A coordinated research plan for estuarine and ocean research on Pacific salmon

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is charged with restoring and protecting anadromous Pacific salmon stocks in all habitats of U.S. waters, including their period of residence in estuarine and oceanic waters. Recen t studies have implicated the estuarine and coastal phase of the salmon lif e cycle as being of equal importance to the freshwater phase in determining production. Evaluation of the freshwater phase of salmon has yielded a bet ter understanding of the factors limiting production in this environment; h owever, a comparable understanding in the marine environment is lacking. Cu rrently, some marine salmon research is being conducted at various NMFS lab s on the West Coast, but there has been little attempt to coordinate activi ties among the different regions. In response, we propose a comprehensive p lan to address ocean and estuarine survival of salmon by identifying resear ch needs and suggesting ways to meet these needs. We recommend that NMFS re search focus on (1) distribution and movement patterns of salmon in marine waters, (2) health and condition of hatchery and wild salmon, (3) trophic d ynamics of salmon, and (4) large-scale effects of the atmosphere and ocean.