The High Seas Salmon Research program was initiated by W.F. Thompson in 1953. Since then, the project has had several Principal Investigators and Project Leaders and has employed dozens of fisheries biologists and graduate students. The current crop of project members acknowledges the accomplishments and contributions of the many former members and thanks them for providing us with the databases and foundation we depend on to do our work.

School address and fax, and current program members are listed below. We can all be reached at the same address and fax number:

School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
University of Washington
Box 355020
Seattle, WA 98195-5020
FAX: (206) 685-7471

Kate MyersKatherine W. Myers (Kate)
Fisheries Biologist

(206) 543-1101
kwmyers@u.washington.edu

Robert "Trey" WalkerRobert V. Walker (Trey)
Fisheries Biologist

(206) 543-7281
rvwalker@u.washington.edu

Nancy DavisNancy D. Davis
Fisheries Biologist

(206) 543-7280
ncdd@u.washington.edu

Janet L. Armstrong (Jan)
Research Scientist

(206) 221-6848
(206) 221-5494
janeta@u.washington.edu



Professional Sketches

Katherine West Myers

Research Synposis

 

Katherine W. Myers is Principal Investigator of the long-term (1953-present) High Seas Salmon Research Program at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington.  The overarching goal of her research is to increase scientific knowledge of the biology and ecology of Pacific salmon and steelhead trout in the open ocean of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea through retrospective, field, laboratory, and computer modeling research in cooperation with other scientists in Canada, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States. 

A. Degrees

  

Ph.D. in Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, 1998
M.Sc. in Fisheries, Oregon State University, Corvallis, 1980
B.Sc. in Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, 1976


B. Appointments

 

2004—present

Principal Research Scientist and Principal Investigator, High Seas Salmon Research Program, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington

1999—2003

Principal Research Scientist and Co-Principal Investigator, University of Washington, High Seas Salmon Research Program

1987-1998

Principal Fisheries Biologist and Project Leader, University of Washington, High Seas Salmon Research Program

1984-1986

Senior Fisheries Biologist and Asst. Project Leader, University of Washington, High Seas Salmon Research Program

1981-1984

Fisheries Biologist, University of Washington, High Seas Salmon Research Program

1980

Research Aide 1, University of Washington, High Seas Salmon Research Program


C. Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications (5)

 

Armstrong, J.L., J.L. Boldt, A.D. Cross, J.H. Moss, N.D. Davis, K.W. Myers, R.V. Walker, D.A. Beauchamp, and L.J. Haldorson.  2005.  Distribution, size, and interannual, seasonal, and diel food habits of northern Gulf of Alaska juvenile pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha.  Deep Sea Research II 52: 247-265.

Brodeur, R.D., K.W. Myers, J.H. Helle. 2003. Research conducted by the United States on the early ocean life history of Pacific salmon. N. Pac. Anadr. Fish Comm. Bull. 3:89-131.

Kaeriyama, M., M. Nakamura, R. Edpalina, J.R. Bower, H. Yamaguchi, R.V. Walker, and K.W. Myers.  2004.  Change in feeding ecology and trophic dynamics of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) in the central Gulf of Alaska in relation to climate events.  Fish. Oceanogr. 13:197-207.

Quinn, T., and K.W. Myers.  2005.  Anadromy and the marine migrations of Pacific salmon and trout: Rounsefell revisited.  Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries.

Ruggerone, G.T., M. Zimmermann, K.W. Myers, J.L. Nielsen, and D.E. Rogers.  2003.  Competition between Asian pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and Alaskan sockeye salmon (O. nerka) in the North Pacific Ocean.  Fish. Oceanogr. 12:209-219.


D. Professional Activities/Awards (5)

Member, Committee on Review of Western Alaska (AYK) Research and Restoration Plan for Salmon, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Division of Earth and Life Sciences, National Research Council, The National Academies, September 2003-present

Distinguished Service Award, American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists, 2000

US Salmon Expert, North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission, Committee on Scientific Research and Statistics, 1993-present; US Member, Science Sub-Committee, 1998-2005; US Member Bering-Aleutian Salmon International Survey (BASIS) Working Group, 2001-present

Award for Excellence for Exemplary Service to the University of Washington, Professional Staff Organization, 1994, for leadership of the University of High Seas Salmon Research Program; Nominated by the School of Fisheries for the 1997 Distinguished Staff Group Award for Exemplary Service to the University of Washington

Citation for the most significant paper in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Volume 7, American Fisheries Society, 1988


Robert Victor Walker

A. Degrees

 

Ph.C. in Fisheries, University of Washington, 1981
M.S.T. in Biology, Cornell University, 1973
A.B. in Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 1971


B. Appointments

 

2001—present

Senior Fisheries Biologist, University of Washington, GAK Salmon (research grant funded by US GLOBEC/NSF); Trawl Chinook (research grant funded by Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association/NOAA), University of Washington

1987—present

Senior Fisheries Biologist, University of Washington, High Seas Salmon Research Program, Asst. Project Leader (research contract funded by NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratory)

1986-1987

Senior Fisheries Biologist, University of Washington, High Seas Salmon Research Program (research contract funded by NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratory)

1980-1986

Pre-Doctoral Research Associate, University of Washington, High Seas Salmon Research Program (research contract funded by NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratory)

1980

Research Assistant, University of Washington, Columbia River irrigation withdrawal study

1976-1978

Fisheries Biologist, St. Vincent, West Indies, small cetacean subsistence fishery

973-71974

Field Biologist, Fisheries Research Board, Canada, shore-based cetacean observation


C. Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications (5)

 

Aydin, K.Y., K.W. Myers, and R.V. Walker. 2000. Multiple-scale variation in oceanographic and biological processes in the Alaskan Gyre–consequences for maturing salmon growth and carrying capacity. N. Pac. Anadr. Fish Comm. Bull. 2.

Friedland, K.D., Walker, R.V., N.D. Davis, K.W. Myers, G. Boehlert, S. Urawa, and Y. Ueno. 2001. Open-ocean orientation and return migration routes of chum salmon based on temperature data from data storage tags. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

Walker, R.V., K.W. Myers, N.D. Davis, K.Y. Aydin, and K.D. Friedland. 2000. Using temperature data from data storage tags to model potential salmon growth. N. Pac. Anad. Fish. Comm. Bull. 2.

Walker, R.V., K.W. Myers, N.D. Davis, K.Y. Aydin, K.D. Friedland, H.R. Carlson, G. Boehlert, S. Urawa, Y. Ueno, and G. Anma. 2000. Diurnal variation in thermal environment experienced by salmonids in the North Pacific as indicated by data storage tags. Fish. Oceanogr. 9: 171-186.

Walker, R.V., K.W. Myers, and S. Ito. 1998. Growth studies from 1956-95 collections of pink and chum salmon scales in the central North Pacific Ocean. N. Pac. Anadr. Fish Comm. Bull. 1: 54-65.


D. Professional Activities/Awards (5)

US Salmon Expert, North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission, Committee on Scientific Research and Statistics, 1993, 1995, 1997-present; Research Planning and Coordinating Group, 1995, 1997-present; Ad-Hoc Working Group on Archival Tags, 1998-1999

US Salmon Expert, US-Russia Bilateral Meeting on North Pacific Salmon Resources, 1999

Nominated by the School of Fisheries for the 1997 Distinguished Staff Group Award for Exemplary Service to the University of Washington

US Salmon Expert, International North Pacific Fisheries Commission; Sub-Committee on Salmon, 1986-1992

Citation for the most significant paper in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Volume 7, American Fisheries Society, 1988


Nancy Drummond Davis

A. Degrees

 

Ph.D. in Fisheries, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, 2003
M.Sc. in Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, 1978
B.A. in Zoology, Drew University, Madison, 1976


B. Appointments

 

2001—present

Senior Fisheries Biologist, University of Washington, GAK Salmon (research grant funded by US GLOBEC/NSF); Trawl Chinook (research grant funded by Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association/NOAA)

1990—present

Senior Fisheries Biologist, University of Washington, High Seas Salmon Research Program (research contract funded by NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratory)

1983-1990

Fisheries Biologist, University of Washington, High Seas Salmon Research Program (research contract funded by NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratory)

1980-1982

Fisheries Biologist, Invertebrates and Marine Plants Section, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Private contract)

1978-1980

Biologist, Squid Observer Program, Wainwright Analytical and Marine Services, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada


C. Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications (5)

 

Abe, S., H. Kojima, N. Davis, T. Nomura, and S. Urawa.  2003.  Molecular identification of parental species in a salmonid hybrid caught in the central Bering Sea.  Fish Genetics and Breeding Science (Suisan Ikushu) 33:41-48. 

Armstrong, J.L., J.L. Boldt, A.D. Cross, J.H. Moss, N.D. Davis, K.W. Myers, R.V. Walker, D.A. Beauchamp, and L.J. Haldorson.  2005.  Distribution, size, and interannual, seasonal, and diel food habits of the northern Gulf of Alaska juvenile pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha.  Deep Sea Research II 52(1-2):247-265.

Cross, A.D., D.A. Beauchamp, J.L. Armstrong, M. Blikshteyn, J.L. Boldt, N.D. Davis, L.J. Haldorson, J.H. Moss, K.W. Myers, and R.V. Walker.  2005.  Consumption demand of juvenile pink salmon in Prince William Sound and the coastal Gulf of Alaska in relation to prey biomass.  Deep Sea Res. II 52(1-2):347-370.

Davis, N.D., K.Y. Aydin, and Y. Ishida.  2000.  Diel feeding habits of sockeye, pink, and chum salmon in the central Bering Sea.  N. Pac. Anad. Fish Comm. Bull 2:99-109.

Tanaka, H., Y. Naito, N.D. Davis, S. Urawa, H. Ueda, and M. Fukuwaka.  In press.  First record of swimming speed of a Pacific salmon undertaking oceanic migration from the central Bering Sea to the Japanese coast.  Marine Ecology Progress Series.


D. Professional Activities/Awards (5)

US Salmon Expert, North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission, Research Planning and Coordinating Meetings, 1995-present; Committee on Scientific Research and Statistics, 1995, 1997; Member, Methodology Standardization Working Group, 1996-1999

Nominated by the School of Fisheries for the 1997 Distinguished Staff Group Award for Exemplary Service to the University of Washington

US Salmon Expert, Sub-Committee on Salmon, International North Pacific Fisheries Commission 1987, 1989

Scientific expert for US National Marine Fisheries Service, Law Enforcement Div. and US Coast Guard for species, age, and stock identification of salmon taken in unauthorized high seas fisheries, 1984-present; Certificate of Recognition for assistance with species and stock identification of salmon illegally caught by Taiwanese fishermen, US Dept. of Commerce, 1990

Citation for the most significant paper in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Volume 7, American Fisheries Society, 1988


Janet Leigh Armstrong

A. Degrees

  

M.Sc. in Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 1991
B.Sc. in Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, 1970


B. Appointments

 

2000-present

Research Scientist, University of Washington, Bering Sea Salmon Food Habits (co-PI Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association, Fisheries Disaster Relief Program, Alaska NOAA grant award),GAK Salmon (research funded by US GLOBEC/ NSF), Gulf of Alaska Pink salmon diet analysis; Trawl Chinook (research grant funded by Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association/NOAA), Chinook salmon stock delineation.

 

1993-1999

Fisheries Consultant, Self-employed with AQUATIC RESEARCH CONSULTANTS SERVICES. Contracts included Prince William Sound Oil Impact Assessment Study (from Exxon Oil Company), sequential stock collapses under high fishing pressure in the Gulf of Alaska; Tribal Shellfish Resources Utilization Study (from Evergreen Legal Services and the U.S. Dept. of Justice) Washington State tribal shellfishing rights; Bering Sea King, Tanner and Snow crab Draft Environmental Impact Statement, 2001 (from NOAA/ NMFS), EIS regarding Snow and Tanner crab in the Bering Sea; ARCO Sunfish Project (from Dinnel Marine Research), diets of out migrating salmonid smolts, Cook Inlet, AK.

 

1991-1992

Fishery Biologist II, University of Washington, Prince William Sound Oil Impact Assessment Study (research grant funded by Exxon Oil Company), effects of oil on crab and shrimp populations in PWS; Tribal Shellfish Resource Utilization Study (research grant funded by Evergreen Legal Services and the U.S. Dept. of Justice), tribal fishers shellfishing rights.

 

1988-1990

Research Assistant, University of Washington, Prince William Sound Oil Spill Impact Assessment Study (funded by Exxon Oil Company), plankton analysis; Dredge Assessment Study in Grays Harbor, WA. (funded by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), fish and Dungeness crab population dynamics; Padilla Bay Marine Sanctuary Fish Study, fish community and fish diet analysis.

 

1987-1988

Graduate Student, University of Washington, School of Fisheries.

 

1980-1986

Fishery Biologist, University of Washington, Juvenile Red King Crab Project, Blue King Crab Project, and Bering Sea Crab Larvae Project (all funded by NOAA/NMFS/OCSEAP), plankton analysis.


C. Recent Peer Reviewed Publications

 

Armstrong, J.L., J.L. Boldt, A.D. Cross, J.H. Moss, N.D.Davis, K.W. Myers, R.V. Walker, D.A. Beauchamp, and L.J. Haldorson. 2005. Distribution, size and interannual, seasonal and diel food habits of northern Gulf of Alaska juvenile pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha. Page 247-265 in H.P. Batchelder, E.J. Lessard, P.T. Strub, and T.J. Weingartner (eds.). U.S. GLOBEC Biological and Physical Studies of Plankton, Fish and Higher Trophic Level Production, Distribution, and Variability in the Northeast Pacific. Deep Sea Research Part II, Special issue 52(1-2).

Brodeur, R.D., E.A. Daly, M.V. Sturdevant, T.W. Miller, J.H. Moss, M. Thiess, M. Trudel, L.A. Weitkamp, J.L. Armstrong, and E.C. Norton. 2007. Regional comparisons of juvenile salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) feeding in coastal marine waters off the West Coast of North America. In C. Grimes (ed.), Proceedings of the American Fisheries Society 135th Annual Meeting: Ocean Ecology of Salmon in Western North America: Regional Comparisons. AFS Symposium 57, Bethesda, Maryland.

Cross, A.D., D.A. Beauchamp, J.L. Armstrong, J.L. Boldt, N.D. Davis, L.J. Haldorson, J.M. Moss, K.W. Myers, and R.V. Walker. 2005. Consumption demand of juvenile pink salmon in Prince William Sound and the coastal Gulf of Alaska in relation to prey biomass. Deep Sea Research Part II. 52(1-2):347-370.

Orensanz, J.M., J.L. Armstrong, D. Armstrong, and R. Hilborn. 1998. Crustacean resources are vulnerable to serial depletion - the multifaceted decline of crab and shrimp fisheries in the Greater Gulf of Alaska. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries. 8:117-176.

Armstrong, J.L., D.A. Armstrong, and S. Mathews. 1995. Food habits of estuarine staghorn sculpin, Leptocottus armatus, with focus on consumption of juvenile Dungeness crab, Cancer magister. Fish. Bull. 93:456-470.

Orensanz, J.M., A. M. Parma, D.A. Armstrong, J.L. Armstrong and P.Wardrup. 1995. The breeding ecology of Cancer gracilis Dana (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA: CANCRIDAE) and the mating systems of cancrid crabs. J of Zool. Lond. 235:411-437.

Armstrong, D.A., P.A. Dinnel, J.M. Orensanz, J.L. Armstrong, T.L. McDonald, R.F. Cusimano, R.S. Nemeth, M.L. Landolt, J.R. Skalski, R.F.Lee, and R.J. Huggett. 1993. Status of selected bottomfish and crustacean species in Prince William Sound following the Exxon Valdez oil spill., pp. 485-547, IN: P.G. Wells, J. N. Butler and J. S. Hughes (eds.), Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: Fate and Effects in Alaskan Waters, ASTM STP 1219, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Penn. 1995.