Accurately model coastal circulation in the Gulf of Alaska and its effects on commercially important fish and their prey. Arrows indicate typical paths of pre-spawning adults, larvae, and early juvenile starges.
Inset map shows regional circulation.
Hatched area indicates region of spawning. These years span a broad range of wind, runoff and recruitment conditions. Measured interannual differences in pollock larval density are captured by the individual-based model. Weaker advection in 1989 led to a higher concentration of larvae near the exit of Shelikof Strait in mid-May, relative to 1987. Current meter locations are indicated at the top.