Nearshore Fish and Habitat Survey of Northern Bristol Bay, Alaska

A 2009 survey of nearshore fish, invertebrates, and habitat in northern Bristol Bay, Alaska, conducted by the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Sampling from July 26 to August 8 used beach seines, bottom beam trawls, and a surface pair trawl to collect species data from shoreline to 17-meter depths. The dataset includes species counts, weights, lengths, voucher specimens, photographs, and concurrent environmental measurements from conductivity-temperature-depth recorders.

Use Cases

• Analyzing species composition and abundance across different bays (Nushagak, Kulukak, Togiak) using catch enumeration data.
• Correlating fish presence with habitat variables recorded at beach seine sites according to the Nearshore Fish Atlas of Alaska methodology.
• Studying environmental influences on fish distribution using concurrent temperature and salinity data from CTD recorders deployed on gear and moorings.
• Validating species identification through comparisons with preserved voucher specimens and photographic records.
• Assessing size structure of fish populations using length measurements taken for most species.

Strengths

• Dataset includes multiple data types: biological (species, count, weight, length), physical (CTD readings), and visual (photographs) for most species.
• Sampling covered a defined two-week period (July 26-August 8, 2009) and multiple geographic areas within northern Bristol Bay.
• Methodology followed established protocols, including the Nearshore Fish Atlas of Alaska for habitat variables and preservation of voucher specimens for ID verification.
• Environmental context is provided with CTD data collected on gear and from temporary moorings to study tidal fluctuations.

Limitations

• Exact row count, column names, and dataset size are unknown from all provided sources.
• Sampling was impacted by weather, with two full days lost and high winds influencing location choices, potentially creating spatial bias.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates exist between platforms (2009-08 31 and 2026-03-05), creating uncertainty about metadata maintenance.

Provenance

Source

NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Resource Ecology and Fisheries Management division (NCEI Accession 0144625).

Collection Method

Field survey using chartered vessel F/V Willow and a skiff, employing beach seines, bottom beam trawls, and a surface pair trawl. Catches were sorted, enumerated, weighed, and measured; specimens were preserved or frozen; habitat and CTD data were recorded.

Time Range

2009-07-26 to 2009-08-08

Freshness

2026-03-05 23:58:51.412334

Geography

Northern Bristol Bay, Alaska, specifically Nushagak Bay, Nushagak Peninsula, Kulukak Bay, Nunavachak Bay, Ungalikthluk Bay, and Togiak Bay.