AFSC/ABL: Stock composition, timing, and spawning distribution of Yukon River Chinook salmon

Description

Radio telemetry was used to determine the distribution, locate spawning sites, and evaluate the tagging response of wild Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha returning to a large, free-flowing river basin. A total of 2,860 fish were radio tagged in the lower Yukon River and tracked upriver. Fish traveled to spawning areas throughout the basin, ranging from several hundred to over 3,000 km from the tagging site. We found similar distribution patterns across years, suggesting that the major components of the return were identified. Most spawning fish were clustered in a number of principal tributaries, although small numbers of fish were located in other spatially-isolated areas. The cumulative contribution of these minor stocks was appreciable, making up 28-31% of the tagged sample. There was suggestive evidence of mainstem spawning in upper reaches of the basin. Large-scale elevation and physiographic data were useful in categorizing spawning areas, with most fish returning to relatively entrenched upland rivers. Fish were largely absent in lowland reaches characterized by meandering, low gradient, alluvial channels often associated with main river floodplains. The fish generally responded well to the capture, handling, and tagging procedures with most (2,790, 97.6%) resuming upriver movements, although the fish initially displayed a negative tagging response, with slower migration rates observed immediately after release. The duration of this response was relatively short (several days) and less severe as the fish moved upriver. The swimming speeds of radio-tagged fish after the initial delay were comparable to estimates for untagged fish, further suggesting that the capture, handling, and tagging methods used were relatively benign. Identifying the primary components of the run (including both major and minor stocks) and determining site-specific utilization patterns can fundamentally enhance salmon management in large river basins, and facilitate research and conservation efforts.

Resources

Name Format Description Link
33 NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/afsc/dmp/pdf/17266.pdf
0 View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/17266
8 NCEI to be determined Note: Dataset migrated by Dan Woodrich (AFSC data management coordinator) on 12/14/2021. Contact: Daniel.woodrich@noaa.gov https://console.cloud.google.com/storage/browser/_details/nmfs_odp_afsc/ABL/Stock%20composition%2C%20timing%2C%20and%20spawning%20distribution%20of%20Yukon%20River%20Chinook%20salmon_ID_17266.csv
21 Online Resource http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/ABL/datasets.htm
0 The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/find-data/idn/gcmd-keywords
0 View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/17266
21 Online Resource https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/ABL/datasets.htm
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2024. GCMD Keywords, Version 19. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
33 NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/afsc/dmp/pdf/17266.pdf
8 NCEI to be determined Note: Dataset migrated by Dan Woodrich (AFSC data management coordinator) on 12/14/2021. Contact: Daniel.woodrich@noaa.gov https://console.cloud.google.com/storage/browser/_details/nmfs_odp_afsc/ABL/Stock%20composition%2C%20timing%2C%20and%20spawning%20distribution%20of%20Yukon%20River%20Chinook%20salmon_ID_17266.csv

Tags

  • alaska fisheries science center
  • alaska
  • yukon river
  • noaa
  • u.s. department of commerce
  • national marine fisheries service
  • doc/noaa/nmfs/afsc
  • auke bay laboratories
  • chinook salmon

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