Movements of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the Skeena River Estuary as Revealed by Ultrasonic Tracking

1975 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Groot ◽  
K. Simpson ◽  
I. Todd ◽  
P. D. Murray ◽  
G. A. Buxton
Keyword(s):  
Tidal Cycle ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Oncorhynchus Nerka ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
River Mouth ◽  
Tidal Flows ◽  
Skeena River ◽  
Ultrasonic Tracking ◽  
Passive Movements

Movements of adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) entering the Skeena River were examined in 1969 and 1970 by ultrasonic tracking methods. Fifteen of 18 sockeye released in the lower river seemed to move passively in and out with flood and ebb streams. Two fish moved upstream independent of tides and one salmon swam against ebb and flood currents. Ground speeds in both years of operation were 1.6 km/h during rising and 2.1 km/h during falling tides, causing the fish to be transported downstream by about 3 km per tidal cycle. Three salmon released outside the river mouth in salt water also seemed to ride the tidal flows passively. Ground speeds during ebb (3.6 km/h) were again greater than during flood (2.0 km/h), indicating a net offshore movement. We conclude that these passive movements are not an artifact but that sockeye salmon normally slow down or pause upon reaching the "home river" and drift for a period in tidal currents in the estuary and river mouth before migrating upstream.

Physiological and Growth Differences in Three Stocks of Underyearling Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) on Early Entry into Seawater

1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 974-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley D. Rice ◽  
Robert E. Thomas ◽  
Adam Moles
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Oncorhynchus Nerka ◽  
Early Life History ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Growth Differences ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lake Type ◽  
River Type

We compared the impact of exposure to seawater on three sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) stocks: one that normally migrates to sea as underyearlings (sea-type) and two with the more common life history strategies of 1 (river-type) or 2 (lake-type) yr of freshwater residence prior to seaward migration. Innate differences in survival, ability to regulate tissue chlorides, and oxygen consumption when first introduced into salt water were more evident in April and May when fish were less than 50 mm in length. In fish longer than 50 mm, the only significant differences among the stocks were in saltwater growth. Between June and August, sea-type fish showed faster growth than river-type fish which in turn grew faster than lake-type fish. When introduced into salt water in October, virtually no growth occurred in any stock, regardless of fish size. River-type and lake-type sockeye, which normally overwinter 1 and 2 yr, respectively, in freshwater, can be reared in seawater if underyearlings are raised to a length of 50 mm before release into salt water, similar to the normal life history of sea-type underyearlings. Early life history appears to be influenced more by habitat than by genetics.

The ontogeny of ultraviolet sensitivity, cone disappearance and regeneration in the sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka

2000 ◽  
Vol 203 (7) ◽  
pp. 1161-1172 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Novales Flamarique
Keyword(s):  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Adult Stage ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Oncorhynchus Nerka ◽  
The Other ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Adult Fish ◽  
Long Wavelength ◽  
Electrophysiological Recordings ◽  
Ultraviolet Sensitivity

This study examines the spectral sensitivity and cone topography of the sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka throughout its life history with special emphasis on ultraviolet sensitivity. Electrophysiological recordings from the optic nerve show that ultraviolet sensitivity is greatly diminished at the smolt stage but reappears in adult fish weighing about 201 g. Concomitantly, light microscopy observations of the retina show that ultraviolet cones disappear from the dorsal and temporal retina at the smolt stage but reappear at the adult stage. These changes occur for sockeye salmon raised in fresh water or salt water after smoltification. In contrast to this ultraviolet cycle, the other cone mechanisms (short-, middle- and long-wavelength-sensitive) and the rod mechanism remain present throughout ontogeny. The natural appearance and disappearance of ultraviolet cones in salmonid retinas follows surges in blood thyroxine at critical developmental periods. Their presence coincides with times of prominent feeding on zooplankton and/or small fish that may be more visible under ultraviolet light. It is proposed that the primary function of ultraviolet cones in salmonids is to improve prey contrast.

Eubothrium salvelini (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) Impairs Seawater Adaptation of Migrant Sockeye Salmon Yearlings (Oncorhynchus nerka) from Babine Lake, British Columbia

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 821-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P. Boyce ◽  
W. Craig Clarke
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Oncorhynchus Nerka ◽  
Challenge Test ◽  
Infected Fish ◽  
Plasma Sodium ◽  
Elevated Plasma ◽  
Seawater Adaptation ◽  
Test Fish

Migrant sockeye salmon yearlings (Oncorhynchus nerka) were captured at the outlet of Babine Lake, British Columbia, in 1979 and 1980 and transported to the laboratory for evaluation of their seawater adaptability in a 24-h challenge test. Fish infected with the cestode Eubothrium salvelini had a reduced ability to adapt to salt water, as evidenced by greater mortality and elevated plasma sodium levels after challenge. The prevalence of infection was 60% in 1979 and 30% in 1980. In 1979, mortality during challenge was significantly higher among infected than among noninfected fish; the elevation of plasma sodium levels in the infected fish was not statistically significant. In 1980, both infected and noninfected fish had improved seawater adaptability compared with the previous year; infected fish did not suffer significantly higher mortality after challenge but their plasma sodium levels were elevated significantly compared with the noninfected fish. The reduced seawater adaptability of infected fish is likely to reduce their ocean survival considerably.

scholarly journals Migratory bottlenecks as integrators of species- and population-level diversity: the Skeena River estuary, its salmon, and industrial development

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charmaine N Carr-Harris ◽  
Allen S. Gottesfeld ◽  
Jonathan Moore
Keyword(s):  
First Nations ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Population Diversity ◽  
Genetic Stock ◽  
Environmental Laws ◽  
Skeena River

We quantify how an estuarine migratory bottleneck supports population- and species- level diversity of salmon. The estuary of the Skeena River is under pressure from industrial development, with two gas liquefaction terminals and a potash loading facility in various stages of environmental review processes at the same time as recent changes to Canadian environmental laws have reduced the timeframe for federal environmental assessments. We conducted a juvenile salmonid sampling program throughout the Skeena River estuary in 2007 and 2013. We captured all species of juvenile salmonids throughout the estuary in both years, and found that areas proposed for development support some of the highest abundances of some species of salmonids. Specifically, the highest abundances of sockeye (both years) Chinook in 2007, and coho salmon in 2013 were captured in areas proposed for development. For example, juvenile sockeye salmon were 2-8 times more abundant in the proposed development areas. Genetic stock assignment demonstrated that the Chinook salmon and most of the sockeye salmon that were captured originated from throughout the Skeena watershed, while some sockeye salmon came from the Nass, Stikine, Southeast Alaska, and coastal systems on the northern and central coasts of British Columbia. These fish support extensive commercial, recreational, and First Nations fisheries throughout the Skeena River and beyond. Our results demonstrate that estuary habitats integrate species and population diversity of salmon, and that proposed development in these areas will threaten the fisheries that depend on these fishes.

Migration Timing, Size, and Salinity Tolerance of Sea-Type Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in an Alaska Estuary

1989 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 633-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Heifetz ◽  
Scott W. Johnson ◽  
K V. Koski ◽  
Michael L. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Salinity Tolerance ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Oncorhynchus Nerka ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Fork Length ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Southeast Alaska ◽  
Fish Size ◽  
Migration Timing

Migration timing, size, and salinity tolerance were determined for sea-type sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), which migrate to sea as underyearlings (age-0), in the Situk River estuary, Southeast Alaska. Ten sites in three habitat types were seined monthly from Sate April through August, 1987, and age-0 sockeye from the estuary were tested for salinity tolerance. Age-0 sockeye were most abundant (up to 13∙m−2) from late April through June, and by late July, most sockeye had left the estuary. Mean fork length (FL) was 31 mm in April and increased 0.4 mm∙d−1 to 70 mm in late July when most (72%) remaining sockeye had grown to about the same size as age-1 smolts (69–95 mm) emigrating in May and June. Mean FL of age-0 sockeye in the estuary in July was 23 mm greater than in freshwater areas of the river. Salinity tolerance was directly related to fish size, and a size of at least 50 mm was required for 100% survival in seawater. Because salinity in the estuary ranged 0–30‰, sockeye of all sizes could survive in the estuary. Thus, in 3–4 mo, sea-type sockeye attained a size large enough to adapt to seawater and migrate to sea.

Blood Lactate Concentrations and Mortality in Sockeye and Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka and O. tshawytscha) After Exercise

1968 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-484
Author(s):  
William D. Gronlund ◽  
Harold O. Hodgins ◽  
Raymond C. Simon ◽  
Douglas D. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Blood Lactate ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Critical Level ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Oncorhynchus Nerka ◽  
Purse Seine ◽  
Delayed Mortality ◽  
Related Mortality

Blood lactate concentrations in 306 sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), taken at sea in 1965 and 1966 by purse seine, gillnet, and longline, and in 98 starved or fed immature chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) that had been exercised in a saltwater pond were generally below those reported in the literature as related to stress-induced mortality in salmon. No sockeye salmon held in shipboard tanks for observation died within 2 days after capture, although most of the fish died later. Few fish died among starved or fed immature chinook salmon in salt water within 10 days after capture by hook and line or after being chased to exhaustion; blood lactate concentrations in these fish were generally higher than in sockeye salmon after stress but were still usually below the reported critical level of 125 mg/100 ml.We concluded that neither the adult sockeye nor immature chinook salmon suffered immediate fatigue-related mortality, but the possibility that fatigue could induce delayed mortality was not excluded.

scholarly journals Migratory bottlenecks as integrators of species- and population-level diversity: the Skeena River estuary, its salmon, and industrial development

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charmaine N Carr-Harris ◽  
Allen S. Gottesfeld ◽  
Jonathan Moore
Keyword(s):  
First Nations ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Population Diversity ◽  
Genetic Stock ◽  
Environmental Laws ◽  
Skeena River

We quantify how an estuarine migratory bottleneck supports population- and species- level diversity of salmon. The estuary of the Skeena River is under pressure from industrial development, with two gas liquefaction terminals and a potash loading facility in various stages of environmental review processes at the same time as recent changes to Canadian environmental laws have reduced the timeframe for federal environmental assessments. We conducted a juvenile salmonid sampling program throughout the Skeena River estuary in 2007 and 2013. We captured all species of juvenile salmonids throughout the estuary in both years, and found that areas proposed for development support some of the highest abundances of some species of salmonids. Specifically, the highest abundances of sockeye (both years) Chinook in 2007, and coho salmon in 2013 were captured in areas proposed for development. For example, juvenile sockeye salmon were 2-8 times more abundant in the proposed development areas. Genetic stock assignment demonstrated that the Chinook salmon and most of the sockeye salmon that were captured originated from throughout the Skeena watershed, while some sockeye salmon came from the Nass, Stikine, Southeast Alaska, and coastal systems on the northern and central coasts of British Columbia. These fish support extensive commercial, recreational, and First Nations fisheries throughout the Skeena River and beyond. Our results demonstrate that estuary habitats integrate species and population diversity of salmon, and that proposed development in these areas will threaten the fisheries that depend on these fishes.

scholarly journals HYDROCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE PARTIZANSKAYA RIVER ESTUARY (NAKHODKA BAY, JAPAN SEA) IN SUMMER SEASON OF LOW WATER DISCHARGE

2018 ◽  
Vol 193 ◽  
pp. 143-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Yu. Semkin ◽  
P. A. Tishchenko ◽  
T. A. Mikhailik ◽  
Yu. A. Barabanshchikov ◽  
G. Yu. Pavlova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Water ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
Chlorophyll Concentration ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
River Mouth ◽  
Japan Sea ◽  
Bottom Layer ◽  
Autochthonous Organic Matter ◽  
Limited Water Exchange

Chemical water parameters in the Partizanskaya River estuary were measured on July 18–19, 2012 in conditions of low water discharge (20.1 m3 /s). In these conditions, the cline of salt water at the bottom penetrated up to 11 km upstream from the river mouth and the fresh river water passed the estuarine zone of mixing in approximately 2 days. Salt composition of the mixed water in the estuary had conservative dependence on salinity. By dynamical signs, the estuary could be divided into two zones: i) zone of active exchange between the surface freshwater layer and the bottom salted layer on the distance 5.5 km from the river mouth to the first sandy riverbank that the fresh river water passed in 12 hours, and ii) the upper part of the estuary with limited water exchange. The complex of water environments in the estuary, as good water transparency, strong stratification, and high concentrations of terrestrial nutrients, was favorable for phytoplankton blooming, so the chlorophyll concentration in the estuarine waters exceeded 40 μg/L. Destruction of autochthonous organic matter caused anomalies in distribution of carbonate and nutrient parameters and was accompanied by hypoxia in the bottom layer with the dissolved oxygen content lowering to 61 μM/kg.

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