Prey of pinnipeds at selected sites in Oregon identified by scat (fecal) analysis, 1983-1996, Technical Report #97-6-02

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Riemer, Susan D. and Robin F. Brown

Publish Date: 1997

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: Cedric.X.Cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: Over the past 14 years the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has been collecting pinniped scat (fecal) samples at both offshore and estuarine haulout locations in Oregon. Many of these collections were made opportunistically, during other research activities. Collections reported here include samples from Cascade Head, Rogue Reef, Orford Reef, and the Columbia, Rogue, Siletz, Umpqua, and Alsea rivers. These include scat samples collected from Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Prey identifications were made using fish bones, otoliths and cartilaginous parts recovered from scat samples. Pinnipeds are opportunistic feeders that consume a wide variety of prey species. From the 1,077 scat samples collected for all three species of pinnipeds, 44 species of fish and cephlapods were identified. An additional 19 prey items were identified to the genus, family or order level. These collections indicate that pinnipeds preyed heavily on schooling fishes, such as Pacific whiting and Pacific mackerel for sea lions, and on smelt and herring for harbor seals. Other species such as rockfish, lamprey, salmonids and flatfish were also commonly taken by pinnipeds. The variability in prey selection appeared to be related to the availability (seasonality), and abundance of prey species at a given location. Previous studies in Oregon have shown similar results, with a large and diverse number of prey consumed by pinnipeds.

Purpose:

Time Period of Content: 14 years (1983-1997?)

Geographic Extent: Collections reported here include samples from Cascade Head, Rogue Reef, Orford Reef, and the Columbia, Rogue, Siletz, Umpqua, and Alsea rivers.

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source: This work was made possible by funding from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (Wildlife Division and Wildlife Diversity Program), the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (Ocean and Coastal Resources Program), the National Marine Fisheries Service (Northwest Region Office and National Marine Mammal Laboratory) and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Access to the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Many individuals from all of these agencies, and from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, assisted with field collection activities. Assistance with prey species identification was provided by Pacific Identifications, Inc.

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).

Bibliography Information

Field Name	Value
Biblio ID	5864
Year	1997
Publisher
Request Type	Technical Report
Location	Salem HQ
Date Created	May 1997
Date Cataloged	4/5/2001 22:26:12
Date Published	1997
Type	yelw cvr
Pages	34 pp
Volume
Status	2
Descriptor	pinnipeds; predation; Oregon
Date Entered	2005-08-03 00:00:00
Location In Clackamas Library	Wildlife section; Marine Mammals
Author	Susan D Riemer; Robin F Brown
Duplicates	0
Number Remaining After Requests
Presumed All Distributed
Back Room Duplicates
Author	Brown, R.F.; Riemer, S.D.
Risk
Species
Disposition Of Requests	StreamNet Library: Requested, but no copies available
Disposition Of Requests	State Archive: Request filled

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown