Modelling the trajectories of migrating Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Abstract

This paper describes a model for simulating the trajectories of migrating Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the ocean. Surface current and temperature representations were used as boundary conditions for simulation of migration trajectories. Representations of surface currents were derived from a general circulation model forced by realistic winds and then tested through comparisons with observed trajectories of drifting buoys. Observed climatology data were used to represent sea surface temperature patterns. The model was used to simulate the trajectories of 15 individual salmon that were tagged in their home rivers and subsequently recaptured at sea. In contrast to a random swimming direction model, trajectories simulated using both rheotaxis and thermotaxis as direction-finding mechanisms passed close to the recapture locations of the salmon. The timings and positions of the trajectories simulated using rheotaxis corresponded more closely with the observed data than those simulated using thermotaxis. This work indicates that either rheotaxis or thermotaxis, or a combination of the two, are possible direction-finding mechanisms for migrating Atlantic salmon. Résumé :Notre travail décrit un modèle pour simuler les trajectoires de migration de saumons atlantiques (Salmo salar) dans l'océan. Des représentations de courants de surface et de températures servent de conditions limites dans la simulation des trajectoires de migration. Nous obtenons les représentations des courants de surface à partir d'un modèle de circulation générale forcé avec des vents réalistes et ensuite vérifié par des comparaisons avec les trajectoires observées de bouées en dérive. Des observations climatologiques ont permis de décrire les patrons de température de la surface de la mer. Le modèle a servi à simuler les trajectoires de 15 saumons individuels marqués dans leur rivière d'origine et recapturés plus tard en mer. Contrairement au modèle de direction aléatoire de la nage, les trajectoires simulées, qui utilisent à la fois la rhéotactisme et la thermotactisme comme mécanismes de choix de direction, passent près des points de recapture des saumons. Le calendrier et les positionnements des trajectoires simulées qui utilisent la rhéotactisme correspondent mieux aux données observées que ceux des trajectoires simulées qui utilisent la thermotactisme. Notre travail indique que tant la rhéotactisme que la thermotactisme, ou alors une combinaison des deux, servent de mécanismes possibles de découverte de la direction chez les saumons atlantiques en migration.[Traduit par la Rédaction] Booker et al. 361

Oceanic, riverine, and genetic influences on spring chinook salmon migration timing

“…along the 468 N path, migration distance and travel time are inversely related so that fish arriving in 20 days would swim between 20 and 40 km/d while fish arriving in 40 days would swim between 5 and 10 km/d. The constant speed is more reasonable and comports with salmon oceanic speeds (;22 km/d) estimated by Quinn (1988Quinn ( , 2005 and Booker et al (2008). Taken together, the patterns in Fig.…”

“…Thus, correlations of run timing variations with ocean and river current patterns should provide information about the trajectories of fish on their homeward migration. Better representations of the interactions of water movement and fish behavior coupled with run timing information as a boundary condition (e.g., Goodwin et al 2006, Booker et al 2008) may further resolve migration patterns and provide a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of fish migration. Finally, our analysis illustrates the value of having a biological hypothesis to guide the selection of covariates in a statistical model.…”

Modelling the dispersal of riverine fish larvae: from a raster-based analysis of movement patterns within a racetrack flume to a rheoreaction-based correlated random walk (RCRW) model approach

“…Models of larval fish dispersal patterns within riverine ecosystems are rare (e.g., Wolter and Sukhodolov 2008;Korman et al 2004;Cowan et al 1993). However, models that include rheoreaction have been developed for several organisms and their larval developmental stages (Marcos et al 2012;Mork et al 2012;Booker et al 2008). Kingsford et al (2002) recommended obtaining high-resolution spatial information on navigation, at scales of less than 1 m, before implementation into models of larval fish dispersal (from metres to kilometres).…”

Testing a model to track fish migrations in polar regions using pop‐up satellite archival tags

“…, 2009) to provide estimates of location. The number of modeled and measured physical fields that have been applied to force and correct migratory trajectories is continually increasing (Booker et al. , 2008; Patterson et al.…”