A researcher extracts otoliths (inner ear bones) from salmon. Otoliths are sensitive to gravity and acceleration and help fish navigate by giving movement and directional cues.
NPS
Alaskan waters support an abundance of fish species--marine, freshwater, and anadromous (fish that migrate from salt water to freshwater to spawn, such as salmon). Fish are a cornerstone for Alaska's ecosystems, since fish are important food sources to wildlife and people, and provide nutrients to freshwater habitats.
