Availability to Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) of a seasonal prey resource: a prespawning aggregation of eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus)

Abstract

The availability of seasonally abundant energy-rich prey can be a significant factor for the survival and reproductive success of predator populations. Large numbers of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) were attracted to a prespawning aggregation of eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) in Berners Bay in southeast Alaska during April–May in 2002 and 2003. Sea lion abundance increased as eulachon gathered in Berners Bay, peaked as eulachon abundance peaked, and decreased as the eulachon moved up-river. As sea lion abundance increased in Berners Bay, sea lion abundance decreased at Benjamin Island, a sea lion haulout located 22 km away. The eulachon provided an abundant, energy-rich, predictable prey source for the Steller sea lions: (i) eulachon energy density was 9.70 ± 0.24 kJ·g–1, much higher than that of any forage species reported in the North Pacific Ocean except northern lampfish (Stenobrachius leucopsarus); (ii) a large surplus of prey was available per sea lion while the eulachon aggregation was present; and (iii) the spawning run usually begins between late April and early May. The eulachon pulse may be critical to Steller sea lions during a period of high energetic demands.