Like a fish out of water: Seasonal variation in spawning habitats and spatio-temporal genetic adaptation of a climate-vulnerable species

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Lorenz Hauser (University of Washington)

CO-INVESTIGATORS: Phillip Dionne (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife), Todd Seamons (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife), Ronel Nel (University of Washington)

Healthy coastal ecosystems deliver valuable goods and services and are thus a top priority for natural resource management agencies throughout the Salish Sea. Foundational forage fish species, such as Surf Smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus), are crucial for the functioning of healthy ecosystems by occupying a central position in coastal food webs. The abundance of Surf Smelt in Central and South Puget Sound has declined 10-fold over the past 40 years, though there is still a sizable commercial and recreations fishery. Exact factors causing present and future declines are in urgent need of investigation to maintain sustainable fisheries and a healthy coastal ecosystem.

The overall goal of this project is to educate several target groups about physical and biological habitat requirements of summer and winter spawning Surf Smelt in the Salish Sea and the Washington coast. Specific objectives are to: 1) determine spatial and temporal genetic population structure and identify genomic signatures of selection; 2) compare physical characteristics of beaches used for spawning and those of beaches not used by Surf Smelt; 3) educate two cohorts of UW Marine Biology students in marine ecological research, data interpretation and science communication and 4) produce and apply outreach and engagement material for recreational fishers, property owners, and tribal high schools.