Gulf of Alaska | Lower Trophic Levels
Development of a community monitoring project for ecosystem health in Anton Larsen Bay Presenter: Joellen Lottsfeldt , joellenlottsfeldt@gmail.com, Alaska Coastal Observations and Research ALISA ABOOKIRE , alaskacor@gmail.com, Alaska Coastal Observations and Research Ben Laurel , ben.laurel@noaa.gov, NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center Anton Larsen Bay (ALB), located on the northwest coast of Kodiak Island, is representative of many coastal regions in the northern Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Communication with residents on ALB indicated concerns with disappearing subsistence species such as Pacific cod ( Gadus macrocephalus ), accelerated eutrophication, and emerging harmful algal blooms (HABS). Anton Larsen Bay serves as a nursery bay for juvenile Pacific cod and other ground fish. Twice yearly Pacific cod surveys, conducted over the past fifteen years, noted diminished numbers following the marine heatwave of 2014-2016 in the northern GOA (the Blob). Our understanding of climate induced changes to seasonal dynamics and phenology can benefit from consistent ecosystem monitoring. The residents of ALB are uniquely positioned to gather year-round data and samples on larval supply and prey availability that can fill in missing pieces of the first-year dynamics of Pacific cod and other important marine species. We developed a year-long monitoring program in partnership with Anton Larsen Bay Advocates (ALBA: a coastal community engaged in environmental stewardship), Alaska Coastal Observations and Research (ACOR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA). The goal was to establish monitoring sites for monthly sampling of zooplankton, invertebrates and phytoplankton, the collection of eutrophication data, and the monitoring of a mooring buoy with stratified continuous data loggers (Hobos). We employed bongo nets, benthic pumps, and light traps to ensure the capture of key taxa and to develop a suite of best practices for future collection. Volunteers on ALB have assisted in our program development and collection efforts. The samples were processed in the lab for relative abundance and diversity of organisms in key taxonomic groups. We are well positioned to conduct a next phase effort using light traps and bongo nets as our primary collection methods. This poster describes our sampling methods and preliminary results on the diversity and density of our first-year sampling of phytoplankton, zooplankton, ichthyoplankton, and meroplankton.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 129
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