Develop Web Page on Climate Variability and Fisheries
Current Status of Accomplishment or Milestone: The web page has been completed in a beta version presently being upgraded. More information will be added to the web site and it will be available for viewing by mid-April.
Background: Previously there was no unified presentation of the effects of climate variability of different time scales on fisheries. There are good web pages on the El Ni–o events and some on global climate change, but it is difficult to find material relating these phenomenons to fisheries and to each other. PFEL's many years of experience exploring the relationship of variations in climate to fisheries led us to develop such a site.
Purpose of Activity/Goal of Project: This web site will provide the public with easily understood, up to date information on how climate variability affects fisheries. It will provide background information and illustrations to help the public understand the components of climate and what is meant by climate variability. It will also include references to important journal articles and web sites on climate variability and fisheries.
Description of Accomplishment and Significant Results: We have developed a series of web pages that will provide information on an important topic in fisheries science, the influence of climate on fish populations and fisheries. In order to maintain and rebuild sustainable fisheries, we need to understand how the populations of some species are influenced by both short term and long term changes in the climate and adjust our estimates of optimal sustainable yield when conditions change. These web pages bring together information on the response of pelagic fish to El Ni–os, the differing response of salmon in Alaska and Oregon to decadal scale North Pacific warming, and theories of how global warming may affect our fisheries. It presents this information in a format the public can easily understand. These web pages may be seen through our home page http://www.pfeg.noaa.gov/research/climatemarine/.
Significance of Accomplishment (e.g., to the Center, to Management, and to NMFS Strategic plan Goals): This web page contributes to the first objective of the NOAA Fisheries Strategic Plan: Maintain healthy stocks important to commercial, recreational and subsistence fisheries.
Problems: None.
Key Contact: Janet Mason, (831) 648-9028; Janet.Mason@noaa.gov).