NOAA'S Estuarine Living Marine Resources Program Distribution and Abundance of Fishes and Invertebrates in West Coast Estuaries Volume II: Species Life History Summaries August 1991 U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service Distribution andAbundance of Fishes and Invertebrates in West Coast Estuaries Volume II: Species Life History Summaries Project Team Robert L. Emmett and Susan A. Hinton Point Adams Biological Field Station Coastal Zone and Estuarine Studies Division Northwest Fisheries Science Center National Marine Fisheries Service Hammond, OR 97121 Steven L. Stone and Mark E. Monaco Strategic Environmental Assessments Division Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment National Ocean Service Silver Spring, MD 20910 ELMR Report Number 8 August 1991 Reprinted with minor revisions, August 1 994 This report should be cited as: Emmett, R.L., S.L. Stone, S.A. Hinton, and M.E. Monaco. 1991. Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in west coast estuaries, Volume II: Species life history summaries. ELMR Rep. No.8. NOAA/NOS Strategic Environmental Asessments Division, Rockville, MD, 329 p Contents Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 Rationale ....... ............ ...... . ....................................................................................... .. .... ............ ........ .... 1 Data Collection and Organization ....................................................................................................... 2 Selection of Estuaries .. .. .. ... .. .. . . . .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... . .. .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .... ... .. ... .. .. .. . .. ... .. . . . .. . 2 Selection of Species . .. .. . . . .. .. ... ... . . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. ... .. .. . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. .. .. . .. .. 3 Data Sheets . .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... . . . .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. . .. .. .. ... .. .... ... ... .. . . . .. .. 3 Data Verification..................................................................................................................................... 6 Data Content and Quality .................................................................................................................... 6 Analysis of Data Content and Quality .. .. .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... ..... .. .. ..... ..... .. ........ .. .. ... .. . ...... ..... ... .. .. . . . . 6 Species Summaries ............................................................................................................................. 10 Life History Tables.................................................................................................................................. 10 Concluding Comments ........................................................................................................................ 10 Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................................. 1 0 Literature Cited..................................................................................................................................... 11 Index to Species Life History Summaries .......................................................................................... 13 Life History Summaries blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) ............................................................................................................... 14 Pacific oyster ( Crassostrea gigas) .. .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. ... .. .. . .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .... .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. 20 horseneck gaper ( Tresus capax) .. .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. . .. .. . . .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. ... .. . .. .. .. 26 Pacific gaper ( Tresus nuttallit) ..... .. ... .. . .... .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ............ .......... .. ... .. .. ....... .. ... . .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. .. .... 30 California jackknife clam (Tage/us californianus) .............................................................................. 34 Pacific littleneck clam (Protothaca staminea) .................................................................................... 38 Manila clam ( Venerupis japonica) .......... .. ..... .. .......................................... .. .. .................... ............ .... 44 softshell (Mya arenaria) ..................................................................................................................... 50 geoduck (Panopea abrupta) .............................................................................................................. 56 bay shrimp ( Crangon franciscorum) .. .. . .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. . .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . .. .. . . 62 Dungeness crab (Cancer magistery ... .. .. ... ..... .... .. .. . ....... ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... . . .. . .. .. ... . .. . ... .. . . 68 leopard shark ( Triakis semifasciata) .. .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. . .. .. . .. .. . . 78 green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. ... .. ..... .. .. . .. . .. .. .. . .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . . .. . .. . 82 white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) .. .. .. ... .. .. . .. .. ..... .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. .... .. .. .. .. ... .. .. . .. .. . .. ... .. .. .. . . . .. .. . . 86 American shad (Aiosa sapidissima) . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. ... .. .. . .. .. ... .. .. . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. . . .... .. . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .... .. . .. .. . . 90 Pacific herring ( Clupea pa/Jast) ......................................................................................................... 94 deep body anchovy (Anchoa compressa) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . ...... ... .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . . ... .. . .. .. . . ... .. . .. 10 0 slough anchovy (Anchoa delicatissima) ... .. .. ..... ... ..... .. .. . .. .. .... ... ... .. . .. .. .. ... .. . .. . ... . .. .. .. ..... ... .. .. ... .. ... .. . 104 northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) ............................................................................................. 108 cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkt) .. .. .. . .... .. . .. .. .. .. . .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . 114 pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) .. .. .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. ........ .. .. .. ............... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... . . .. . .. . 120 chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) ....... ............. .. .. ..... .. ... . .. .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... ....... . . 128 coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... .. . .. .. ... .. ... .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. ..... . .. .. . . ..... ... .. .. .. 136 steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) .. .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . 146 sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) ..... .. ........ .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ..... ..... .. ........ ..... .. .. .. ... ..... .. .. ... . . . .. .. . 152 chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) .. .. .. ... .. ..... .. ... .. ..... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. . . . .. .. ... .. ... .. .. . .. .. . . 160 surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) ................................................................................................... 170 Iongtin smelt (Spirinchus tha/eichthys) ............................................................................................ 174 eulachon ( Thaleichthys pacificus) ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. . .. .... . .. . . ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. . . .. . .. . .. .. ... .. . .. . . .. . .. .. . . . .. .. ... 178 Pacific tomcod (Microgadus proximus) ........................................................................................... 182 tops melt (Atherinops affinis) .. .. .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . . . .. . .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. . .. .. .. . .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. . .. .. ... .. 186 jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) .. .. .. ... .. .. ... .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. ... .. . . .. . .. . .. .. .. ... .. ... . . .. . .. .. .. . .. .. ... .. . . 190 threespine stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus) .. .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. ... .. . .. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. .. ... .. .. ... .. . .. . . .. ... . . . .. .. .. . .. 194 striped bass (Marone saxatilis) ....................................................................................................... 200 kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus) .. .. .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ...... .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. . . .. . ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. . .. .. ... . . .. . .. 208 barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer) ......................................................................................... 212 white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) ............................................................................................... 216 white croaker ( Genyonemus /ineatus) ... .. .. .. . .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. ... . . .. . .. .. . .. .. .. ... .. . . . .. .. ... .. . .. .. .. . . 220 shiner perch ( Cymatogaster aggregata) .. ..... .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. . .. .. .. ... .. . . . .. .. . .. .. ... .. .. ... .. .. . .. .. ... .. . .. .. .. ... . 226 Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) .................................................................................. 232 arrow go by ( C/evelandia ios) .. .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. . . . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . 238 lingcod ( Ophiodon elongatus) ......................................................................................................... 242 Pacific stag horn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) .............................................................................. 246 California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) ................................................................................... 250 diamond turbot (Hypsopsetta guttulata) .......................................................................................... 256 English sole (Pieuronectes vetu/us) ................................................................................................ 260 starry flounder (Piatichthys stellatus) .............................................................................................. 266 Glossary ............................................................................................................................................... 273 Appendix 1: Summary table example: Spatial distribution and relative abundance ........................... 288 Appendix 2: Summary table example: Temporal distribution .............................................................. 289 Appendix 3: Summary table example: Data reliability ......................................................................... 290 Appendix 4: Presence/absence of 47 species in west coast estuaries ............................................... 291 Appendix 5: Life history characteristics of 47 species in west coast estuaries .................................... 305 Table 5A. Biogeography .................................................................................................................... 306 Table 58. Habitat associations .......................................................................................................... 312 Table 5C. Biological attributes and economic value .......................................................................... 318 Table 50. Reproduction .................................................................................................................... 324 Appendix 6: Terms used in life history tables ....................................................................................... 327 · Distribution and Abundance of Fishes and Invertebrates in West Coast Estuaries Volume II: Species Life History Summaries species' life stage by estuary for three salinity zones Introduction (seawater, mixing, and tidal fresh zones} identified in This is the second of two volumes that present NOAA's National Estuarine Inventory (NEI) Data Atlas information on the spatial and temporal distributions, - Volume I (NOAA 1985}. The Nationwide data base relative abundance, and life history characteristics of contains information for approximately 135 fish and 47 fish and invertebrate species in 32 estuaries along invertebrate species in 122 U.S. estuaries. the contiguous west coast of the U.S. Information · presented in this volume focuses on species life history Rationale summaries which were written to identify the critical life history characteristics that help define a species' Estuaries are among the most productive natural occurrence in estuaries. These summaries were systems and are important nursery areas that provide developed to complement data presented in Distribution food, refuge from predation, and valuable habitat for and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in west many species (Gunter 1967, Joseph 1973, Weinstein coast estuaries, Volume 1: Data summaries(Monaco et 1979, Mann 1982}. Estuarine organisms that support al. 1990}, hereafter referred to as Volume /. The life important commercial and recreational fisheries include history summaries are not a complete treatise on each salmonids, crabs, and molluscs. In spite of the well­ species; however, they provide a concise account of documented importance of estuaries to fishes and the most important physical and biological factors invertebrates, few consistent and comprehensive data known to influence a species' occurrence. bases exist which allow examinations of the relationships between estuarine species found in or This report is a product of the National Oceanic and among groups of estuaries. Furthermore, much of the Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA} Estuarine Living distribution and abundance information for estuarine­ Marine Resources(ELMR} program (inside front cover}, dependent species (i.e., species that require estuaries a joint study of the National Ocean Service (NOS}, during their life cycle} is for offshore life stages and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS}, and other does not adequately describe estuarine distributions research institutions. The objective of the ELMR (Darnell et al. 1983, NOAA 1988}. program is to develop a consistent data base on the distribution, abundance, and life history characteristics Only a few comprehensive sampling programs collect of important fishes and invertebrates in the Nation's fishes and invertebrates with identical methods across estuaries. The nationwide data base is divided into five groups of estuaries within a region ( Hammerschmidt study regions (Figure 1}. This data base contains the and McEachron 1986). Therefore, most existing relative abundance and monthly occurrence of each estuarine fisheries data cannot be compared among 17 estuaries, 58 species MaineDMR, Boothbay Harbor, ME UNH, Durham, NH Mid-Atlantic 22 estuaries, 61 species NOAA SEA Division, Silver Spring, MD !:::::::~~VIMS, Gloucester Point, VA NOAA NMFS, Beaufort, NC 31 estuaries, 44species Figure 1. ELMR study regions and regional research institutions. 1 estuaries because of the variable sampling strategies. the content and quality of existing estuarine fisheries Inaddition, existing research programs do notfocus on data. how groups of estuari.es may be important for regional fishery management, and few compile information for Data Collection and Organization species having little or no economic value. Volume Icontains detailed distribution and abundance Because lifestages ofmanyspecies useboth estuarine data for 47 fish and invertebrate species in 32 west and marine habitats, information on distribution, coast estuaries, and a complete discussion of the abundance, temporal utilization, and life history methods used to compile these data. However, a brief characteristics are needed to understand the coupling description of methods from Volume I are presented of estuarine, nearshore, and offshore areas. To date, here to aid interpretation of distribution and relative a national, comprehensive, and consistent data base abundance tables included in the species life history of this type. does not exist. Consequently, there is a summaries presented in this report. The following need to develop a program which integrates fragments sections provide an overview of the estuary/species of information on marine and estuarine species and selection process, and development of the ELMR data their associated habitats into a useful, comprehensive, base. and consistent format. The ELMR program was designed to help fulfill this need by developing a Selection ofEstuaries. Nineteen estuariesand marine uniform nationwide data base on selected estuarine embayments of the west coast (Figure 2) were initially species. Results will complement NOAA efforts to. selected from the National Estuarine Inventory Data develop a national estuarine assessment capability Atlas: Volume I (NOAA 1985). However, 13 additional (NOAA 1985), identify information gaps, and assess west coast estuaries were addedtothe NEI (and ELMR []JMill Puget Sound []JMill Hood Canal []JMill Skagit Bay ---· []JMill Grays Harbor ----===:::~;;::---;~ []JMill Willapa Bay -------­ []JMill Columbia River []JMill Nehalem Bay []JMill Tillamook Bay []JMill Netarts Bay []JMill Siletz River Oregon []JMill Yaquina Bay []JMill Alsea River []JMill Siuslaw River []JMill Umpqua River []JMill Coos Bay []JMill Rogue River Salinity Zones []JMill Klamath River [ID Seawater zone (>25%.) []JMill Humboldt Bay [M] Mixing zone (0.5-25%.) ITJ Tidal fresh zone (G-0.5%.) []]]Il] Eel River 0 Zone not present* []JMill Tomales Bay ----\.. •Freshwater inflow is relatively low []JMill Central San Francisco I in many southern CaiHomia Suisun I San Pablo Bays estuarieslembayments. [[]},IT] South San Francisco Bay [TIIJ Elkhorn Slough [TIIJ Morro Bay [TIIJ Santa Monica Bay [TIIJ San Pedro Bay I]ITI Alamitos Bay [TIIJ Anaheim Bay--­ [TIIJ Newport Bay ------=-====~~~ I]ITI Mission Bay --==========::l---__) I]ITI San Diego Bay I]ITI Tijuana Estuary Figure 2. Location of the 32 west coast estuaries included in the ELMR program, and their salinity zones as identified by the National Estuarine Inventory (NOAA 1985). 2 program) due to. their importance as habitat for west coast fishes and invertebrates. Data on the spatial and temporal distributions of species were compiled and organized based on three salinity zones delineated for each estuary in the NEI; tidal fresh (0.0 to 0.5%o), mixing (0.5 to 25.0%o), and seawater (>25.0%o). While some west coast estuaries do not contain all three salinity zones (e.g., southern California embayments), they were included because they provide important habitat for many euryhaline species. Selection ofSpecies. To ensure that important west coast estuarine species were included in the ELMR study, a species list was developed and reviewed by regional experts (Table 1) . Four criteria were used to identify the 47 species entered into the data base: 1) Commercial value - a species that commercial fishermen specifically try to catch (e.g., Pacific herring and Dungeness crab), as determined froin catch and value statistics of the NMFS and state agencies. 2) Recreational value - a species that recreational fishermen specifically try to catch that may or may not be of commercial importance. Recreational species (e.g., steel head and California halibut) were determined by consulting regional experts and NMFS reports. 3) Indicator species of environmental stress-identified from the literature, discussions with fisheries experts, and from monitoring programs such as NOAA's National Status and Trends Program (NOAA 1984). These species (e.g., Pacific oyster and white croaker) are molluscs or bottom fishes that consume benthic invertebrates or have a strong association with bottom sediments. Their physiological disorders, morphological abnormalities, and ability to bioaccumulate contaminants indicate environmental pollution orstress. 4) Ecological value-based on several species attributes, including trophic level, relative abundance, and importance of species as a key predator or prey organism (e.g., bay shrimp and topsmelt). Data Sheets. A data sheet was developed for each species in each estuary to enable quick compilation and data presentation. For example, Figure 3 shows the data sheet forthreespine stickleback in central San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun bays. Data sheets were developed by project staff and reviewed by local experts. Data compiled for each species' life stage included: 1) the salinity zones it occupies, 2) its monthly occurrence in the zones, and 3) its relative abundance in the zones. 3 and spawning adults as those releasing eggs or sperm. Threespine stickleback Central San Francisco/San Gasterostaus acu/aatus Pablo/Suisun Bays A few exceptions existed to these defined life stages, State: Calffornia such as mating of Dungeness crab, and parturition (live Reviewer: C. Armor birth) of the viviparous leopard shark and shiner perch. Salinity Life Relative Abundance by Month In addition, the following unique life history information Zone is provided to interpret the data: 1) for the Pacific oyster, spawning adults, larvae, and eggs are not shown because spawning is sporadic (most spat is hatchery produced and placed on beds), 2) for the pink, Mixing chum, coho, and chinook salmon, the onset of sexual 0.5-25.0%. ~==-+-- maturation (accompanied by morphological changes, homing behavior, and a reduction in feeding/growth) was used to define the beginning of the adult life stage, Seawater and 3) because migrating juveniles of different races of >25.0%. chinook salmon are difficult to separate in the field, the data for juveniles of the different races of chinook Legend: Relative Abundance Data Reliabilny (R) salmon include all races. However, yearling juveniles c=J=Not Present 1 = Highly Certain (spring and winter races) usually migrate to the ocean r=:=:J = No Data 2 =Moderately Certain earlier than subyearling juveniles (fall race). c=J=Rare illlll=Common 3 = Reasonable Inference For well-studied species such as salmon, quantitative -=Abundant data were used to estimate abundance levels. For -=Highly Abundant many species, however, reliable quantitative data were Figure 3. Example of a species/estuary data sheet: limited. Therefore, regional and local experts were threespine stickleback in Central San consulted to estimate relative abundances based on Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun bays. the above criteria. Several reference or"guide" species with abundance levels corresponding to the above The relative abundance of a species was defined using criteria were identified for each estuary. These guide one of the following categories: species typified fishes and invertebrates belonging to a particular life mode (e.g., pelagic, demersal) or • Highly abundant- species is numerically occupying similar habitats. Once guide species were dominant relative to other species. selected, other species were then placed into the appropriate abundance categories relative to them. • Abundant- species is often encountered in These data represent relative abundance levels within substantial numbers relative to other species. a specific estuary only; relative abundance levels across west coast estuaries could not be determined. • Common-species is generally encountered but not in large numbers; does not imply an even Information in Volume /was compiled for each species distribution over a specific salinity zone. and estuary combination, and organized into four data summaries: • Rare- species is present but not frequently encountered. • Spatial distribution and relative abundance • Temporal distribution • Not present- species or life stage not found, • Data reliability questionable data as to identification of the • Presence/absence data species, or recent loss of habitat or environmental degradation suggests absence. When compiled in this manner, the data can be easily translated into various tables, such as the overall • No information available-no data available, and occurrence of ELMR west coast species depicted in after expert review it was determined that even Table 2. Appendix tables 1-3are examples of how the an educated guess would not be appropriate. data were summarized and presented in Volume I. Appendix table 4 provides the west coast ELMR Information was compiled for each of five life stages. presence/absence data. Adults were defined as sexually mature individuals, juveniles as immature but otherwise similar to adults, 4 Table 2. Occurrence of 47 species in west coast estuaries. Symbols represent the highest relative abundance of adults or juveniles of a species, in any salinity zone, in any month, within each estuary. Belatjve abundance: • -Highly abundant @-Abundant 0-Common ...J-Bare Blank- Not present 5