Lena Loop Rd
Juneau AK 99801
(907) 789-6609
Jamal.Moss@noaa.gov

Supporting Research

• Moss, J.H., and D. A. Beauchamp. 2007. Functional response of juvenile pink and chum salmon: effects of consumer size and two types of prey. Journal of Fish Biology 70: 1-13.
  
  
• Moss, J.H., D.A. Beauchamp, A.D. Cross, E.V. Farley, J.H. Helle, and K.W. Myers. 2007. Spatial patterns in consumption demand and growth potential of juvenile pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) in the Gulf of Alaska. North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission Technical Report 7: 35-36.
  
  
• Moss, J.H., D.A. Beauchamp, A.D. Cross, K.W. Myers, E.V. Farley, Jr., J.M. Murphy, and J.H. Helle. 2005. Higher marine survival associated with faster growth for pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134:1313-1322.
  
  
• Armstrong, J.L., J.L. Boldt, A.D. Cross, J.H. Moss, N.D. Davis, K.W. Myers, R.V. Walker, D.A. Beauchamp, and L.J. Haldorson. 2005. Distribution, Size and Interannual, Seasonal and Diel Food Habits of the Northern Gulf of Alaska Juvenile Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). Deep-Sea Research II 52(1-2): 247-265.
  
  
• Cross, A.D., D.A. Beauchamp, J.L. Armstrong, M. Blikshteyn, J.L. Boldt, N.D. Davis, L.J. Haldorson, J.H. Moss, K.W. Myers and R.V. Walker. 2005. Consumption demand of juvenile pink salmon in Prince William Sound and the coastal Gulf of Alaska in relation to prey biomass. Deep Sea Research II 52(1-2): 347-370.
  

See the publications and posters databases for additional listings.