| Summary: | Capelin Mallotus villosus is a marine Arctic forage fish that, as an indicator species, responds quickly to environmental fluctuations; however, little is known about Capelin in Alaskan waters. The objective of this study was to better understand the distribution and life history of spawning Capelin in northern Norton Sound, Alaska. The dataset is compiled in 13 separate .csv files, each with clearly defined columns for the data, and one GPS (.kml) file of aerial survey data. Local traditional knowledge (LTK) information of historical capelin spawning areas was collected in November 2017 and aerial surveys were conducted from May through July 2018 to locate and estimate the size of offshore Capelin aggregations prior to spawning, identify the location and timing of spawning events, characterize spawning habitat, and collect actively spawning fish to examine life-history characteristics. Data consisted of 1. LTK of capelin spawning frequency, areas, and behavior in Nome and the villages of Brevig Mission and Elim were collected using semi-structured interviews, 2. spawning aggregation size, location, and timing from aerial surveys along the shoreline from, 3. spawning habitat characteristics and egg density using core samplers, 4. capelin size and age structure by sex, and 5. capelin reproductive biology (e.g., gonadosomatic index by sex and fecundity). Sediment samples were separated from deposited eggs in the laboratory using graded sieves and quantified by size, and eggs were counted and examined for stage of development. Capelin samples were identified by sex, measured for total length and wet mass, and otoliths were removed for aging. Gonads were removed, weighed (ratio of gonad mass to body mass = gonadosomatic index), and eggs were counted for fecundity estimated for females. Capelin samples from this project have been preserved in the Museum of the North and can be found here: http://arctos.database.museum/saved/Ressel_Sutton_Mallotus_villosus_NPRB
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