Lessons on the Migration Pathways of Atlantic Salmon Smolt and Kelt at Sea

ASF used acoustic and satellite telemetry to document Atlantic salmon smolt and kelt movement and survival from the Miramichi, Restigouche and Cascapedia rivers to sea.  Survival in freshwater was high over our 10-year time series. High smolt losses occurred in the estuaries. High kelt losses occurred in the Gulf and our satellite tracks suggest that predation was a major factor. Within the Gulf, Dalhousie University researchers recorded detections between our tagged salmon and adult grey seals that were fitted with acoustic (VEMCO Mobile Transceiver) and GPS technology. A wave glider (operated by the OTN) fitted with tracking equipment also detected our salmon in the Gulf. Smolt from all three rivers travelled 800 km through the Gulf and moved in synchrony across the Strait of Belle Isle (SOBI) fixed array over a 2-week period in each year. This array also determined that kelt exited the Gulf during the same time as smolt. Beyond our local tracking network at SOBI, salmon were detected on fixed arrays more than 200 km northeast along the Labrador coast by researchers studying other species. These multiple telemetry techniques are beginning to provide valuable insights into individual species migration paths and how they interact with other animals.