Alan Maywood Courtright

'Red Feed' in Channel

By Alan M. Courtright
April 11, 1967
Juneau Alaska Empire

(Photo by Richard Wallen, Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game)

Millions - Waters near the Alaska Coastal dock recently attracted local attention as millions of Euphausid Krill concentrated near the surface among the pilings.

(Photo by Richard Wallen, Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game)

Vital Link - The Euphausids, reproduced here approximately life size, are a vital link in many food chain systems of the sea. The movements of fish and whales are influenced by the distribution of these and similar tine marine organisms collectively known as "Krill."

(Photo by Richard Wallen, Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game)

Important - These tiny creatures are unknown to many Alaskans, but they are of critical importance to our commercial fisheries as they are a vital food species to herring and salmon.

Residents of the Gastineau Channel Area have recently reported seeing millions of tiny shrimp-like crustaceans swarming in large concentrations along the waterfront. Fisheries Biologist Tom Richardson of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game says that these little pink creatures, about as long as a fingernail, are Euphausids, commonly called "krill" or "red feed" by local fishermen.

The biologist pointed out that Euphausids are a very important part of the plankton of colder waters and occur in tremendous numbers, often coloring the sea a reddish hue. Herring, cod, hake, salmon, and many other fish feed extensively on these creatures. Known to whalers as krill, these little animals are the chief food of the whale-bone whales. The stomach of a single Blue whale has been recorded to contain over 300 gallons of krill, Richardson said, and the world's largest animal is largely dependent upon this tiny crustacean for its sustenance. The biologist stated that Euphausids are commonly called red feed in Southeastern Alaska and are economically important as a valuable food source for herring and immature salmon. Sockeye or red salmon feed largely on Euphausids while maturing in the North Pacific Ocean, he said.

Another interesting characteristic of the little Euphausid is its bright luminescence, Richardson said. "When a ship disturbs them, they glow for minutes at a time, making waves visible far astern."

The swarming creatures are individually almost invisible except for their black eyes and slight pink color. A bucket dipped into the water near the Alaska Coastal dock yesterday yielded thousands of them for photographing by Fish and Game Department biologist R. T. Wallen.