Species profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Pacific Northwest)

Technical Report · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5650386

Lassuy, D R ^[1]

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1. Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (USA). Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife

Species profiles are literature summaries of the taxonomy, morphology, distribution, life history, ecological role, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. They are prepared to assist coastal managers, engineers, and biologists in the gathering of information pertinent to coastal development activities. The English sole is a major contributor to Pacific Northwest trawl fisheries and is used extensively in the filet-of-sole trade. Spawning is usually most intense during winter, but occurs in all seasons. Temperature conditions before spawning and during the egg and larvae stages are critical to subsequent year-class strength. Hatching success is apparently greatest at salinities and temperatures of 25-28 ppt and 8-9 {degree}C. Postlarvae settle in open-coast and estuarine areas. Densities of rearing juveniles are highest in lower estuaries. Growth may be inhibited at temperatures above 17.5{degree}C. Emigration from nursery areas to deeper, sand-bottomed offshore areas occurs during late summer and fall. Juveniles and adults feed on a wide variety of benthic invertebrates. Female English sole grow faster and mature later (3-4 years) than males (2-3 years). Females are more susceptible to capture in the multi-species trawl fisheries that typify Pacific Northwest ground fishing. A better understanding of the relation between oceanic conditions and early life-history stages, the avoidance of estuarine thermal pollution, and the protection of remaining coastal nursery areas are important to the maintenance of English sole abundance. 56 refs., 3 figs.

• Research Organization: Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (USA). Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife; Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS (USA); National Fish and Wildlife Lab., Washington, DC (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOI
• OSTI ID: 5650386
• Report Number(s): TR-EL-82-4/82(11.101); BR--89(11.101); ON: TI90000016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BASELINE ECOLOGY
COASTAL WATERS
ECOLOGY
ESTUARIES
FEEDING
FISHERIES
FISHES
GROWTH
HABITAT
LIFE CYCLE
MIGRATION
PACIFIC OCEAN
POPULATION DYNAMICS
PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS
REPRODUCTION
SEAS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES