Surf Smelt
Hypomesus pretiosus
Surf Smelt are an abundant forage fish found throughout the Salish Sea, with their range extending out around the Pacific Coast from Alaska to California.
Spawning Behavior
Surf Smelt spawn on beaches in the upper part of the intertidal zone. Their eggs are deposited in the sediment on the beach, where they remain for 2 weeks before hatching. There are two peaks in spawning activity, one in the summer and one in the winter.
Under Threat
As sea level rises and Puget Sound shorelines become more developed, Surf Smelt spawning habitat faces an increasing risk of disappearing
Genomics
Using Next Generation Sequencing, we are doing the first whole genome analysis of Surf Smelt population structure and local adaptation. These analyses will allow us to uncover how the species is distributed throughout their range, and if the fish spawning in different seasons are distinct populations.
Beach Ecology
The other component of this project will be to identify characteristics of productive smelt spawning beaches. We will compare historically productive and unproductive beaches across seasons to determine what influences surf smelt spawning behavior and beach choice. This will give us a better understanding of the threat to the species posed by climate change and shoreline modification.
responsive design
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
SMART BUILDER
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
super features
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
drag and drop
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.