Factors influencing the behavior and duration of residence of adult Chinook salmon in a stratified estuary

The duration of residence, behavior, and thermal experience of adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in a stratified lagoon-type estuary over a four-year period was determined using acoustic and radio biotelemetry transmitters and archival temperature tags. Results did not support the hypothesis that adult Chinook salmon would hold extensively and migrate slowly through the estuarine lagoon with return trips to the sea and use of the salt wedge for behavioral thermo-osmoregulation in response to high summer water temperatures. Passive tidal transport was not observed as predicted and entry from the sea to the estuarine lagoon occurred during all tidal phases suggesting that conserving energy was not a priority for fish during the estuarine phase of their migration. An unexpected finding was that the persistent pursuit pressure of pinnipeds, especially from California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), appeared to negate the suitability of estuarine lagoon as holding habitat. This finding led to the hypothesis that the risk of pinniped predation was primarily responsible for the brief residence (<24 h on average) and rapid migration (mean 1.2 km/h, 0.42 body lengths/s) of adult Chinook salmon in the estuarine lagoon, especially given its relatively small size (7 km). This hypothesis will be difficult to test without exclusion of pinnipeds. Thermal records of fish that retreated back to the sea after tagging suggested that use of the marine river plume could be important for osmotic adaption to allow rapid migration through estuaries, which often contain concentrations of predators anticipating the return of migrating salmon. Alternatively, use of the marine river plume could have occurred independent of predators. Fish retreating back to the sea should be considered a tagging effect as downstream movement commonly occurs when adult salmonids are released after tagging. There was no evidence of any other tagging effects or biased behavior by fish tagged in this study. Regardless of the reasons, the successful migration of fish that held for weeks in the sea after tagging indicates that there could be considerable flexibility in the river entry timing of some salmon stocks. Tagging adult salmonids in the sea as they approach their natal rivers is ideal but the associated logistical challenges and expense make tagging fish immediately upon entrance to river mouths the next best option when possible.     

Thermal biology and bioenergetics of different upriver migration strategies in a stock of summer-run Chinook salmon

By combining biotelemetry with animal-borne thermal loggers, we re-created the thermal histories of 21 summer-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) migrating in the Puntledge River, a hydropower impacted river system on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Daily maximum water temperatures in the Puntledge River during the summer-run adult Chinook salmon migration and residency period frequently exceeded 21 °C, a value that has been observed to elicit behavioral thermoregulation in other Chinook salmon populations. We therefore compared river temperatures to body temperatures of 16 fish that migrated through the river to understand if cool-water refuge was available and being used by migrants. In addition, we used thermal histories from fish and thermal loggers distributed in the river to model the effect of thermal habitat on energy density using a bioenergetics model. In general, we found no evidence that cool-water refuge existed in the river, suggesting that there is no opportunity for fish to behaviorally thermoregulate during upriver migration through the regulated portion of the river. Of the thermal histories used in the bioenergetics model, fish that reached an upstream lake were able to access cooler, deeper waters, which would have reduced energy consumption compared to fish that only spent time in the warmer river. Consequently, the Puntledge River water temperatures are likely approaching and in some cases exceeding the thermal limits of the summer-run Chinook salmon during the spawning migration. Further warming may cause more declines in the stock.     

Steroid hormones in the regulation of migration in fishes (study of the Russian sturgeon)

Serum steroids profiles were determined at different stages of the migratory cycle of Russian sturgeon. In the sea period, before gonads maturation cortisol and sex steroids levels were comparatively low. Elevation of cortisol and testosterone concentrations occurred at the stage of preparation to migration. Significant increase of cortisol and testosterone levels happened at the beginning of the river period of anadromous migration in spring both in the spring forms near to maturity in this period and in the winter forms which were far from maturity. By exception of the river period of anadromous migration of the winter form and sexual cycle completion in the fish farm in the mouth of river (10-11 months), serum cortisol and testosterone concentrations dropped sharply. The data obtained as well as the data on other diadromous fishes indicate a possible role of steroids, especially cortisol and testosterone, in metabolism and migration regulation in sturgeons.     

Diel movements of out-migrating Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) smolts in the Sacramento/San Joaquin watershed

We used ultrasonic telemetry to describe the movement patterns of late-fall run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead trout (O. mykiss) smolts during their entire emigration down California’s Sacramento River, through the San Francisco Bay Estuary and into the Pacific Ocean. Yearling hatchery smolts were tagged via intracoelomic surgical implantation with coded ultrasonic tags. They were then released at four upriver locations in the Sacramento River during the winters of 2007 through 2010. Late-fall run Chinook salmon smolts exhibited a nocturnal pattern of migration after release in the upper river. This is likely because individuals remain within a confined area during the day, while they become active at night and migrate downstream. The ratio between night and day detections of Chinook salmon smolts decreased with distance traveled downriver. There was a significant preference for nocturnal migration in every reach of the river except the Estuary. In contrast, steelhead smolts, which reside upriver longer following release, exhibited a less pronounced diel pattern during their entire migration. In the middle river, Delta, and Estuary, steelhead exhibited a significant preference for daytime travel. In the ocean Chinook salmon preferred to travel at night, yet steelhead were detected on the monitors equally during the night and day. These data show that closely related Oncorhynchus species, with the same ontogenetic pattern of out-migrating as yearlings, vary in migration tactic.     

Temporal characteristics of downstream migration of smolts of the European river lamprey <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lampetra fluviatilis</Emphasis> in the Chernaya River

Data on the seasonal and diurnal dynamics of downstream migration of smolts of the European river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis are obtained. On the basis of published data and surveys in nature, it is shown that in the largest part of the area the downstream migration of smolts occurs mainly in spring, in the period of high water in rivers caused by snow melting. The smolts undertake downstream migration at night, under minimal illumination. It has been determined experimentally that the smolts are characterized by negative photopreferendum (>90% of smolts preferred illumination <0.4 lx).     

Investigations of spawning migration and assessment of abundance of the Kamchatka steelhead (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Parasalmo mykiss</Emphasis>) from the Utkholok River by means of Didson dual-frequency identification sonar

Quantative estimates of abundance of anadromous Kamchatka steelhead Parasalmo mykiss in the period of its maximum spawning migration in the shallow Utkholok River by the instrumental method using Didson dual-frequency identification sonar are presented. Equipment and methods are described for the stationary observation of spawning run of Kamchatka steelhead through the river cross section and mobile surveys of the water area of the Utkholok R. As a result of stationary observations, the abundance and size composition of Kamchatka steelhead migrating to the upper reaches of the river are determined. Peculiarities of the diurnal dynamics of migration of Kamchatka steelhead characterized by two sharp peaks of run intensity in the morning and evening were revealed. During the period of observations from September 22 to October 20, 2007, in the seasonal dynamics of migration two peaks of intensity of run of Kamchatka steelhead depending on an abrupt decrease in water temperature by 2°C were also registered. Mobile surveys supplied data on the abundance and size composition of Kamchatka steelhead in the surveyed water area of the river, on its spatial distribution, and dynamics of accumulation of fish in the river. The abundance of Kamchatka steelhead in the river almost doubled every three-four days and the spatial distribution was aggregated, producing maximum concentration mainly in areas of increasing depth and channel meandering before and after riffles. Comparison of the results of assessment of abundance of Kamchatka steelhead that arrived for spawning in 2006 and 2007 showed significant fluctuations in population abundance.     

Can the risk of parasite infection in fish cause the ecological differentiation in the population of roach Rutilus rutilus (Cyprinidae)?

Population characteristics of macroparasite infection (prevalence and intensity) in juvenile roach Rutilus rutilus have been studied in one of the tributaries of the Rybinsk Reservoir. The level of infection and parasite diversity is higher in the mouth part than in the upper reaches of the river. Habitats in the upper reaches are characterized by a high degree of irregularity of the risk of infection. The intensity of parasitic infection varies from the absence of parasites to 100% infection. Our data confirm the hypothesis about adaptaive value of the spawning migration to habitats with lower risk for the infection of offspring with parasites. Heterogeneous conditions in the upper reaches of the river make it possible for juvenile fish from a migrating part of the population to grow in relatively safe conditions. Differences in the strategy of the spawning migration can be based on the ecological differentiation as a result of which the groups oriented either at the local adaptation or at migration to the other habitat are formed in the population.     

The effects of water temperature on the migration of smolts of the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.

The dependence of the duration of downstream migration of smolts of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) on water temperature of the Lyl’ok River, a tributary of the Iokan’ga River (Kola Peninsula) is considered. It is shown that the duration of the migration of smolts depends on temperature conditions of the river in the second to third ten-day periods of July. An increase in the number of days with a daily average temperature over 20°C causes the deterioration of the physiological state of fish, the retardation of their linear growth, and a decrease in the intensity of migration, which results in a delayed stay in the river of smolts, shift of the dates of termination of migration, and an increase of its total duration. Nevertheless, smolts migrating from the river in August to September are ready to pass to life in the sea.     

Variation in growth performance of Ryukyu-ayu, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis</Emphasis>, inferred from otolith analysis

Ryukyu-ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis) is an amphidromous fish species that migrates between the sea and rivers over its one-year life span. Although growth performance during the early marine stage may affect growth in the later riverine stage of this species’ life cycle, no studies have specifically examined this relationship in P. a. ryukyuensis. In the present study, we reconstructed the growth trajectories of P. a. ryukyuensis individuals collected from the Yakugachi River, Amami-Oshima Island, Japan in 2016 (n?=?47) throughout their growth period in both the sea and river by using otolith analysis. Using this, we determined the age and body size of individuals at the time of their upstream migration, as well as their growth rates during the marine and riverine stages. Results showed that body size at upstream migration significantly affected body size at the riverine stage, indicating that juveniles with larger body size in the sea had better growth performance in the river. Individuals with higher growth rates during the marine stage tended to enter the river younger and at larger body sizes than those with lower marine growth rates. Our results demonstrated the close linkage between the growth performance in the sea and in rivers of P. a. ryukyuensis. This information will contribute to better understanding variations in growth patterns of this endangered species and potentially aid in its conservation.     

Rheoreaction type of early juveniles of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka in the Ozernaya River and Lake Kurilskoe

Rheoreaction of early juveniles of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka is experimentally investigated, including different spatial groups (denatant migrants, contranatant migrants, specimens living in bays and at closed river banks, juveniles from the coastal zone of the lake). Investigation is made in water of the river flowing from the lake and in water of the stream flowing into the lake. It is shown that the rheoreaction (the type of rheoreaction) is one of behavioral mechanisms performing feeding migration of early juveniles of sockeye salmon. Contranatant migrants that reached the feeding lake retain the positive type of rheoreaction, which favors the exit of juveniles from the zone of discharge exclusion and prevents the drift of juveniles to the river at night at poorer conditions for orientation. Juveniles placed into the water of the inflowing stream manifest a sharply negative rheoreaction type contributing to their rapid lakeward migration for feeding. In water of two steams (taking its beginning in the lake and flowing into it) such type of rheoreaction is observed which ensures migration of sockeye juveniles to their principal feeding water body-Lake Kurilskoe.     

Pacific salmon in hot water: applying aerobic scope models and biotelemetry to predict the success of spawning migrations

Concern over global climate change is widespread, but quantifying relationships between temperature change and animal fitness has been a challenge for scientists. Our approach to this challenge was to study migratory Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), fish whose lifetime fitness hinges on a once-in-a-lifetime river migration to natal spawning grounds. Here, we suggest that their thermal optimum for aerobic scope is adaptive for river migration at the population level. We base this suggestion on several lines of evidence. The theoretical line of evidence comes from a direct association between the temperature optimum for aerobic metabolic scope and the temperatures historically experienced by three Fraser River salmon populations during their river migration. This close association was then used to predict that the occurrence of a period of anomalously high river temperatures in 2004 led to a complete collapse of aerobic scope during river migration for a portion of one of the sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) populations. This prediction was corroborated with empirical data from our biotelemetry studies, which tracked the migration of individual sockeye salmon in the Fraser River and revealed that the success of river migration for the same sockeye population was temperature dependent. Therefore, we suggest that collapse of aerobic scope was an important mechanism to explain the high salmon mortality observed during their migration. Consequently, models based on thermal optima for aerobic scope for ectothermic animals should improve predictions of population fitness under future climate scenarios.     

Polymorphism of smolts of pink salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchs gorbuscha</Emphasis> in the Indera River (Kola Peninsula)

Pink salmon introduced into the White Sea started to exploit as spawning grounds middle and upper reaches of the river 20 years after its appearance in the Indera River. As a result of this, the migration pathway of smolts and late smolts appeared in addition to early smolts. The intraspecies polymorphism of smolts is confirmed by differences of early and late smolts by body length and weight, migration dates, food spectrum, and indices of stomach fullness. The food spectra of late juveniles of pink salmon coincide with those of parr of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and of brown trout S. trutta. Greater abundance of late migrants of pink salmon may cause competition of these species for food.     

Migrating silver eels return from the sea to the river of origin after a false start

The European eel''s singular spawning migration from European waters towards the Sargasso Sea remains elusive, including the early phase of migration at sea. During spawning migration, the movement of freshwater resident eels from river to sea has been thought to be irreversible. We report the first recorded incidents of eels returning to the river of origin after spending up to a year in the marine environment. After migrating to the Baltic Sea, 21% of the silver eels, tagged with acoustic transmitters, returned to the Narva River. Half returned 11–12 months after moving to the sea, with 15 km being the longest upstream movement. The returned eels spent up to 33 days in the river and migrated to the sea again. The fastest specimen migrated to the outlet of the Baltic Sea in 68 days after the second start—roughly 1300 km. The surprising occurrence of returning migrants has implications for sustainable management and protection of this critically endangered species.     

Potential Effects of Hydroelectric Dam Development in the Mekong River Basin on the Migration of Siamese Mud Carp (Henicorhynchus siamensis and H. lobatus) Elucidated by Otolith Microchemistry

The migration of Siamese mud carp (Henicorhynchus siamensis and H. lobatus), two of the most economically important fish species in the Mekong River, was studied using an otolith microchemistry technique. Fish and river water samples were collected in seven regions throughout the whole basin in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia over a 4 year study period. There was coherence between the elements in the ambient water and on the surface of the otoliths, with strontium (Sr) and barium (Ba) showing the strongest correlation. The partition coefficients were 0.409–0.496 for Sr and 0.055 for Ba. Otolith Sr-Ba profiles indicated extensive synchronized migrations with similar natal origins among individuals within the same region. H. siamensis movement has been severely suppressed in a tributary system where a series of irrigation dams has blocked their migration. H. lobatus collected both below and above the Khone Falls in the mainstream Mekong exhibited statistically different otolith surface elemental signatures but similar core elemental signatures. This result suggests a population originating from a single natal origin but bypassing the waterfalls through a passable side channel where a major hydroelectric dam is planned. The potential effects of damming in the Mekong River are discussed.     

Return migration of one‐sea‐winter Atlantic salmon in the River Tana

Fifty‐three one‐sea‐winter Atlantic salmon Salmo salar (45–63 cm L _T) were radio‐tagged in the Tana fjord, Barents Sea, in 1995. Thirty‐seven fish (70%) entered the freshwater zone of the River Tana in an average of 3 days after release in the fjord. The migration speeds in the lowest river section below the first riffle area were significantly higher than in the subsequent river section below the second riffle area. Similarly, the observed time spent in the first riffle area was significantly lower than in the next riffle area. The majority of Atlantic salmon entered the river during the hours of high tide and the subsequent ebb tide. In addition, most river entries were recorded around midnight. No effects of river flow on the river entry or migration speed were detected, but the migration speed of Atlantic salmon in both river sections examined was greater at lower temperatures. Twenty‐eight fish (72%) were recaptured in the river, 71% of them with weirs and gillnets, and 29% by rod and line. Over half of the Atlantic salmon (54%) were recaptured within 3 weeks following river entry, and within the first 100 km of the river (56%). The results are discussed in relation to earlier studies on multi‐sea‐winter Atlantic salmon in the River Tana.     

Upstream passage problems for wild Atlantic salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo salar</Emphasis> L.) in a regulated river and its effect on the population

Due to hydropower development, the upstream migration of wild anadromous salmon and brown trout is impaired in many European rivers, causing negative effects on the long-term survival of natural salmonid populations. This study identified problems for Atlantic salmon during upstream migration in a regulated river in northern Sweden, Umeälven (mean flow: 430 m³ s^?1). Tagging from 1995 to 2005 involved radio tags (n = 503), PIT tags (n = 1574) and Carlin tags (n = 573) to study the spawning migration of salmon from the coast past the regulated section of the river to a fish ladder at the dam/spillway 32 km upriver. The results demonstrate that migration success from the coast to the fish ladder varied between 0% and 47% among years, indicating an average loss of 70% of potential spawners. Discharge from the turbines attracted the salmon away from the bypass route. Echo-sounding in the turbine outlet showed that salmon were normally found at 1–4 m depths. They responded with upstream and/or downstream movements depending on flow changes; increased spill in the bypass channel attracted salmon to the bypass. Once in the bypass channel, salmon could be delayed and had difficulties passing the first rapid at high spills. Additional hindrances to upstream migration were found at rapids and the area of the fish ladder, located further upstream in the regulated river section. The average migration duration was 44 days from the estuary to the top of the fish ladder, with large variation among individuals within years. Modelling the salmon population dynamics showed a potential population increase of 500% in 10 years if the overall migration success could be improved from the current 30% to levels near 75%. Consequently improved migration facilities at the regulated river section should be implemented to achieve a long-term sustainability of these threatened anadromous salmonids.     

River‐lake migration of fishes in the Dongting Lake area of the Yangtze floodplain

Over the past few decades, fish resources have declined severely owing to the river–lake disconnection within the Yangtze River floodplain. Studies on fish migrations between rivers and floodplain waters are imperative for fish resources restoration and lake management. However, few studies have as yet documented the migration rhythms of river–lake migratory fishes. Monthly investigations of the fish assemblage structure were conducted in three regions of the Dongting Lake, which is connected to the Yangtze River. Main results were: (i) Fish catches varied greatly, depending on the water level and area of the lake; (ii) Ten river–lake migratoty species were caught during the study, 80% of these during July–October when the water level was high. Species richness and relative abundance both decreased with increasing distance from the river, and the timing of peak abundance occurred later in the year; (iii) Abundance of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) peaked in July and August and were mainly composed of 0 + fishes. The results revealed that the key time for migration into the lake is July–August. Combining the results from previous studies, a comprehensive view is given of migration patterns of four domestic Chinese carps; (iv) Brass gudgeon (Coreius heterodon), appeared to migrate into the Dongting Lake as two separate shoals, differentiated by body size. They also appeared to remain close to the lake mouth area. Based on the above results, two recommendations can be made for river–lake migratory fish conservation in the Yangtze floodplain: prolonging the current fishing ban period of April–June to April–September; and opening sluice gates for as long as possible during April–September in order to maximize the opportunities for fish migration.     

Downstream migration and feeding of young coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch in the northern part of the range in Kamchatka

Downstream migration of young coho salmon in the northern part of the range is observed at different ontogenetic stages. Three migration periods were identified: passive migration of yearlings within the spawning river; migration of parr older than 1 year from the spawning tributary to the main river; and migration of smoltifying fish from the river to the sea. The smoltification and seaward migration of the bulk of young salmons from the Kalkaveem River takes place at the age of 2 years. Mass downstream migration of young coho salmons starts in early June at 9°C. No clear diel pattern was observed in the migration of young coho salmon. The lowest migration activity was observed from sunrise to noon (3:00–12:00) when the feeding activity of young salmons increases.     

Day-night behavior in river entry of kutum and its relation to melatonin

Reproduction in most fish species is a scheduled phenomenon and spawning occurs at a precise time ensuring maximum survival of offspring. During the spawning season, reproductive activities of fish species and their daily entry to rivers are influenced by environment. Number of Rutilus frisii kutum entered a river discharging to Caspian Sea was analyzed to investigate the association between timing of river entry and day–night changes in environmental variables. Four thousand five hundred and sixty seven ascending adult kutum were collected in Khoshkrood River between March and May 2012. Physicochemical parameters were recorded and Melatonin levels were measured in a hundred migratory kutum over day and night during the spawning period. A significant effect of daytime on river entry was observed, as more fish entered the river at night. Melatonin levels decreased to the minimum level during peak days of migration, suggesting variations in melatonin levels can help to harmonize the daily rhythm in kutum migration.     

Return migration of Atlantic Salmon in the River Tana: Phases of migratory behaviour

From a total of 174 multi-sea-winter Atlantic salmon radio tagged in the Tanafjord (northern Norway, 70°N) during 1992 and 1993, 48 Atlantic salmon were followed from entering the River Tana until spawning. Three phases were identified: (1) migratory, direct or stepwise migration to, or close to the position held at spawning; (2) search, movements both up and down river at or close to the position held at spawning; (3) holding, a period without movements prior to spawning. During the migratory phase, Atlantic salmon migrated directly to near the spawning area, or stopped between one and nine shorter periods during the upstream migration. Number of stops increased with increasing migratory distance in 1993, but no such correlation was found in 1992. The highest migratory speeds were recorded in the lower parts of the river. A distinct change in migratory pattern was found in 67% of the Atlantic salmon near or at the area held at spawning. Most common was a search phase of erratic movements with more than one down river movement. After the movement terminated, 96% of the Atlantic salmon had a period when no or little movement was recorded until spawning (on average 55 days in 1992 and 51 days in 1993). There was no preference for staying at, up or down river from the spawning area during this holding period. Early ascending Atlantic salmon migrated to spawning areas further from the mouth than the later arriving Atlantic salmon in 1993, but not in 1992. The proportion of time spent on the migratory phase increased, while the proportion of time spent on the holding phase decreased with increasing distance to the spawning area.