Pollock Conservation Cooperative Research Center
2002 Awarded Research Projects
Shallow water nearshore fish assemblages around Steller sea lion haulouts near Kodiak, Alaska
Sue Hills, Kate Wynne, Brenda Norcross, Brenda Konar
Award: $6,000
Estimated completion: May 30, 2003
Abstract
Steller sea lions (SSL, Eumetopias jubatus) from the endangered western Alaska stock eat a variety of prey-- some of commercial value others not. A common link among them is that these known prey species spawn, grow, or spend their entire lives in shallow and subtidal waters, including species whose commercial harvest is being restricted to reduce potential competition with SSL. These shallow nearshore waters, their algal cover, and fish/prey inhabitants may be of particular importance to SSL pups that use the area immediately adjacent to haulouts extensively in their first year while developing their diving and foraging abilities. Despite their potential importance to young sea lions, prey availability and other ecological attributes ofnearshore SSL habitat have not been well described. One reason is that these areas are generally too shallow and rocky for standard large-vessel acoustic and trawl prey surveys. In this study SCUBA-based surveys will be used to quantify juvenile and adult fish species present in nearshore waters adjacent to two sea lion haul-outs. Seasonal prey availability and biological and physical parameters recorded at these sites will be used to describe nearshore habitat used by young sea lions for shelter, prey, and training. These will be compared to results of similar surveys conducted at two nearby sites not used by Steller sea lions as haulouts as a means ofassessing key components oftraditionallyused haulout habitat. SCUBA surveys will be coordinated and scheduled to coincide with and augment ongoing research on Steller sea lion diets, foraging patterns, and offshore prey availability.
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