Alaska Fisheries Science Center Quarterly Report : April, May, June, 1993 Size Decreases in Adult Chum Salmon

Long-term studies of age and growth of chum salmon (Oncoryhynchus keta) conducted by members of the Auke Bay Laboratory (ABL) over the past 20 years show significant declines, particularly during the last decade, in the size of returning adult chum salmon. Long-term observations of size-at-maturity of salmon can be considered indicators of the ocean environment, reflecting the physical and biological characteristics of the sea experienced by the species over time. In addition density-dependent factors such as competition for food by the same species or competing species can also be thought to influence size-at-maturity. 1993 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) AFSC (Alaska Fisheries Science Center) Submitted Public Domain 1930