{
 "culture": "en-US",
 "name": "",
 "guid": "",
 "catalogPath": "",
 "snippet": "",
 "description": "These data represent the results of spawning habitat surveys for surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) and Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) conducted by WDFW and others along the marine shorelines of Washington State. Survey results have been summarized as presence or absence (lack of detectable) of spawn for each species and estimated length (parallel to shore) of suitable habitat (beach length). Survey effort has varied substantially since sampling began in the 1970s and site selection has been based on the presence of apparently suitable habitat, the ease of surveyor access, and site-specific construction requests. These data do not represent a uniform or representative sample of all available habitat types in the Puget Sound nearshore.Pacific sand lance and surf smelt, along with other smelts (family Osmeridae), Pacific herring (Clupea palasii), Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax), and northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), are collectively referred to as forage fish and are important prey for marine birds, mammals, and fish, including salmon, in Washington. Pacific sand lance and surf smelt spawn in the upper intertidal zone of beaches mostly composed of mixed sand and gravel substrates, and sometimes larger substrates. Finer-grained spawning substrates are susceptible to changes in beach sediment dynamics such as loss of source areas, interruption of along-shore transport, and increased wave energy that can reduce the suitability of available habitat. The accurate representation of forage fish spawning habitat and delivery of those data to public sources is necessary for the conservation of these species. These data represent more than 30 years of spawning habitat surveys.",
 "summary": "",
 "title": "Sand lance observed",
 "tags": [],
 "type": "",
 "typeKeywords": [],
 "thumbnail": "",
 "url": "",
 "minScale": 0,
 "maxScale": 0,
 "spatialReference": "",
 "accessInformation": "The majority of these data were collected by WDFW staff with contributions from the North Olympic Salmon Coalition and the Friends of the San Juans.",
 "licenseInfo": ""
}