Migration strategy variation among and within Strait of Georgia Chinook salmon populations

Chinook salmon exhibit diverse migration strategies, both among and with populations. In the Strait of Georgia between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island, Chinook salmon exhibit two distinct migration strategies. Some individuals (called migrants) migrate away to the outer coast of British Columbia, Washington and Alaska, while others (called residents) remain near their home rivers in the Strait of Georgia. This project’s goal is to track Chinook salmon to understand which individuals and populations are more likely to stay resident in the Strait of Georgia, using two methods. First, we are tracking the migrations of 329 juvenile Chinook salmon, using small electronic tags, to understand if traits like body size or growth rates influence where salmon migrate. Second, we are using extensive datasets of when and where each population is caught by fisheries and scientific surveys in the Strait of Georgia, using genetic baselines to identify fish to their population. These two studies will further our understanding of the drivers of migratory behaviour in salmon. Broadly, they will provide key context to Pacific Salmon Foundation’s ongoing work to quantify survival of Chinook salmon in the Strait of Georgia, as migrations determine the opportunities and risks that salmon experience at sea.

Faculty Supervisor:

Francis Juanes

Student:

Partner:

Pacific Salmon Foundation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Victoria

Program: