Abstract
The open ocean migration is the main production phase of Atlantic salmon, but also the least understood of the species life cycle. Only small ecosystem changes affecting growth and survival can have dramatic effects, as seen for this species in the last y ears. Mapping the population specific marine feeding areas and understanding the temporal and spatial factors affecting salmon abundance are therefore probably the biggest challenges in salmon ecology today. New development within satellite tracking techn ology has now for the first time made it possible to track ocean migrating salmon with miniaturized pop-up satellite tags (PSATs) over long periods. By utilizing a combination of new data and data collected from a very recent large-scale project, combined with extensive national and international cooperation and one postdoc position, the present project aim to 1) model the individual complete migration pattern of salmon from different locations around and in the North Atlantic Ocean. We will further 2) an alyse the vertical diving patterns and model marine growth, as well as 3) estimate the main area and time of mortality and identify their possible main predators. Finally we will 4) test if nesting success of sea bird colonies can assist in making salmon survival prognosis. In sum the suggested project will add unique and new information about salmon migration in the open ocean, which will be important as basic knowledge to understand the present situation, temporal trends and assist in risk assessments f or the future of salmon populations. It will also assist in the management and conservation of this economically important species.
Norway