Evaluating the effects of hypoxia on coastal fish

Hypoxia refers to low dissolved oxygen and is an increasing problem for inhabitants of coastal waters.  Fish exposed to hypoxia may experience negative sub-lethal or lethal effects.   We develop, calibrate, and test a mathematical model for predicting the effects of fluctuating hypoxic exposures on individual fish growth, survival, and reproduction.  In addition, we construct an individual-based population model to predict population-level effects of growing hypoxic zones on fish in the Gulf of Mexico.  Results show that years of repeated severe hypoxia can lead to 20-40% reduction in fish population size over 100 years.