Atlantic salmon kelt movement and temperature preferences from the Miramichi River through the Gulf

The MSA/ASF partnership has identified timing and migration pathways for Atlantic salmon kelt moving from the Miramichi River, through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and exiting the Gulf for reconditioning in the Atlantic Ocean.  The partnership has also initiated the satellite tagging project in 2012 and this revealed GPS coordinates of the movement patterns and mortality locations of kelt that were reconditioning in the Gulf.  However, increasing the total number of satellite tagged kelt in 2013 will expand on these valuable results.  Our work has previously demonstrated a high mortality rate in the Gulf and the information gained from satellite tags will allow us to accurately locate these areas.  Additionally, salmon often experience warm water temperatures during returns to spawning rivers and may seek thermal refuge.  As such, satellite tags record temperature and depth profiles to identify how salmon cope with warm water temperatures in the Miramichi River and estuary.

Contact: Mark Hambrook, 506-622-4000, mark@miramichisalmon.ca