Davidson Seamount Taxonomic Guide

Davidson Seamount is one of the largest seamounts in U.S. waters and the first to be characterized as a “seamount.” In 2002 and 2006, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) led two multi-institutional expeditions to characterize the geology and natural history of Davidson Seamount. Results from these expeditions to Davidson Seamount are adding to the scientific knowledge of seamounts, including the discovery of new species. In November 2008, the MBNMS boundary was expanded to include the Davidson Seamount. In addition, a management plan for Davidson Seamount was created to develop resource protection, education, and research strategies for the area. The purpose of this taxonomic guide is to create an inventory of benthic and mid-water organisms observed at the Davidson Seamount to provide a baseline taxonomic characterization. At least 237 taxa were observed and are presented in this guide; including 15 new or undescribed species (8 sponges, 3 corals, 1 ctenophore, 1 nudibranch, 1 polychaete, 1 tunicate) recently or currently being described by taxonomic experts. This is the first taxonomic guide to Davidson Seamount, and is intended to be revised in the future as we learn more about the seamount and the organisms that live there. (PDF has 145 pages.

Spatiotemporal variation of benthic communities on weathervane scallop (Patinopecten caurinus) beds with socioeconomic considerations of the commercial fishery off the coast of Alaska

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2014.Weathervane scallops (Patinopecten caurinus [Gould, 1850]) off Alaska are commercially harvested in areas that contain commercially important groundfish and crabs. Using observer bycatch data collected during 1996-2012, we analyzed spatial and temporal patterns in community composition on weathervane scallop beds and explored whether observed patterns related to environmental variables (sediment, depth, bottom water temperature, and freshwater discharge) and anthropogenic variables (trawling and dredging effort). Significant (P<0.05) differences in community structure were observed at the scale of state fishery registration districts, as well as among individual scallop beds. Spatial differences were most strongly correlated with sediment, depth, and dredging effort. Sequential changes over time were also detected, as was a split between 1996-1999 and 2000-2012. Temporal changes were weakly yet significantly correlated with freshwater discharge and dredging effort. We also conducted a socioeconomic assessment of the commercial weathervane scallop fishery, structured within the framework of a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. Specifically, we focused on five categories: social, technological, economic, environmental, and regulatory. Whereas the data-poor status of the stock appears to be the fishery's biggest weakness, the largest strengths are conservative management, industry self-regulation, and the fishery's small footprint. Impending threats include stock declines, effects of dredging, and changes in the structure of the fishery. These analyses provide a baseline of benthic community composition on weathervane scallop beds, as well as socioeconomic information to contribute to the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the Alaska scallop fishery.General Introduction -- Chapter 1: Spatiotemporal variation of benthic communities associated with weathervane scallop (Patinopecten caurinus) beds off Alaska -- Chapter 2: Socioeconomic considerations of the commercial weathervane scallop fishery off Alaska using a SWOT analysis -- General Conclusions