Life-history organization of herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) in the northeast Pacific

The distribution of herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) inthe Northeast Pacific extends from southern California tonorthern Alaska. Studies on variation in herring life-historyare limited to localcharacteristics and recruitmentpopulations or relatively restricted regions of the NortheastPacific. In this study I assessed herring life-historypatterns and recruitment variation among 14 sites extendingfrom Lynn Channel in Alaska to San Francisco Bay inCalifornia. Biological data were compiled from published andof state and provincialunpublished technical reportsfisheries agencies in the northeast Pacific. Multivariate(PCA) and inferential statistical methods were applied indata analysis. Ordinations of length-and weight-at-agerevealed no latitudinal patterns among the 14 herring sites.Among four sites for which environmental data were available,there were significant negative correlations between first PCscores of size and Ekman layer transport and sea-surfacesalinity (SSS). Reproductive characteristics of herringappeared to vary latitudinally. Herring from the moresoutherly sites tended to mature at an earlier age andsmaller size and have a longer duration of spawning thanherring from northerly sites. There were significant negativefirst PC scores of reproductivecorrelations betweenvariables and Ekman transport, sea-surface temperature, andSSS. With the exception of Lynn and Seymour Channels inAlaska, the most northerly sites in this study, asymptoticto northernsize (L[subscript]∞) tended to increase from southernlatitudes. With the exception of southern Strait of Georgia(British Columbia) herring and Tomales Bay (California)herring, growth coefficients (K) appeared to be higher inlatitudes. L[subscript]∞ was negatively correlated with SST.Recruitment variation at three sites was related to Ekman layer transport during theperiods of spawning. At San Francisco Bay recruitment wasnegatively related to winter Ekman transport. At Sitka andIsland, recruitment showed asouthwestern Vancouversignificant positive and negative correlation, respectively,Recruitment in northern andwith spring Ekman transport.southern Strait of Georgia were negatively correlated withSST during fall. There was no correlation between recruitmentand SSS for all sites.