AFSC/ABL: Southeast Coastal Monitoring Survey (SECM)-juvenile salmon and associated epipelagic ichthyofauna in the marine waters of Southeast Alaska

SECM research was initiated in the spring of 1997, just prior to the onset of a strong El Nio event, and has continued annually. SECM sampling occurs around Icy Strait (58N, 136W) in the northern region and have been sustained for 18 years. This is a principal migration corridor for salmon that transit dynamic tidal and oceanographic features to offshore waters as juveniles and return in subsequent years as adults. SECM researchers have compiled a multi-year time series of biophysical data associated with juvenile salmon culled from monthly sampling intervals in May, June, July, and August. Juvenile salmon and ecologically-related species are sampled with a surface trawl and associated oceanographic measurements are taken. This time series includes data on: Temperature and salinity profiles, Surface nutrients and chlorophyll, Zooplankton (upper 20-m and integrated), Size, abundance, and origin of salmon
Potential predators of juvenile salmon, Some of these biophysical data are being used to forecast pink salmon returns to Southeast Alaska and to evaluate recent trends in commercial salmon harvest and ocean survival within the region. These analyses also explore the impact of large-scale, climate-driven processes on salmon year-class strength.