The following questions were asked when formulating our 
research plans. In this summary, the questions are placed 
within the context of the Office of Marine Pollution Assessment* 
Research Program Conceptual Organization (Figure 1): 
Anthropogenic Activities 
1. Which pollutants are potentially impacting our marine 
resources, including fisheries? 
2. What are the sources of these pollutants? 
Marine Ecosystem Processes 
3. What are the interactive effects of the pollutants on 
fishes? How are they related to other ecosystem pro¬ 
cesses, such as variation in outflow and diversion? 
Consequences Attribute to Anthropogenic Activities 
4. Are there effects on fish attributable to chronic pol¬ 
lutant exposures? 
5. If so, what are the effects and which measurements pro¬ 
vide the most sensitive and specific assessment of 
them? 
6. Are the effects reversible? Are there either short¬ 
term or long-term irreversible effects on individuals 
and populations? 
Judgemental Processes 
7. What are the quantitative reductions in populations in 
growth, reproduction, and survival attributable to 
pollutants? 
8. Can these effects be predicted? 
9. What recommendations based on our results can be made 
to management and regulators for the decisions neces¬ 
sary to regulate anthropogenic activities deleteriously 
affecting fisheries? 
Other Compartments 
10. Other compartments in the conceptual representation 
Figure 1 are within the purview of management 
*0MPA is now the Ocean Assessment Division of the National Ocean¬ 
ic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 
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