Spatial and temporal variability in juvenile Pacific herring, Clupea pallasi, growth in Prince William Sound Alaska

We examined the spatial and temporal variability of juvenile Pacific herrin g, Clupea pallasi, growth within Prince William Sound, Alaska. Pacific herr ing, ranging from post-larval to mature fish, were collected from four spat ially segregated bays between October 1995 and March 1998. Linear growth eq uations from each bay were similar. However, growth rates and wet weight-at -length, reflecting condition, of juvenile Pacific herring cohorts varied s easonally and annually. The short term spatial variability in juvenile Paci fic herring growth suggested that each bay was a unique nursery area. The p hysical and biological conditions within each bay appeared to dictate Pacif ic herring growth rate.