Diel migration pattern of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta) smolts: an assessment of environmental cues

The timing of smolt migration is a key phenological trait with profound implications for individual survival during both river descent and the subsequent sea sojourn of anadromous fish. We studied relationships between the time of smolt migration, water temperature and light intensity for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and sea trout (Salmo trutta). During 2006–2012, migrating smolts descending the southern Norway River Storelva were caught in a rotary screw trap located at the river mouth. The date of 50% cumulative smolt descent correlated significantly with the date when the river temperature exceeded 8°C for both Atlantic salmon and sea trout smolts. In 2010, smolts of both species were passive integrated transponder (PIT)‐tagged, and the diel timing of their migration was precisely documented. The degree of night migration decreased in both species as the river temperature rose, and at temperatures above 12–13°C, more smolts migrated during day than during night. A multinomial model was fitted for estimating temperature and species effects on probabilities of migration during night, daytime, dusk and dawn. Atlantic salmon smolts preferred migrating under lower light intensities than sea trout smolts during early, but not late spring when both species migrated during bright daylight. In accordance with the early‐season tendency to migrate at night, Atlantic salmon smolts migrated more during darker hours of the day than sea trout. In both species, smaller smolts migrated under dark conditions than during light conditions. Most of the findings on thermal, light and temporal effects on the observed smolt migration pattern can be explained as adaptations to predation avoidance.     

Evidence of straying from wild Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar L., smolt transportation experiments in northern Scotland

Over a period of 4 years a total of 10482 Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., smolts were transported from the River Bran, one of the tributaries of the Conon River system in Ross-shire, Scotland and released at a point below all the dams on this river system. The percentages of smolts recaptured as adult fish from the 4 years of the experiments were 2.8, 2.2, 2.2 and 4.0. Ninety per cent of the fish were recaptured within the Conon River system by anglers and at trapping sites or in neighbouring coastal nets, while the remaining 10% were taken in Greenland waters. The recapture of tagged fish in other tributaries of the river system indicated that there was a certain amount of straying, with a straying rate of 18.9%, although it was only appreciable in the tributary nearest to the Bran. The results are compared with those obtained from smolt transportation experiments in northern England where no adult trapping facilities were available. Discussion covers the probability of straying as a result of hydroelectric and water abstraction schemes involving inter-river transfer.     

Linking habitat characteristics with juvenile density to quantify Salmo salar and Salmo trutta smolt production in the river Sävarån,Sweden

Abstract Habitat mapping along 85 km of river was related to juvenile (15 years of electric fishing) and smolt (3 years of screw‐trapping) abundance data to estimate salmon, Salmo salar L., and sea trout, Salmo trutta L., smolt production in the River Sävarån, northern Sweden. Spawning site selection by radio‐tagged salmon (n = 12) and sea trout (n = 4) was also assessed. Fifty‐one hectares of potential spawning and nursery habitat was found in the main stem river, representing 25% of the total river area. These areas were estimated to yield 1300–7580 salmon and 630–3540 sea trout smolts based on juvenile densities, equating with 3 years of screw‐trap data (2990–5080 salmon and 680–2520 trout smolts, respectively). A hypothetical maximum production of about 19 900 salmon smolts was predicted for the river at a density of 40, 0+ salmon 100 m^?2. Tracking adults during the spawning period identified optimal and potential reproductive areas.     

The source of autumn and spring downstream migrating juvenile Atlantic salmon in a small lowland river

Over 3 years, 32,444 age‐0 group Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr tagged with passive integrated transponder tags throughout the River Frome catchment were assigned to one of three groups, nonmigrants, autumn migrants and spring smolts, depending on the detection and the timing of detection at downstream tag readers (situated 8.6 km above the tidal limit). We examined the effect of density at the time of tagging (n·m^?2), distance upstream from the tidal limit (km), fish length (mm), Fulton condition index, habitat type (divided into two types, main river and carrier), days after 1 September that each fish was tagged and year (replication) on the proportions of fish in each of the migration groups. Distance upstream from tidal limit was strongly negatively related to the proportion of autumn migrants and positively related to the proportion of spring smolts. Nonmigrants had a lower average body size than migrants, although there were no differences in the sizes of autumn migrants and spring smolts in September prior to migration. Fish density had no effect on migration strategy. A lower proportion of fish migrated as autumn migrants from the smaller carrier habitats than the main river channel. There is some evidence that those parr destined to become autumn migrants underwent a lower mortality rate during September before tagging than those destined to become spring migrants indicating possible physiological or behavioural differences between these two groups of fish at that time. More research into the factors responsible for initiating the autumn migration is required.     

The prevalence of escaped farmed salmon, Salmo salar L., in the River Ewe, western Scotland, with notes on their ages, weights and spawning distribution

Abstract  The prevalence of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in the River Ewe, western Scotland, was assessed. After the establishment of smolt cages in the catchment and marine cages near the river mouth during 1986–1987, approximately 425 000 parr and smolts, and 122 000 growers have escaped. Between 1987 and 2001, farmed salmon occurred in the rod fishery in 13 of the 15 years, contributing at least 5.8% of the total catch, with a maximum annual frequency of 27.1%. It was estimated that <1% of fish escaping from the marine cages entered the river, but contributed at least 27% of potential anadromous spawners in 1997. Radiotagged, farmed fish in 2001 probably spawned in three subcatchments also used by tagged wild fish. Despite the likelihood of hybridisation there was no change in the median weight or marine age of wild fish, but smolt age decreased significantly ( P  < 0.02). The Ewe has a depleted wild salmon population (≤900 anadromous adults), and further genetic introgression by escapees should be prevented.     

Effects of smolt size and timing of migration on recovery rate of wild masu salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus masou</Emphasis>

Little is known about the survival rate of wild masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou. To examine the effects of smolt length and migration timing on the recovery rate of wild masu salmon, we reanalyzed past tagging and recovery data (1993–1994). The tagging study was conducted in the Shokanbetsu River, northern Japan; 863 wild masu salmon smolts were captured, tagged, and released in a downstream site, and a total of 19 fish were recovered in coastal fisheries and in the natal river the following year. The data were analyzed by a logistic regression analysis with recapture as a response variable and tagging date and smolt length as explanatory variables; the tagging date had a significant effect on the recapture rate, whereas the effect of smolt size was not significant. Despite the small number of recaptures, this study indicates that migration timing is a factor affecting the marine survival of wild masu salmon smolts, although this conclusion has been repeatedly documented for other species of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp.     

Seasonal differences in smolt traits and post-smolt survival of wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, migrating from a northern boreal river

Abstract  Seasonal differences in smolt traits and the post-smolt survival of wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were investigated by smolt trapping and Carlin-tagging in the River Simojoki, northern Finland between 1991 and 2004. The annual trapping season was divided into two halves based on the median catch date. Smolt length was significantly higher during the first half of the season, while differences in smolt weight were typically small. Smolt age was always significantly higher during the first half of the season because older smolts tended to migrate earlier in the season. Many smolts migrating during the early season and almost all smolts migrating later had started their new growth, indicating that smolts grow in the spring before sea entry. The differences in recaptures between smolts tagged during the first and second halves were insignificant. Although variations in smolt traits and environmental conditions can produce inter-annual variation in post-smolt survival, their seasonal differences seem to be too small to have an effect.     

Differences in sea migration between wild and reared Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in the Baltic Sea

The effect of origin, smolt size and year of release on the sea migration pattern of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in the Baltic Sea was examined by tagging experiments conducted in 1991–1993 on wild and reared smolts of the Simojoki river salmon stock. The tag recovery data analysed by log-linear models revealed significant differences in both spatial and temporal sea migrations between the wild and reared salmon; the variation was attributed to the year of release and to the origin of the fish. Grilse accounted for the majority of reared returners (76%) but for a smaller proportion (46%) of the wild fish. The effect of smolt size could be studied only in the smolt groups tagged in 1991. Wild fish were more frequently (71%) caught in the Baltic Main Basin than were reared fish (51%) during their second sea year, and the size variation between wild and reared smolts did not explain the recovery site. No such differences in spatial distribution were found during the third sea year. The tagging place (hatchery/trap) of the reared fish did not affect their later sea migration. The differences in sea migration patterns suggest that the wild salmon are more vulnerable to the intensive salmon fishery in the Baltic Main Basin than are reared fish.     

Riverine and fjord migration of wild and hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon smolts

Migration timing, speed, survival and effects of environmental parameters on migration, between wild and hatchery produced Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., smolts in the River Lærdalselva were studied. Hatchery‐reared (n = 40) and wild pre‐smolts (n = 40) were tagged with acoustic tags, and an array of receivers along the migration route was deployed. In all, 77 and 85% of the fish from the two groups, respectively, were recorded as migrating smolts, that is, predation rate and/or numbers of fish opting to remain in the river were low. Hatchery‐reared smolts showed a migration pattern, speed and migration route similar to wild smolts, even though the time period between river release and onset of migration was relatively short. Both groups of smolt showed high migration speed through both the river and the fjord compared with other studies.     

Marine mortality in the river? Atlantic salmon smolts under high predation pressure in the last kilometres of a river monitored for stock assessment

The River Bush (Northern Ireland) is an index river for the estimation of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., stock size, population dynamics and marine survival rates. Marine survival estimates are based on the number of smolts counted at a trap 3.5 km upstream of the river outlet. The survival from release to coastal inshore waters for acoustic‐tagged smolts released at the Bushmills trap varied between 32% and 68%, with both year and brightness during river exit playing a significant role in explaining the variations in survival. This constitutes an important survival bottleneck. Contrary to true marine mortality, this significant loss of smolts in the river and nearshore environments could be reduced by focused management actions. More studies on other rivers, where smolts are enumerated above the head of tide, could further partition smolt and post‐smolt mortality, help differentiate true marine survival and help understand fluctuations in adult returns.     

Early marine survival and movements of escaped Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. juveniles from a land‐based smolt farm during autumn

The aim of this study was to examine early marine survival and movements of simulated escaped Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. pre‐smolt and smolt from a commercial smolt farm during autumn. One‐third of the pre‐smolt most likely died in the immediate vicinity of the release location, whereas the corresponding mortality for smolts was lower (8.5%) during the 5‐week study period. The surviving pre‐smolt left the farm area after 2–3 days, predominantly along the shore. In contrast, most of the surviving smolts left the farm area during the first day and 54% seemed to move away from the shore and adopt a more pelagic movement pattern than pre‐smolt. The number of surviving fish recorded in the fjord decreased throughout the study period, possibly due to a combination of fish migrating out of the fjord or undetected mortality. Compared with existing knowledge on migration of released farmed smolts during spring, our results indicate less directional and slower movement rates during autumn. Only two of the tagged fish were detected upstream in the rivers following release. A rapid dispersion of escapees indicates that the potential for recapturing escapees is limited unless recapture efforts are initiated immediately after escape. Hence, there is a need for development of technology that detects and prevents escapees to enter the sea.     

Long-term changes in the smolt size and age of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in a northern Baltic river related to parr density, growth opportunity and postsmolt survival

Abstract –  The size of wild Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) smolts in 1972–2004 was studied in relation to parr density, smolt age, growth opportunity and postsmolt survival in the Simojoki River. There was a significant negative regression between the annual mean smolt size and the density of wild >1 year parr in the previous autumn, but not between the annual mean smolt size and age. The density of reared parr released into the river or the growth opportunity, based on the day length and air temperature during the previous summer, did not affect the size of wild smolts. The data on postsmolt survival based on recaptures of Carlin-tagged smolts showed a significant positive relationship ( P  < 0.01) between the survival of postsmolts and the annual size of wild smolts. It is hypothesised that the increased density of wild >1 year parr could have contributed to the decreased smolt size since the 1990s, and the reduced size of wild smolts could be included among the factors resulting in their declined postsmolt survival in the Baltic Sea.     

Validating timing of salmon smolt runs obtained by telemetry studies

Telemetry tags are increasingly used in management to monitor the migration timing of Atlantic salmon smolts (Salmo salar L.). It has been postulated that (1) effects from tagging and handling may alter migration behaviour, and (2) that the selection of fish during sampling is not representative of all migrating smolts, yielding bias in migration timing estimates. In the River Dale (Vestland, Norway), five groups of wild Atlantic salmon smolts (N = 385) were tagged in April–May and recaptured in a wolf trap. Migration timing was then compared to the untagged population. Migration timing differed between tagged (12 mm PIT) and untagged fish for 4/5 groups. Only fish tagged at the first time point did not have significantly different timing of migration from untagged counterparts. The relationship between length and the timing of migration was different for initial length and length at recapture; initial length suggested earlier migration of longer fish, but the extra time spent in the river prior to migrating for smolts that were initially smaller compensated for the size difference. The tagging protocol is crucial to obtaining representative migration timing results. Smolts should be tagged as early as possible and include the entire size distribution.     

Survival of migrating sea trout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts negotiating weirs in small Danish rivers

Abstract – The survival of brown trout and Atlantic salmon smolts during passage over small weirs was estimated in two small Danish rivers during the spring of 1998. Parallel groups of smolts were released upstream and downstream of the weirs and recaptured in traps further downstream. The results showed a smolt loss varying from 18 to 71% for trout and 53% for salmon. Furthermore, the surviving smolts from the upstream groups were delayed for up to 9 days compared to downstream groups. The study demonstrated that an increased proportion of total river discharge allocated to fish passage increased the smolt survival. Losses may be because of fish penetrating grids erected at fish farm inlets, predation and delays, which may lead to desmoltification. The low survival may seriously threat both the long-term viability of wild populations of anadromous salmonids and the outcome of the intensive stocking programme in Denmark.     

Influence of river conditions during seaward migration and ocean conditions on survival rates of Snake River Chinook salmon and steelhead

Petrosky CE, Schaller HA. Influence of river conditions during seaward migration and ocean conditions on survival rates of Snake River Chinook salmon and steelhead.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 520–536. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Improved understanding of the relative influence of ocean and freshwater factors on survival of at‐risk anadromous fish populations is critical to success of conservation and recovery efforts. Abundance and smolt to adult survival rates of Snake River Chinook salmon and steelhead decreased dramatically coincident with construction of hydropower dams in the 1970s. However, separating the influence of ocean and freshwater conditions is difficult because of possible confounding factors. We used long time‐series of smolt to adult survival rates for Chinook salmon and steelhead to estimate first year ocean survival rates. We constructed multiple regression models that explained the survival rate patterns using environmental indices for ocean conditions and in‐river conditions experienced during seaward migration. Survival rates during the smolt to adult and first year ocean life stages for both species were associated with both ocean and river conditions. Best‐fit, simplest models indicate that lower survival rates for Chinook salmon are associated with warmer ocean conditions, reduced upwelling in the spring, and with slower river velocity during the smolt migration or multiple passages through powerhouses at dams. Similarly, lower survival rates for steelhead are associated with warmer ocean conditions, reduced upwelling in the spring, and with slower river velocity and warmer river temperatures. Given projections for warming ocean conditions, a precautionary management approach should focus on improving in‐river migration conditions by increasing water velocity, relying on increased spill, or other actions that reduce delay of smolts through the river corridor during their seaward migration.     

The effect of anosmia on the migration of Atlantic salmon smolts (Salmo salar L.) in freshwater

Wild and hatchery-reared salmon smolts of the Imsa strain were divided into two groups. One group was made anosmic by cutting the olfactory nerves, the other served as control. The smolts were released at three different sites in the Ims-Lutsi watercourse and recaptured in a fish trap at 100 m above the river estuary. The recapture rates in the trap decreased with increasing migratory distance for the smolts. The experiment indicates that the olfactory sense is not essential for smolt navigation through rivers and lakes.     

Predation by cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo (L.), on the salmonid populations of an Irish river

Abstract. Counts were made of cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo (L.), feeding on the River Bush. County Antrim. Northern Ireland during the post-dawn period on three occasions. Two of the counts during May 1986 indicated that up to 264 birds may have been feeding at least once per day throughout the catchment during the salmon, Salmo salar L., smolt run. The number of feeding birds had dropped to an estimated 61 by the time of the third count on 1 July 1986. Stomach samples from shot birds showed that upstream feeding was concentrated on wild smolts and brown trout. Salmo trutta L. However, cormorant predalion downstream from the salmon hatchery at Bushmills was restricted solely to hatchery smolts. Estimates of the total daily predation rates were calculated at 653–1214 wild smolts. 107–231 hatchery smolts and 422–785 brown trout. The possible impact of this level of predation on the salmonid stocks of the river was assessed.     

Delayed smolt migration of stocked Atlantic salmon parr

Abstract The timing of the smolt run in the Dale River in western Norway was monitored from 2002 to 2007 after annual stocking in late autumn 2000 to 2005 with 5000–10800, 11–16 g, Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr. The releases yielded an annual smolt production of 1000–2000 individuals, mainly 1+ smolts. Almost 5700 stocked smolts were trapped during smolt migration and 60% of these were genotyped for family identification. The date for 50% descent varied by 14 days from year to year. For the most part, however, the 2+ stocked smolts and the majority of the wild smolts left the river in May, while the 1+ stocked smolts migrated 23–26 days later in June. It was concluded that the strategy of stocking large parr in late autumn may conflict with the natural timing of smolt migration the following spring.     

Semi-natural rearing of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), smolts, with an assessment of survival to the catch and escapement

Abstract. To assess the merits of rearing coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), smolts semi-naturally, trials were made in which 17 groups of tagged smolts, from 4 brood years, were raised on a partially natural diet in a semi-natural habitat. Their subsequent survival, as determined from catch and escapement, was compared with that of four groups of smolts, from the same brood years, raised by a conventional hatchery method. The returns of the semi-natural fish proved lower than or similar to those of the hatchery fish, which attained a maximum survival to catch and escapement of 26%. The survival of the semi-natural fish showed no relation to their location in their linear rearing facility, nor to size of smolt (within a narrow range). Further trials showed that a month's delay in release of the semi-natural fish did not increase returns, contrary to a current predictive model. The distribution of the catches of both kinds of fish was broadly similar in the troll and sport fisheries. It is concludedthat semi-natural rearing of coho smolts is not superior to that of standard hatchery procedures, although it may be favoured for specific locations that lend themselves to this approach.     

Migration pathways,speed and mortality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts in a Scottish river and the near‐shore coastal marine environment

Long‐distance migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is known to result in high levels of mortality. For a species experiencing global population decline, it is thus vital to better understand migration behaviour, both in the river and marine stages. Atlantic salmon smolts (n = 50) were tracked using acoustic telemetry in the River Deveron, Scotland, and adjacent coastal area. Higher rates of mortality were observed in the river (0.77% per km) than the early marine stage of migration (0.0% per km). Mortality likely resulted from predation. Higher swim speeds were recorded in the early marine stage compared with the river (marine = 7.37 ± 28.20 km/day; river = 5.03 ± 1.73 km/day [mean ± SD]), a potential predator avoidance behaviour. The majority of smolts leaving the river did so in darkness and on a flooding tide. Overall river and marine migration success were linked to nights of lower lunar brightness. Marine migration speed decreased with increasing environmental noise levels, a finding with implications for fisheries management. The migration pathway in the early marine environment did not follow obvious geographical features, such as the coastline. Thus, we suggest that early marine environment pathways are more influenced by complex water currents. These findings highlight factors that influence smolt migration survival and behaviour, areas on which future research should focus.