Migratory behaviour of post‐smolt Atlantic salmon during initial stages of seaward migration

Abstract

The movements of 24 hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts, with miniature acoustic transmitters (pingers) implanted surgically, were determined after release in the coastal waters of Passamaquoddy Bay (mean tide range 6 m), New Brunswick, Canada, to describe the first stages of seaward migration. Automated pinger detection at fixed sites, and pinger location and tracking by boat were used. Post‐smolts left the release area rapidly, and the majority moved to open waters of the bay within several tidal cycles. Initially, post‐smolts moved with a seaward orientation on ebb tides and held positions on flood tides. Their movements into open waters were diurnal, and the timing corresponded with the state of the tide during which they moved through a narrow channel. Post‐smolts moved preferentially through this passageway with the aid of the tidal stream. Successful movements out through the channel occurred during ebb tides and any movements back in were during flood tides. Ground speed of fish moving through the channel was 4·2 body lengths s−1 and faster than the tidal stream velocities in the channel. The relative velocity of fish swimming through the channel was 2 body lengths s−1. Post‐smolt movement was indicative of active, directed swimming with a reliance on ebb‐tide transport for migration through a coastal area with strong tidal currents. Some post‐smolts moved seaward directly with no apparent period of acclimation for the transfer to the marine environment, whereas others delayed their departure. These differences in behaviour were probably related to asynchrony in smolting when fish were released.