Homing behavior and vertical movements of four species of Pacific salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus</i> spp.) in the central Bering Sea

Abstract

Four sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), two chum salmon (O. keta), three pink salmon (O. gorbuscha), and four Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) with depth-sensing ultrasonic transmitters were tracked in the central Bering Sea to examine migration in the open sea. Ground speeds of maturing sockeye, chum, and pink salmon were at 0.54–0.66 m/s (0.88–1.17 fork lengths/s). Chinook salmon, probably immature fish, moved more slowly (0.34 m/s). Maturing individuals moved in particular directions and maintained their ground speeds and directions during day and night. The results also suggested that salmon had a compass orientation ability functioning without celestial information. Sockeye, chum, and pink salmon showed strong surface preferences but chinook salmon swam deeper (30–35 m) than did the other species.