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Sea Temperatures and the Availability of Albacore off the Coasts of Oregon and Washington
Author(s) -
Johnson James H.
Publication year - 1962
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1962)91[269:statao]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - albacore , environmental science , thunnus , oceanography , sea surface temperature , fishery , anomaly (physics) , tuna , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , geology , physics , condensed matter physics
Wide variations exist in landings of albacore (Thunnus germo) in Oregon and Washington. In 1944, Oregon and Washington landings reached 34 million pounds, but dropped to 0.6 million ponnds a decade later. Variations in landings may be a result of fluctuations in availability. Distribution of albacore along the North American coast is known to be influenced by sea temperatures. Although weather conditions and economic factors are reflected in Oregon‐Washington landing statistics, it may be that annual variations in sea surface temperatures are also affecting the success of the fishery by varying availability to the fishermen. Relationship between sea surface temperatures and landings was investigated for the years 1947‐60. In years of above‐normal temperatures, landings were, in general, significantly greater than in years of below‐normal temperatures. Whereas warm water did not insure a good fishery, widespread cold water was detrimental to success of the fishery. The data suggest that in June, if the sea temperature anomaly is large enough, it is possible to predict whether or not sea temperatures will be favorable for albacore at normal time of commencement of the fishery in mid‐July.