Presentation Abstract
Alternative forms of migratory behavior can have substantial consequences for the growth, survival, and fitness of the individuals involved. Salmonids vary in the tendency of individuals to migrate to marine waters (anadromy) or remain in freshwater habitats. In addition, substantial variation in migratory patterns can exist among anadromous and resident species. This talk summarizes our use of hydroacoustic telemetry to investigate the movement patterns of anadromous Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha remaining in the marine waters of Puget Sound after ocean entry rather than continuing out to the coastal waters of the North Pacific Ocean, as is typical of the species. We then compared the movement patterns of Chinook salmon with those of a closely related species, coho salmon O. kisutch. Most (37 of 53 = 70%) Chinook salmon remained in Puget Sound (“residents”) and few of those left the region within Puget Sound where they were first captured, despite ready access to suitable habitat elsewhere. However, 30% of the individuals, termed transients, subsequently left Puget Sound and moved to the coastal Pacific Ocean. Residents and transients did not differ in initial body size, date or place of tagging, or rearing history (hatchery or wild). Combined with other sources of information, these data support the conclusion that Chinook and coho salmon display alternative forms of migratory behavior (resident and transient) that are best described as modes along a continuum rather than discrete categories. However, in both species the residents showed very limited movement within Puget Sound; this behavior affects their exposure to agents of natural mortality, fisheries, and other physiological processes such as the uptake of chemical contaminants.
Session Title
General species and food webs
Conference Track
Species and Food Webs
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Chinook salmon--Migration--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Movements of sub-adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in Puget Sound, Washington, as indicated by hydroacoustic tracking
2016SSEC
Alternative forms of migratory behavior can have substantial consequences for the growth, survival, and fitness of the individuals involved. Salmonids vary in the tendency of individuals to migrate to marine waters (anadromy) or remain in freshwater habitats. In addition, substantial variation in migratory patterns can exist among anadromous and resident species. This talk summarizes our use of hydroacoustic telemetry to investigate the movement patterns of anadromous Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha remaining in the marine waters of Puget Sound after ocean entry rather than continuing out to the coastal waters of the North Pacific Ocean, as is typical of the species. We then compared the movement patterns of Chinook salmon with those of a closely related species, coho salmon O. kisutch. Most (37 of 53 = 70%) Chinook salmon remained in Puget Sound (“residents”) and few of those left the region within Puget Sound where they were first captured, despite ready access to suitable habitat elsewhere. However, 30% of the individuals, termed transients, subsequently left Puget Sound and moved to the coastal Pacific Ocean. Residents and transients did not differ in initial body size, date or place of tagging, or rearing history (hatchery or wild). Combined with other sources of information, these data support the conclusion that Chinook and coho salmon display alternative forms of migratory behavior (resident and transient) that are best described as modes along a continuum rather than discrete categories. However, in both species the residents showed very limited movement within Puget Sound; this behavior affects their exposure to agents of natural mortality, fisheries, and other physiological processes such as the uptake of chemical contaminants.
