Population-specific ranges of oceanic migration for adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) documented using pop-up satellite archival tags

Pop-up satellite archival tags identified differences in oceanic migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) kelts from three distinct Canadian populations. Kelts from two endangered populations were restricted to coastal areas near home rivers, whereas kelts from a persisting nearby population migra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic sciences 2013-07, Vol.70 (7), p.1011-1030
Main Author: LACROIX, Gilles L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal populations
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Atlantic salmon
Behavior
Biological and medical sciences
Exploitation and management of natural biological resources (hunting, fishing and exploited populations survey, etc.)
Fish migration
Fishes
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Habitats
Marine
Migration
Salmo salar
Salmon
Water temperature
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Summary:Pop-up satellite archival tags identified differences in oceanic migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) kelts from three distinct Canadian populations. Kelts from two endangered populations were restricted to coastal areas near home rivers, whereas kelts from a persisting nearby population migrated to the Labrador Sea and towards the Flemish Cap. Kelts spent most time near the surface (0–5 m), but coastal migrants undertook repeated daytime dives (10–40 m), associated with feeding, upon marine entry and progress was slow (8–23 km·day −1 ). Distant migrants moved rapidly along the continental shelf (10–50 km·day −1 ) against prevailing ocean currents, remaining near the surface, except for deep dives (100–1000 m) when crossing ocean channels and at the shelf edge. Home range water temperatures (0–15 °C) indicated that kelts avoided warmer adjacent areas in summer. Kelts did not avoid cold coastal habitat (0–5 °C) in winter, but avoided the surface layers. Kelt migration mimicked that of postsmolts of similar origins, with water temperature acting as a directive or controlling factor. Containment of kelts from endangered populations in coastal habitat was probably responsible for the disappearance of repeat spawners.
ISSN:0706-652X
1205-7533
DOI:10.1139/cjfas-2013-0038