International Year of the Salmon Expedition helps IOF researchers map North Pacific food webs
For scientists in the IOF’s Pelagic Ecosystems Lab, the trip represents a chance to trace the outline of North Pacific food webs, in which salmon play a central role as both predator and prey.
UBC scientists sail the high seas for salmon
The third International Year of the Salmon Pan-Pacific Winter High Seas Expedition will continue to answer questions about a crucial salmon life stage that is poorly understood
Scientists to monitor site
Scientists want to monitor the seals’ growth, body conditions, age and sex-composition, and breeding potential, to ensure that this vulnerable species continues to escape extinction.Photo: Andrew Trites
Another established resting site
Now another established resting or “haul-out” site has been found on El Fallarón de San Ignacio Island on the eastern side of the Gulf of California. Photo: Jorge Paul Orduño García
Only one breeding location
There is only breeding location for these seals on Guadalupe Island, in the Pacific Ocean, with another established haul-out nearby on the San Benito Islands. Photo: Jorge Paul Orduño García
“Eared” seals
Dark brown to grayish-black, Guadalupe fur seals are members of the ‘eared seal’ family (Otariidae), and have visible earflaps (pinnae). Photo credit: Luis M Burciaga
Artisan fishers near El Fallarón de San Ignacio Island
El Fallarón de San Ignacio Island on the eastern side of the Gulf of California, is also an important artisan fisheries site, and researchers want to monitor the area closely so that no conflict occurs. Photo credit: Photo: Jorge Paul Orduño García
Sexual dimorphism in Guadalupe fur seals
Sexual dimorphism – males being larger than females – in Guadalupe fur seals. Photo credit: Luis M Burciaga
Guadalupe fur seal
Hunted nearly to extinction for their fur, these seals have increased in number since the 1950s. Photo credit: Luis M Burciaga
World Ocean Day – Dr. Gabriel Reygondeau
Asking countries to carry an equal share of the load may be tidy from a legislative perspective, but it doesn’t do much for biodiversity