Coastal Movements of Mature Fraser River Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) as Revealed by Ultrasonic Tracking

Abstract

Eleven mature pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) were tracked in September 1967 for periods of 3–50 hr over distances from 2 to 127 km to determine migration patterns.The fish were classified as "active" or "passive." Active fish moved faster and their paths were straighter. Active tracks ended distant from and to the north (toward the Fraser River) of the release point; passive tracks ended near or south of the release point. Active fish did not follow shorelines, but travelled primarily along the axes of tidal currents. They moved both with the northward flood and against the southward ebb currents, during day and at night. Average ground speed of active fish was 62 cm/sec (2.2 km/hr).