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Survival and behavior of juvenile steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in two estuaries in Oregon, USA

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Abstract

Anadromous salmonids are viewed as a prized commodity and cultural symbol throughout the Pacific coast of North America. Unfortunately, several native salmonid populations are threatened or at risk of extinction. Despite this, little is known about the behavior and survival of these fish as the juveniles transition from freshwater to the ocean. Our primary objectives were to estimate survival of juvenile steelhead migrating between trapping sites and the ocean and evaluate whether survival in the estuary varies temporally (within a year) or spatially (within and between estuaries) within the same distinct population segment. We also evaluated whether flow or fork length were correlated with survival and collected information on variables that have been demonstrated to affect smolt survival in other studies to lend insight regarding differences in survival estimates between basins. We compared run timing, migration rate, survival, condition factor, age composition and time of residence in the estuary for steelhead outmigrants from each basin and measured parasite loads in outmigrating steelhead to evaluate potential differences in parasite density and parasite community between basins. In 2009, we implanted acoustic transmitters in 139 wild steelhead smolts in two small rivers on the Oregon Coast. In general, only 40–50 % of the wild steelhead smolts tagged at upstream smolt traps were detected entering the ocean. The majority of mortality occurred in the lower estuary near the ocean. Wild steelhead smolts typically spent less than 1 day in the estuary in both basins. Using similar data from previous studies in the Nehalem and Alsea basins, we showed that survival appears to be negatively correlated with flow in most releases, and in 2009 fork length was not correlated with survival. Our observations provide baseline information on factors that could influence smolt survival through the estuary as well as smolt to adult survival in these basins, and emphasize the importance of monitoring smolt survival in the estuary.

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Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank the following people for their assistance: Three anonymous reviewers who contributed helpful edits and comments to the manuscript, Kara Anlauf (GIS figures), Lisa Borgerson and Kanani Bowden (scale analysis), Kristin Berkenkamp (histology preparation), Ryan Couture and Joseph O’Neil (OHRC, metal fabrication), Allison Evans (statistical advice), Steve Johnson (data, manuscript edits), Kim Jones (sampling gear, edits), Paul Olmsted, Aaron Paloni, and Jitesh Pattni (smolt trapping), Jim Powers (EPA, acoustic receivers), Bill Ratliff (landowner contacts), Brian Riggers (boat loan), Dave Stewart (lodging at the Redwood), Erik Suring (ODFW Life Cycle Monitoring), Andrew Walch (field assistance), Derek Wiley (ODFW North Fork Nehalem crew supervisor). And the following agencies and organizations for funding and support; Primary funding for the Nehalem basin was provided by ODFW Restoration and Enhancement (07-096). Primary funding for work in the Alsea basin was provided by Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking (POST) program. Additional funding was provided by Oregon Council Federation of Fly Fishers, Santiam Fish and Game Association, and Washington County Fly Fishers.

Any use of trade names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Author notes

  1. Jayde A. Ferguson

    Present address: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries, Fish Pathology Laboratory, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK, 99518, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Nash Hall Room 104, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Jeremy D. Romer, Camille A. Leblanc, David Noakes & Carl B. Schreck

  2. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 28655 Highway 34, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA

    Jeremy D. Romer & Shaun Clements

  3. Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Nash Hall Room 201, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Jayde A. Ferguson & Michael L. Kent

  4. Oregon Hatchery Research Center, 2418 East Fall Creek Road, Alsea, OR, 97324, USA

    David Noakes

  5. Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Geological Survey, Nash Hall Room 104, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Carl B. Schreck

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  1. Jeremy D. Romer
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Correspondence to Jeremy D. Romer.

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Romer, J.D., Leblanc, C.A., Clements, S. et al. Survival and behavior of juvenile steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in two estuaries in Oregon, USA. Environ Biol Fish 96, 849–863 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-012-0080-8

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