Graduation Date
Summer 2024
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Natural Resources, option Fisheries
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Jose Marin Jarrin
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Andrew Kinziger
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Laurie Richmond
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Fourth Committee Member Name
Dr. Eric Bjorkstedt
Keywords
Fisheries, Smelt, Northern California, Tribal fishery, Traditional ecological knowledge, Data poor, Sandy beach ecosystem, Collaboration, Multiple knowledges, Forage fish
Subject Categories
Fisheries
Abstract
Night smelt spawns from central California to southeast Alaska, on the shore of sandy beach surf zones at night. This species is a vital part of regional food webs and, in California, is fished commercially primarily in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. It has cultural importance for dietary and subsistence needs to the Tribes across the coast, as well as inland. The objectives of this thesis are as follow: study the status of the population of night smelt in Humboldt and Del Norte counties by (A) comparing the abundance, length, weight, age, sex ratio, and timing of reproduction of the night smelt population present in Humboldt and Del Norte counties during 2014 and 2021. (B) quantifying their larvae in the nearshore ocean since 2007, (C) analyzing commercial catches in Humboldt County during the last 20 years and (D) using traditional and local ecological knowledge to explore what significance night smelt hold for the Tribal nations. All research was in collaboration with the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, the Pulikla Tribe of Yurok People, CDFW, Sea Grant California, NOAA SWFSC, and COAST. See more for methods and results per objective. Collaboration with tribes and agencies provided a unique opportunity to establish research methods and best practices for understanding the night smelt population, as well as to reestablish cultural and dietary practices through community collaboration and tribal management of a culturally significant species. More information about night smelt must be obtained so this species can be managed sustainably across the north coast for generations.
Citation Style
Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
Recommended Citation
Zenobia, Z., "Using biological parameters and traditional ecological knowledge to study the status of Spirinchus starksi (night smelt) in northern California" (2024). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 774.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/774
IACUC permit
Included in
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