Returns of transplanted adult, escaped, cultured Atlantic salmon to the Magaguadavic River, New Brunswick

Abstract

We transplanted escaped Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) attempting to enter the Magaguadavic River, New Brunswick, distances of up to 50 km away from the river, to investigate if these fish showed any tendency to return. A single fish returned to the river in 1997 (n=78) and also in 1999 (n=34). By contrast, in 1998, 31 of 144 transplanted salmon were recaptured in the river following transplantation. The returnees were moved a second, and in some cases a third, time to see if the pattern would continue. The numbers returning fell with each additional displacement. However, the percentages of the large salmon (>63 cm) coming back stayed the same in successive transplants. By contrast, the fraction of small salmon returning increased. The results document a tendency on the part of escaped cultured Atlantic salmon to return to a specific river system at spawning time. However, the pattern of returns of the transplants was highly variable and unpredictable among years.