NWFSC Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z All

All

ABC
	Allowable Biological Catch - A term that refers to the range of allowable catch for a species of species group. It is set each year by a scientific group. The ABC estimates are used to set the annual total allowable catch (TAC).
Abiotic Factor
	The physical, chemical and other non-living components of the environment that an organism lives in. These factors include all aspects of climate, geology, and atmosphere that affect ecological systems. Compare biotic factor.
Abundance
	the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply.
Abyssopelagic Zone
	Abysso meaning "no bottom", this zone of the ocean begins 4000 m below the surface of the ocean and extends down to the sea floor. This zone is home to a variety of unique critters that are specially adapted to the inhospitable conditions that these depths create. Visit the Abyssopelagic Zone on OceanLink to learn about life in the abyss.
ACE
	US Army Corps of Engineers
Adaptation
	Any change in the structure or function of an organism which makes it better suited to its environment. For example, the torpedo body shape of a tuna allows for fast swimming in the open ocean.
Adduct
	In physiology, to draw in toward the median axis of the body or an adjacent part or limb. In chemistry, a compound formed by the combination of two or more substances
ADF&G;
	Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Adipose fin
	a small fin on the fish's back near the tail, often removed on hatchery salmon in order to differentiate them from wild salmon.
Air bladder
	AKA "Swim bladder": an air-filled structure used by fish to maintain buoyancy, and, in some species, to aid in respiration.
Alevin
	newly hatched salmon with the yolk sack still attached
Algae
	Photosynthetic organisms
ALL
	Aquatic Lands Lease
Allele
	One of the alternative forms of a particular gene. Each gene is comprised of two alleles, one inherited from the father and one from the mother. Within a population, however, many alleles may exist for one gene.
Allopatric
	Occupying distinct geographical areas (and therefore unable to interbreed)
Allozyme
	One of several forms of the same enzyme having electrophoretic mobilities and which corresponds to alternative alleles at the same genetic locus.
Anadromous
	Of a fish species: migrating as a juvenile from fresh water to the ocean and then returning as an adult to spawn in fresh water; most Pacific salmon are anadromous; compare catadromous
Anal fin
	the single fin situated on the midline of the fish, behind the anus.
Anoplopoma fimbria
	Sablefish
ANOVA
	Analysis of the variance; a group of statistical procedures
APHA
	American Public Health Association
API
	Application Program Interface
Aquaculture
	The commercial growing of marine or freshwater plants or animals in water.
ARC/INFO
	a proprietary Geographical Information System
ASCII
	American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASMFS
	Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission - Serves as a deliberative body of the Atlantic coastal states, coordinating the conservation and management of nearshore fishery resources, including marine, shell and anadromous species.
ASP
	Amnesiac Shellfish Poisoning, the original name given to Domoic Acid poisoning, one symptom of which is severe short-term memory loss
Assay
	Experimental test or analysis
autocorrelation
	The correlation of a variable with itself over time
Autotroph
	An organism that synthesizes organic molecules from inorganic starting materials through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Autotrophs are ecologically important as primary producers as they ultimately provide energy for all heterotrophic organisms. See also chemosynthesis, photosynthesis; compare heteroptroph.
B
	The weight (biomass) of a group of fish necessary to produce maximum sustainable yield (MSY).
Bacteriophage
	A virus that invades and destroys ("eats") host bacteria
Barbell
	a fleshy, flap like or whisker like appendage (very small and hard to see on some minnows) found near the mouth. Used as a sensory organ. A good example is on the shovelnose sturgeon.
Bathypelagic Zone
	The zone of the ocean that extends from 1000m to 4000m below the surface of the ocean. Visit the Bathypelagic Zone on OceanLink for pictures and cool facts about life at this depth.
BC
	British Columbia (Canada)
BCSAR
	British Columbia Salmon Aquaculture Review
BCSGA
	British Columbia Salmon Growers Association (Canada)
Benthic
	Refers to organisms that live on or in the ocean floor.
Benthic Invertebrate
	An animal, such as a mollusk, with no spinal column that lives on the ocean floor.
Bimodal distribution
	Indicating two length groups within which individuals are most abundant, possibly with other less abundant length groups around them.
Biodiversity
	The variation in life on Earth reflected at all levels, from various ecosystems and species, to the genetic variation within a species. See also ecosystem diversity, species diversity, genetic diversity.
Bioluminescence
	Meaning living (bio) light (luminescence) is the light produced by living organisms and the emission of such biologically produced light. Also commonly referred to as "phosphorescence". For more info, visit the Salty Science Algae Page.
Biotic Factor
	A living component of the environment which arises from and affects living organisms (distinct from physical factors). For example, the interaction between predators and prey is a biotic interaction. Compare abiotic factor.
Biotoxins
	Neuro-poisons that can cause illness or death in humans and animals that consume products from the sea.
BKD
	Bacterial kidney disease.
Blackfish
	Traditional name for the killer whale
BMP
	Best Management Practice
BMSY
	The weight (biomass) of a group of fish necessary to produce maximum sustainable yield (MSY).
Body depth
	the greatest vertical distance between the midline of the back and the midline of the belly, the "height" of the fish.
Body width
	the greatest distance from one side of the body to the other.
Broodstock
	A group of mature fish that is kept separate and used for producing fry.
BRT
	Biological Review Team.
Cancer magister
	Dungeness Crab
Catadromous
	Migrates as a juvenile from salt water to fresh water and then returns as an adult to spawn in salt water; some eels are catadromous, but most Pacific salmon are anadromous, which is the opposite
Caudal (e.g. fin)
	Posterior
CFMC
	Caribbean Fishery Management Council.
CFOI
	Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
CFR
	Code of Federal Regulations (Food and Drug Administration)
Chemosynthesis
	The process whereby chemical energy is used to make organic compounds from inorganic compounds. One example is the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite by nitrifying bacteria. Compare photosynthesis.
Chinook salmon
	Oncorhynchus tshawytscha; the largest species of the Pacific salmon, also commonly called "King." Typical adults weigh about 22 pounds (10 kg) and are 36 inches (91 cm) long, but chinook from some runs can exceed 100 pounds.
Chromosome
	A linear sequence of genes wound up with proteins into a single unit that is found in the nucleus of cells. See also DNA, genes.
Chum salmon
	Oncorhynchus keta; also called Dog Salmon, because they are commonly dried and used for feedng dog teams during winter.
Coded-Wire Tag
	Miniature radio-frequency electronic tags, which are placed in fish and provide a means for researchers to track fish movements and study their behavior.
Coho salmon
	Oncorhynchus kisutch; a species of Pacific salmon.
Community
	A naturally occurring group of plants and animals that live within a certain environment and interact with each other. Communities are often defined by a dominant species (e.g. kelp forest community) or the major physical characteristics of the area (e.g. mud flats).
Congener
	An organism of the same class, group or genus as another (From the Latin for "same race")
Conservation Biology
	(1) The name of one of the NWFSC's five scientific divisions; (2) A field of science that deals with threats to biodiversity. The goals of conservation biology are to investigate human impacts of biodiversity and to develop approaches to prevent extinction through stewardship of entire biological communities.
Contaminants
	Chemical pollution in coastal areas near urban centers that may be responsible for a variety of deleterious biological effects in aquatic species.
Convergent evolution
	The development of similar structures in organisms that do not share a recent common ancestor (e.g. the eyes of squid, flies and humans); compare divergent evolution
COP
	Code of Practice
CPUE
	Catch Per Unit of Effort - The number of fish caught by an amount of effort. Typically, effort is a combination of gear type, gear size and length of time gear is used. Catch per unit of effort is often used as a measurement of relative abundance.
CRADA
	Cooperative Research and Development Agreement
CRI
	The Cumulative Risk Initiative (CRI), is an ongoing effort of the NWFSC that assesses salmonid population trends and the impact of various actions on those trends.
Cutthroat Trout
	Oncorhynchus clarki clarki. A species of Pacific salmonid.
Cytokine
	A class of proteins that are released by immune system cells to stimulate an immune response
DDT
	(1) The insecticide C14H9Cl5; (2) any of a group of similar chemicals
Decomposer
	An organism which gains energy by breaking down the final remains of living things. Predominantly bacteria and fungi, decomposers are important in freeing the last of minerals and nutrients from organics and recycling them back into the food web. See also decomposition; compare detrivore.
Decomposition
	The biochemical process where biological materials are broken down into smaller particles and eventually into basic chemical compounds and elements. See also decomposer.
Demersal
	Sinking to or inhabiting the ocean bottom
Detritus
	Dead organic matter of plant or animal. See also detrivore.
Detrivore
	An organism that feeds on large bits of dead and decaying organic matter. What detrivores leave behind is used by decomposers. Crabs and seabirds are examples of detrivores. Compare decomposer; see also detritus.
DFO
	Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada)
Diatoms
	Microscopic algae with plate-like structures composed of silica.
Divergent Evolution
	The evolution of one species to a number of different forms. Compare convergent evolution; see also evolution.
Diversity
	Genetic variations that allow a population to use a wider array of environments, protect against short-term spatial or temporal changes in the environment and survive long-term environmental changes.
DNA
	Deoxyribonucleic acid, the primary genetic material of a cell that makes up genes and chromosomes. See also genes, chromosome.
DOC
	The Department of Commerce (DOC or DoC) promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development and improved living standards for all Americans by working in partnership with business, universities, communities. One of DOC's goals is: Provide effective management and stewardship of the nation's resources and assets to ensure sustainable economic opportunities. NOAA is one of the Department of Commerce's organizations.
DOI
	United States Department of the Interior
Domestic Selection
	Adaptation of a population to the hatchery environment which may diminish adaptation of the population to the natural environment.
Domestication
	(1) Captivity (e.g. being reared in a hatchery) (2) the genetic, physiological or bevahioral changes that may occur in captivity
Domoic Acid
	A water-soluble amino acid, domoic acid is a deadly neurotoxin produced by some algae (from Japanese domoi = seaweed, in which it is sometimes concentrated); see ASP
Dorsal
	Upper side of a fish's body (opposite of ventral)
Dover Sole
	Microstomus pacificus
Dungeness Crab
	Cancer magister
EAO
	Environmental Assessment Office (Canada BC)
Ecological Niche
	The role a plant or animal plays in its community. The niche of an organism is defined by what it eats, its predators, salt tolerances, light requirements etc. Two species cannot live stably in the same habitat if they occupy identical niches.
Ecology
	The study of the physical and biological interactions between an organism and its natural environment.
Ecosystem
	A community of plants, animals and other organisms that are linked by energy and nutrient flows and that interact with each other and with the physical environment. Rain forests, deserts, coral reefs, and grasslands are examples of ecosystems.
Ecosystem Diversity
	The diversity of biological communities and their physical environment. Diversity is determined by the species composition, physical structure and processes within an ecosystem. This is the highest level of biodiversity. See also biodiversity; compare species diversity, genetic diversity.
Ecotoxicology
	The scientific study of harmful effects caused by manmade chemicals to the natural environment.
EDI
	Electronic Data Interchange
EEZ
	Extended Economic Zone - all waters from the seaward boundary of coastal states out to 200 nautical miles.
EFCL
	Electronic Fish Catch Logbook
Effluent
	Industrial or urban waste discharged into the environment.
Electrophoretic
	Of or relating to electrophoresis, which is a method of separating substances, especially proteins, and analyzing molecular structure based on the rate of movement of each component in a colloidal suspension while under the influence of an electric field.
ELISA
	Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay: a sensitive immunological test that uses an enzyme as a marker for the presence of a specific protein
Endangered
	A species or ecosystem that is so reduced or delicate that it is threatened with or on the verge of extinction. Compare extinct, extirpated, threatened, vulnerable.
Endemic
	An animal or plant species that naturally occurs in only one area.
Energetics
	The study of the flow and transformation of energy.
Environment
	All of the physical, chemical, and biological factors in the area where a plant or animal lives.
EPA
	United States Environmental Protection Agency
Epibenthic Invertebrate
	A term for organisms that live attached to rocks. Latin translation
Epipelagic Zone
	see Photic Zone.
EPR
	Eggs-Per-Recruit - the average number of eggs produced by an individual fish that has been recruited, I.e., that moved into a certain class, such as the spawning class or fishing-size class. Used as an index of abundance.
ERD
	entity relationship diagram
ESA
	Endangered Species Act 1974
Escapement
	The portion of an anadromous fish population that escapes the commercial and recreational fisheries and reaches the freshwater spawning grounds.
ESRI
	Environmental Systems Research Institute
Estuaries
	An arm of the sea that extends inland to meet the mouth of a river.
ESU
	Evolutionarily Significant Unit: a population segment (e.g. "Redfish Lake sockeye") equivalent to the "Distinct Population" referred to in the Endangered Species Act
ESU
	Evolutionarily Significant Unit
EU
	European Union
Eumetopias jubastus
	Stellar Sea Lion
Eutrophication
	Enrichment of a water body with nutrients, resulting in excessive growth of phytoplankton, seaweeds, or vascular plants, and often depletion of oxygen.
Evolution
	The process by which a species' structural and behavioral characteristics change over many generations, sometimes in response to changes in environmental conditions. 'New' species develop in this way. For example, scientists think that whales gradually evolved from land animals. See also convergent evolution, divergent evolution.",
Extinct
	A species which no longer exists. The Stellar sea cow is an example of a species which once lived on the Pacific's East Coast and is now extinct. Compare extirpated.
Extirpated
	A species no longer existing in Canada, but occurring elsewhere on Earth.
F
	Fishing Mortality Rate - a measurement of the rate of removal of fish from a population by fishing. Fishing mortality rate can be reported as either annual or instantaneous. Annual mortality is the percentage of fish dying in one year. Instantaneous mortality is that percentage of fish dying at any one point in time.
F0.1
	The point on the spawning per recruit curve at which the level of spawning per recruit is 35% or 40% of the maximum.
F20%
	The level of fishing mortality that results in a spawning potential ratio of 20% of the maximum.
F25%
	The level of fishing mortality that results in a spawning potential ratio of 25% of the maximum.
F30%
	The level of fishing mortality that results in a spawning potential ratio of 30% of the maximum.
F40%
	The level of fishing mortality that results in a spawning potential of 40% of the maximum.
FABC
	The level of fishing mortality that results in the allowable biological catch.
FAO
	Food and Agriculture Organization (United Nations)
FDA
	United States Food and Drug Administration
Fertilization
	The joining or fusion of the male gamete (sperm) and the female gamete (egg) to form a zygote during sexual reproduction. See also gamete, zygote.
Fin ray
	a slender, rod-shaped structure that supports the membranes of the fins. There are two types of rays, soft rays and spines. Soft rays are jointed, often branches, and flexible near their tips. Spines are unjointed, unbranched, and usually sharp at the tip and stiff along the shaft.
fish word
	asdfasdfasdf
Fisheries
	The industry or occupation devoted to the catching, processing, or selling of fish, shellfish, or other aquatic animals.
Fishers
	Men and women who fish for a livelihood
FMAX
	The level of fishing mortality that results in the greatest yield from the fishery.
FMP
	Fishery Management Plan - a plan to achieve specified management goals for a fishery prepared under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
FMSY
	The level of fishing mortality that results in the maximum sustainable yield.
FOF
	The level of fishing mortality defined as overfishing.
FOFL
	The level of fishing mortality associated with the average catch from 1978 through 1995 for Gulf of Alaska groundfish and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands groundfish.
Food Chain
	A linear sequence of organisms that exist on successive trophic levels within a natural community, through which energy is transferred by feeding. Primary producers capture energy from the environment (through photo- or chemo-synthesis) and form the base of the food chain. Energy is then passed to primary consumers (herbivores) and on to secondary and tertiary consumers (carnivores and top carnivores) (e.g. phytoplankton -> zooplankton -> herring -> salmon -> killer whales). Once they die, these organisms are in turn consumed and their energy transferred to detrivores and decomposers.
Food Web
	A non-linear network of feeding between organisms that includes many food chains, and hence multiple organisms on each trophic level. For example, both sharks and tuna eat herring, and sharks also eat tuna. Visit and tour around the Pacific Northwest Food Web on the OceanLink Web site.
FPC
	Fish Passage Control (Oregon)
Fry
	Young salmon who are able to swim and catch their own food
Gamete
	A mature reproductive cell that is capable of fusing with another gamete of the opposite sex to form a zygote. Male gametes are typically known as sperm and female gametes a typically known as eggs. See also fertilization, zygote.
GDP
	Gross Domestic Product
GDU
	Genetic Diversity Unit
Gene
	The hereditary material coded in DNA. A gene is located on a chromosome.
Generalist
	A species that can live in many different habitats and can feed on a number of different organisms. For example, shore crabs on the Pacific coast live in a wide variety of habitats, such as mud, sand and rock, and feed on everything from the algae growing on rocks to invertebrates to detritus. Compare specialist
Genetic Diversity
	The genetic variation that occurs within a population or species. For example, there are several different color dog whelk shells and ochre sea stars. See also biodiversity; compare ecosystem diversity, species diversity.
Genotype
	The genetic makeup of an organism. The actual appearance of an individual (the phenotype) depends on the interaction between different forms (or alleles) of genes and between the genotype and the environment. Compare phenotype.
GESAMP
	Joint Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (United Nations)
gill arches
	the series of curved, bony structures lying beneath the gill cover that support the gill rakers and gill filaments.
gill cover
	the large, flat bone on the side of the head, covering the gills.
gill rakers
	Knob or comb like projections on the front edge of the gill arch. They serve to protect and clean the gill filaments.
Gillnet
	A net set upright in the water to catch fish by entangling their gills in its mesh.
GIS
	Geographic Information Systems
GLP
	Good Laboratory Practice
GM
	Genetically Modified
GMFMC
	Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
GMO
	Genetically Modified Organism
GMT
	Greenwich Mean Time
GPS
	Global Positioning System
GSMFC
	Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission - Serves as a deliberative body of the Gulf of Mexico coastal states, coordinating the conservation and management of nearshore fishery resources, including marine, shell and anadromous species.
HAB
	Harmful Algal Blooms.
Habitat
	The immediate space where an animal or plant lives and has food, water and protection. Habitat loss, which includes the destruction, degradation, or fragmentation of habitats, is the primary cause of decreasing biodiversity.
HACCP
	Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
HAH
	Halogenic Aromiatic Hydrocarbon
Harbor Seal
	Phoca vitulina
Hatchery
	A place for hatching eggs of fish and allowing them a place to grow until they are better able to survive on their own in the ocean
Herbivore
	A plant-eating animal. Sea urchins re a good example of a marine herbivore as they feed on kelp. See also heterotroph, primary consumer.
Hermaphrodite
	An animal that has both male and female reproductive organs. Nudibranchs (sea slugs) are a good example o a hermaphrodite.
Heterotroph
	An organism that is unable to synthesize organic compounds (and thus its energy) from the environment and therefore fulfils its energy requirements by feeding on other organisms or organic matter. Compare autotroph.
HGMP
	Hatchery and Genetic Management Plan
HIE
	Highlands and Islands Enterprises (Scotland)
Hippoglossus stenolepis
	Pacific Halibut
Histopathology
	The microscopic study of disease in tissue
HMS
	Highly Migratory Species Division - develops fishery policies designed to manage any highly migratory species (tuna species, marlin, oceanic sharks, sailfishes and swordfish) fishery that is within the geographical authority of more than one Council.
Homogeneous
	Similar or uniform structure or composition throughout.
hormone
	A chemical created in one organ by the endocrine system and transported by the bloodstream to other organs, where it has a stimulating effect
HPA
	Hydraulic Project Approval
HRTQ
	Hours to reach quota; a measure of fishing efficiency
HTTP
	Hypertext Transfer Protocol
Humpback Whale
	Megoptera novaeangliae
Humpback, humpie
	Nickname for a pink salmon. Male pink salmon develops a pronounced hump on the back as they age
ICOR
	Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (Washington State)
Imprinting
	The process through which young fry "memorize" details about their home streams. As adult spawners, they use this knowledge to find their way back
IMS
	Internet Map Service
INAD
	Investigational New Animal Drug
Inbreeding
	Matings between close relatives.
Inorganic
	Part of or derived from non-biological material. A chemical compound that does not include a carbon chain. Compare organic.
Introduced Species
	An organism that has been brought into an area, usually by humans, where it does not normally occur. Introduced species often compete with and cause problems for native species. Introduced species are also called exotic, nonnative, and alien species. See also invasive species, native species
Invasive Species
	An introduced species that out-competes native species for space and resources. Scotch Broom is an invasive species that out-competes local vegetation and results in a monoculture, and hence a decrease in local diversity. See also introduced species, native species
Invertebrates
	Large group of lower animals that lack a spinal column.
Iteroparous
	Producing offspring in successive, such as annual or seasonal, batches.
IV&V;
	independent validation and verification
Jack
	Salmon males that mature early.
JSA
	Joint Sub-Committee on Aquaculture
Kelt
	A salmon after spawning
Keystone predator
	The dominant predator or the top predator that has a major influence on community structure. For example, sea otters are a keystone predator in kelp beds. Sea otters eat urchins that feed on kelp which house a huge diversity of other organisms. If sea otter populations are lowered in an area the kelp beds are generally reduced and urchin barrens appear.
Keystone species
	A species that has a major influence on community structure.
Killer Whale
	Orcinus Orca, also known as blackfish
King salmon
	Chinook salmon: so-called because it is the largest species
Kokanee
	A form of the normally anadromous Sockeye salmon; the Kokanee spends its entire like in fresh water
Lambda
	A statistical term usually referring to population growth
lateral line
	a series of sensory tubes and pores that extend from the head along the side of the body.
lateral line scales
	the scales that actually bear the pores and tubes of the lateral line.
Leucocyte
	White corpuscle capable of digesting harmful bacteria, fungi, etc.
LF
	line feed
Limnology
	The scientific study of the life and phenomena of fresh water, especially lakes and ponds.
Lipid
	A broad class of fatty, oily or waxy compounds that form a major part of the structure of most living things
Littoral
	Living in near-shore water or the intertidal zone (between high and low tide)
lymphocyte
	A type of white cell found in the blood or lymph tissue
Macrophage
	A large phagocytic cell
MAFMC
	Middle-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
MAPI
	Messaging Application Program Interface
Megoptera novaeangliae
	Humpback Whale
Meluccinus productus
	Pacific Hake
Mesopelagic Zone
	Also called the 'twilight zone' of the ocean, this area from 200m to 1000m in depth, is bordered by the photic zone above and darkness below. It's in this zone where you start to see bioluminescence on all sorts of animals. Visit the Mesopelagic Zone on OceanLink to learn about the animals unique to these depths.
MFMT
	Maximum Fishing Mortality Threshold - the level or rate of fishing mortality, that if exceeded, will result in overfishing and jeopardize the capacity of a stock or stock complex to produce maximum sustainable yield on a continuing basis.
Microsatellite loci
	Variable numbers of short tandem DNA repeats.
Microstomus pacificus
	Dover Sole
Milt
	The milky sperm the male salmon releases to fertilize the eggs
MIME
	Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions
Mitochondrial
	Referring to mitochondria, which is a small intracellular organelle that is responsible for energy production.
MLLW
	Mean Low Low Water
Morphology
	The form and structure of an organism, in particular its outside features.
MSP
	Maximum Spawning Potential - see SPR.
MSST
	Minimum Stock Size Threshold - the minimum size of the stock or stock complex that is required to produce maximum sustainable yield (MSY), below which the stock would be considered overfished. The threshold should equal whichever of the following is greater: half the MSY stock size, or the minimum stock size at which rebuilding to the MSY level would be expected to occur within 10 years if the stock or stock were exploited at the maximum fishing mortality threshold.
MSY
	Maximum Sustainable Yield - the largest long-term average catch or yield that can be taken from a stock or stock complex under prevailing ecological and environmental conditions.
mtDNA
	Mitochondrial DNA
Multivariate analysis
	A set of techniques used when variation in several variables has to be studied simultaneously.
MX
	Mail Exchange record for domain name services entries
NADP
	National Aquaculture Development Plan
Native Species
	A species that occurs naturally in an area (i.e. is not introduced). Compare introduced species, invasive species.
Natural Selection
	The main mechanism of evolutionary change. In a given population of organisms, there are heritable traits that enable some members to contribute a larger number of offspring than others. If these offspring also have a greater reproductive success, then the genetic composition of the population is altered, thus evolution. See also selection pressure
NATURES
	Natural Rearing Enhancement System
NBSGA
	New Brunswick Salmon Growers Association (Canada)
NEFMC
	New England Fishery Management Council.
NEFSC
	Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Nekton
	Pelagic organisms that are free-swimming and so whose movements are independent of the tides, currents and waves. Such animals include fish, whales, squid, crabs and shrimps. The distribution of nekton is limited by temperature and nutrient supply and decreases with decreasing depth. Compare benthic, plankton
NMFS
	National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS-pronounced "nymphs" is also referred to as "NOAA Fisheries". NMFS has its headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, and has a Regional Office and a Science Center in each of five regions-Northwest, Northeast, Southwest (including Hawaii and U.S. South Pacific Territories), Southeast (including the U.S. Caribbean), and Alaska. The Regional Offices provide management and policy leadership. The Science Centers (such as NWFSC) do research and provide the scientific advice on which policy is based.
NOAA
	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Nonrenewable resource
	A resource that is in limited supply and can"t be replenished by natural processes, at least not for thousands of years or more. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources. Compare renewable resource.
NPAFC
	North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission
NPDES
	National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit
NPFMC
	North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
NPR
	National Performance Review
NRC
	Natural Resources Consultants
NSGCP
	National Sea Grant College Program (NOAA)
NSSP
	National Shellfish Sanitation Program
Nucleotide
	The basic structural component of nucleic acids such as RNA and DNA
Null hypothesis
	The assumption that an observed difference is due to chance rather than some other, hypothesized causal factor
NWFSC
	The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is one of five regional Science Centers for the National Marine Fisheries Service.
NWIFC
	Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
OAR
	Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (NOAA)
Observers
	Federal government-sponsored contractors who observe and record onboard catch activity
Oceanography
	The exploration and scientific study of the ocean and its phenomena.
ODFW
	Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
ODIN
	Official Documentation and Information from Norway
Oligonucleotide
	A polymer chain of several nucleotides
ONC
	Open Networking Consortium
Oncorhynchus
	Pronounced onk-or-INK-us. A genus of the family salmonidae (salmons and trouts).
Oncorhynchus clarkii
	Sea-run cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
	Pink Salmon
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
	Pink Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta
	Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
	Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus mykiss
	Steelhead Trout
Oncorhynchus nerka
	Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
	Chinook Salmon
Operculum
	Gill cover
Orcinus Orca
	Killer Whale
Organic
	Part of or derived from living organisms. Or a chemical compound that contains carbon as an essential component. Compare inorganic.
ORHAB
	Olympic Region Harmful Algal Bloom.
OSU
	Oregon State University
Otolith
	Ear "bone" of a fish; they often show seasonal or annual "rings" that can be used to determine age.
Outbreeding
	Mating individuals from different populations.
Over-consumption
	The use of resources at a rate that exceeds the ability of natural processes to replace them.
OY
	Optimum Yield - the amount of fish that: 1) will provide the greatest overall benefit to the nation, particularly with respect to food production and recreational opportunities, and taking into account the protection of marine ecosystems; 2) is prescribed on the basis of the maximum sustainable yield from the fishery, as reduced by any relevant economic, social or ecological factors; 3) in the case of an overfished fishery, provides for rebuilding to a level consistent with producing the MSY in such fishery.
PacFIN
	Pacific Fisheries Information Network
Pacific Hake
	Meluccinus productus
Pacific Halibut
	Hippoglossus stenolepis
Pacific Razor Clam
	Siliqua patula
PAH
	Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon; one of over 100 chemicals that are produced by incomplete burning of wood, tar and other materials. They can persist in the environment from days to years, depending on their form and local conditions; some are carcinogenic.
PAH
	Polycyclic Aromiatic Hydrocarbon; a group of chemicals generated in combustion, especially combustion of tars and oils; some are carcinogenic
Paired fins
	The pectoral and pelvic fins
Parasite
	An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host.
Parr
	Juvenile salmon with large dark spots on their sides for camouflage. Salmon parr usually live in freshwater for 1 to 2 years
Pathogens
	Disease producing organisms.
Pathology
	The scientific study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences.
PCB
	Polychlorinated Biphenyl; a group of pollutants that accumulates in animal tissue
PCHB
	Pollution Control Hearings Board (Washington State)
PCMCIA
	Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
PDf
	Probability Density Function - a description of the probability that a variable takes a specified value.
Pectoral fins
	The farthest forward or uppermost of the paired fins.
Pelagic
	Refers to the plants and animals that live in the water column or in the open waters of the ocean rather than the ocean floor (see benthic). Life is found throughout the pelagic zone, however is more concentrated at shallower depths. Pelagic organisms can be further divided into the plankton and nekton. Compare benthic. (epipelagic: living in the upper or photic layer between 0 and 200 meters; mesopelagic: living between 200 and 1000 meters).
Pelvic fin
	The paired fin located beneath or behind the pectoral fin.
Pesticides
	Chemical products used to reduce or eliminate unwanted organisms, regarded as "pests". Pesticides are often used on gardens, agricultural land, roadsides, and golf courses to eliminate species considered undesirable or damaging.
PFMC
	Pacific Fishery Management Council
Phage, bacteriophage
	A virus that invades and destroys ("eats") host bacteria
Phagocyte
	A cell that engulfs or "eats" waste material or invading organisms; white blood cells are an example
Pharyngeal arches
	The pair of curved bones located in the throat that bear the throat teeth
Phenotype
	The physical appearance of an individual that is the result of that individual's genotype and the interaction of the genotype with the environment during development. Hence, individuals with the same genotype may have different phenotypes in different environments. Compare genotype.
Phoca vitulina
	Harbor Seal
Phosphoresence
	See "bioluminescence"
Photic zone
	The surface layer of the ocean that is penetrated by sunlight. The photic zone is the layer of the ocean that has been explored the most as it is relatively easy to access with conventional diving equipment. In the photic zone phytoplankton flourish and it is where the fish, marine mammals, and marine invertebrates that most people are familiar with are found. Light can penetrate down to approximately 200m which marks the end of the photic zone. Also referred to as the Sunlight Zone or the Epipelagic Zone.
Photosynthesis
	A chemical process whereby plants and algae use a sun's energy to make sugars (organic compounds) from carbon dioxide and water (inorganic compounds). See also autotroph, chemosynthesis.
Phylum
	The broadest classification for animals. Compare species.
Physiology
	The biological study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.
Phytoplankton
	Literally "wandering plant": the plant and algae component of the plankton; the primary producers of almost all marine food webs. Compare zooplankton.
Pink salmon
	Oncorhynchus gorbuscha ; a species of salmon with very large spots on their backs with large, oval black blotches on both lobes of their tails. Their scales are very small. The spawning adults take on a dull gray coloration on the back and upper sides with a creamy-white color below. The males develop a pronounced hump on their backs and are sometimes called "humpbacks".
Pinniped
	Of or belonging to the Pinnipedia, a suborder of carnivorous aquatic mammals that includes the seals, walruses, and similar animals having finlike flippers as organs of locomotion.
PIT tag
	Passive Integrated Transponder tag.
PKI
	Public Key Infrastructure: a type of digital encryption standard
Plankton
	Pelagic organisms that float through the water column, not attached to any substrate and unable to move against the currents and tides. Plankton can be further divided into phytoplankton and zooplankton, meroplankton and holoplankton. Compare nekton.
Pleuronectes bilineatus
	Rock Sole
PNP
	Private Non-Profit (Aquaculture Organizations, Alaska)
PNWFHPC
	Pacific Northwest Fish Health Protection Committee
Population
	The number of individuals of a particular species that live within a defined area.
Predator
	An animal that hunts and kills other animals for food.
Prey
	An animal that is used by other animals for food.
Primary Consumer
	A heterotrophic, herbivorous organism that feeds directly on a primary producer. Urchins are a primary consumer as they feed on kelp. See also heterotroph, food chain; compare secondary consumer.
Primary Producer
	The surface layer of the ocean that is penetrated by sunlight. The photic zone is the layer of the ocean that has been explored the most as it is relatively easy to access with conventional diving equipment. In the photic zone phytoplankton flourish and it is where the fish, marine mammals, and marine invertebrates that most people are familiar with are found. Light can penetrate down to approximately 200m which marks the end of the photic zone. Also referred to as the Sunlight Zone or the Epipelagic Zone
Primary Production
	Synthesis of organic matter by plants, which is the main source of energy and nutrition for other consumers in the ecosystem (e.g. herbivores). See also chemosynthesis, photosynthesis.
Processors
	People who purchase fish catches or prepare fish for sale
Protein
	A large class of nitrogenous organic molecules constructed from amino acids; they are essential to the functioning of all living tissue, and include large sub-classes of molecules such as enzymes and hormones
PSEP
	Puget Sound Estuary Protocols
PSGA
	Puget Sound Gillnetters Association
PSMFC
	Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
PSP
	Paralytic shellfish poison.
PSWQAT
	Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team
Quadrat
	An ecological sampling unit that consists of a square frame of known area. The quadrat is used for quantifying the number or percent cover of a given species within a given area. See also transect.
Random variable
	A variable whose values are random but whose statistical distribution is known.
RCW
	Regulatory Code of Washington
Recovery
	Improvement in the status of a listed species to the point at which listing is no longer appropriate.
Recruitment
	(1) Entry of new fish into a population, whether by reproduction or immigration; (2) Addition of new individuals to the fished component of a stock (because they have acquired the size, age, or location that makes them part of it.)
Redd
	A salmon nest, dug out of the gravel in the stream bed by the adult female
Regression analysis
	The use of regression to make quantitative predictions of one variable from the values of another.
Renewable Resource
	A resource that can be replenished through natural processes within a human life span, if it is soundly managed. Compare nonrenewable resource.
Reservoirs
	A natural or artificial pond or lake used for the storage and regulation of water.
Restoration
	Restoring or bringing back to a former place, station, or condition.
REUT
	Resource Enhancement and Utilization Technologies Division (Northwest Fisheries Science Center)
Riparian
	Living on or located on a river bank
RNA
	Ribonucleic acid. A nucleic acid that transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm; controls certain chemical processes in the cell.
Rock Sole
	Pleuronectes bilineatus
RSRP
	Recovery Science Review Panel.
S/MIME
	Secure Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions
Sablefish
	Anoplopoma fimbria
SAFE
	Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation - a document or set of documents that provides Councils with a summary of the most recent biological condition of species in the fishery management unit, and the social and economic condition of the recreational and commercial fishing interests and the fish processing industries. It summarizes, on a periodic basis, the best available scientific information concerning the past, present, and possible future condition of the stocks and fisheries being managed under federal regulation.
SAFMC
	South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
Salmo gairdneri
	Steelhead Trout
SARC
	Stock Assessment Review Committee.
Scales
	Thin, small, overlapping plates which protect the salmon's body. Scales grow in regular concentric patterns and can be used to determine the age and life history of a salmon
SCAN
	Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition (European Union)
Screens
	Used at Columbia River hydroelectric dams to guide fish away from turbine intakes and into juvenile bypass systems.
SDE
	Spatial Database Engine
Sebastes paucispinus
	Shelf Rockfish
Secondary Consumer
	A heterotrophic, carnivorous organism that feeds on a primary consumer. Herring feeding on zooplankton are an example of a secondary consumer. See also food chain, heterotroph, primary consumer.
Sediment
	Solid fragments of inorganic or organic material that come from the weathering of rock and are carried and deposited by wind, water, or ice.
Selection Pressure
	A measure of the effectiveness of natural selection in altering the genetic composition of a population. See also natural selection.
Semelparous
	Having only one reproductive or spawning period and dies after spawning.
sensory canal
	a branch of the lateral line that extends into the head of some fishes.
SEPA
	(Washington) State Environmental Policy Act
SEPA
	Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
Shelf Rockfish
	Sebastes paucispinus
SIC
	Standard Industrial Classification (Index)
Siliqua patula
	Pacific Razor Clam
Slope survey
	Bottom trawl surveys designed to provide information on distribution and abundance of demersal species, and other biological resource information.
SMA
	(Washington) Shoreline Management Act
Smolt
	Young salmon, migrating downstream from freshwater to saltwater. When parr become smolts, they lose their spots and turn silvery
Smoltification
	Suite of physiological, morphological, biochemical and behavioural changes, including development of the silvery color of adults and a tolerance for seawater, that take place in salmonid parr as they prepare to migrate downstream and enter the sea.
SMTP
	Secure Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions
Sockeye Salmon
	Oncorhynchus nerka; a species also known as red salmon. They have a dark blue-black back with silvery sides. There are no distinct spots on their backs, dorsal fins, or tails. The spawning adults develop dull, green colored heads with brick red to scarlet bodies. The male develops a hooked nose
Soft dorsal
	A dorsal fin containing only soft rays, or the soft rayed hind part of the dorsal fin if both spines and soft rays are present (as in perches).
Spawning
	To produce offspring in large numbers.
Specialist
	A species with a very narrow range in habitat or food requirements. For example, the Marbled Murrelet nests in old-growth forests on thick branches high up in the forest canopy. Compare generalist.
Speciation
	The evolution of one or more species from an existing species.
Species
	A group of organisms that differ from all other groups of organisms and that are capable of breeding and producing fertile offspring. This is the smallest unit of classification for plants and animals. Compare phylum.
Species abundance
	The total number of individual of a species within a given area or community. Compare species richness.
Species diversity
	A measure of both species abundance and species richness. An area that has a large number of species and many representative individuals from each species is more diverse than an area that has only a single species. See also biodiversity; compare ecosystem diversity, genetic diversity.
Species Richness
	The number of different species that exist within a given area or community. Compare species abundance.
SPR
	Spawning Potential Ratio - the number of eggs that could be produced by an average recruit in a fished stock, divided by the number of eggs that could be produced by an average recruit in an unfished stock. SPR can also be expressed as the spawning stock biomass per recruit (SSBR)
SSB
	Spawning Stock Biomass - the total weight of the fish in a stock that are old enough to spawn.
SSBR
	Spawning Stock Biomass Per Recruit - the spawning stock biomass divided by the number of recruits to the stock, or how much spawning biomass an average recruit would be expected to produce.
SSC
	Scientific and Statistical Advisory Committee - a group of scientific and technical people giving advice to a Council.
Status
	A state of affairs; situation.
Steelhead Trout
	Salmo gairdneri
Stellar Sea Lion
	Eumetopias jubastus
Stochastic
	probabilistic, or involving probabilities, chance, or random variables
Stranding
	To drive or run ashore or aground.
Straying
	To wander, as from a direct course; to deviate, or go out of the way.
Substrate
	The material upon or within which a plant or animal live or grows (e.g. rocky or sandy substrate). See also benthic.
Surimi
	Minced, processed fish used in the preparation of imitation seafood, especially imitation shellfish.
Sustainable
	A sustainable way of life is one in which human needs are met without diminishing the ability of other people, wild species, or future generations to survive.
Swim bladder
	A sac inside the salmon's body by which the fish can control buoyancy
Symbiosis
	An interaction between two different species where either both, one or neither of the organisms benefit from the relationship. Many symbiotic relationships are obligatory (e.g. tropical reef building corals and their algal symbiont).
Sympatric
	Occupying the same space but without interbreeding, as with closely related but distinct species
Systematics
	The area of biology that deals with the diversity of living organisms, their relationships to each other through evolution, and their classification. Can also be referred to as taxonomy.
TAPI
	Telephony Application Program Interface
Taxonomy
	The theory and practice of describing, naming and classifying plants and animals. See also systematics.
Thermocline
	The often sharply defined boundary between surface water and deeper, cooler water
Threatened
	A species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed. Compare endangered, extinct, extirpated, vulnerable.
Transect
	A straight line placed on the ground along which ecological measurements are taken. If an ecologist wanted to sample the diversity of intertidal organisms in the intertidal, he/she would place a number of transects perpendicular to the shore and take samples at predetermined interval lengths. See also quadrat.
Trophic
	Concerning feeding habits, food chains, or nutrition
Trophic levels
	The energy levels or steps in a food chain or food web
TRT
	Technical Recovery Team
USCG
	United States Coast Guard
USDA
	United States Department of Agriculture
USFWS
	United States Fish and Wildlife Service
USOFR
	United States Office of Federal Regulations
Ventral
	Underside (opposite of dorsal)
VMS
	Vessel Monitoring System
VSP
	Viable salmonid population, an independent population of any Pacific salmonid (genus Oncorhynchus) that has a negligible risk of extinction due to threats from demographic variation, local environmental variation, and genetic diversity changes over a 100- year time frame.
WAC
	(State of) Washington Administrative Code
Water cycle
	The continuous circulation of water from the atmosphere to the earth, including the ocean, and back to the atmosphere through condensation, precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration.
Watershed
	The region draining into a river, river system, or other body of water.
WDA
	State of Washington Department of Agriculture
WDF
	State of Washington Department of Fisheries (before 1991)
WDFW
	State of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
WDL
	State of Washington Department of Licensing
WDNR
	State of Washington Department of Natural Resources
WDOE
	State of Washington Department of Ecology
WFGA
	Washington Fish Growers Association
WHO
	World Health Organization (United Nations)
WMP
	(BC Canada) Waste Management Policy
WOC
	Washington, Oregon, and California
WPFMC
	Western Pacific Fishery Management Council.
WRAC
	Western Regional Aquaculture Center
WSGP
	Washington Sea Grant Program
Yolk sac
	An external pouch containing nutrients for the growing alevin. When the yolk sac is used up, the alevin is said to be "buttoned- up" and enters the fry stage
Zooplankton
	Animal component of the plankton that feed on phytoplankton and other zooplankton (primary consumers). Compare phytoplankton.
Zygote
	A fertilized egg. Or the diploid cell that results from the joining of two haploid gametes (sperm and egg) during sexual reproduction, that will cleave to form an embryo. See also fertilization, gamete.