Spatial Dynamics, Recruitment Trends and Sustainability of Puget Sound Geoducks
Ray Hilborn, David Armstrong and Jose Orensanz, School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, University of Washington; Ana Parma, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cienticas y Tecnicas, Argentina; Bob Sizemore, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
R/F-146
In Washington and British Columbia, geoduck clam harvests average several million pounds per year, making this the most valuable fisheries on the West Coast. Recent concerns about the sustainability of the geoduck fishery have prompted state and tribal scientists and managers to explore alternative management options. However, decision-making has been hampered by lack of information on geoduck population dynamics. For this project, scientists will analyze the physical and biotic processes affecting the dynamics of geoduck populations and evaluate alternative management approaches that take into account the spatial heterogeneity in the dynamics of the population and the fishery.
For more information, please contact Ray Hilborn, rayh@u.washington.edu.