Chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum) on the continental coast of the Okhotsk Sea. Communication 2. The juveniles

Abstract

Long-term data on downstream migration, qualitative and quantitative characteristics and feeding of juvenile chum salmon are generalized for the continental coast of the Okhotsk Sea. The downstream migration begins in conditions of certain heating of river waters; its dynamics depends on the rate of water flow and other environmental factors. The juveniles migrate from rivers to the coastal waters both in the daytime and at night. Their qualitative characteristics change in correspondence with escapement of either summer or autumn races of chum salmon progeny from the spawning grounds. The juveniles stay in the coastal waters until September. Their food spectrum is determined by the inhabited biotope.