Effects of transportation timing on osmoregulation and survival in yearling hatchery Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

ABSTRACT

Seasonal timing of transportation and acclimation of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) between hatcheries may affect osmoregulation and survival. We investigated the duration of time fish need to acclimate to hatchery conditions prior to being presented with a saltwater challenge. We monitored acute survival and osmoregulatory ability following a 24-h saltwater challenge of fish previously transported to a hatchery at various times throughout the year compared to fish reared at that hatchery. Fish that underwent a saltwater challenge 3 weeks after transport had significantly reduced osmoregulatory performance and increased mortality compared to fish allowed an acclimation period of 2 months.

KEYWORDS:

• Acclimation
• acclimatization
• smoltification

Acknowledgments

We thank the staff of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Marion Forks Fish Hatchery, Olivia Hakanson, Courtney Danley, Kate Self, and Steve Whitlock for their assistance with data collection and rearing of the fish.

Funding

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District funded this research. This study was performed under the auspices of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Oregon State University (ACUP # 4289 and 4688). Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State University, and the Wildlife Management Institute jointly sponsor the Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.

Additional information

Funding

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District funded this research. This study was performed under the auspices of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Oregon State University (ACUP # 4289 and 4688). Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State University, and the Wildlife Management Institute jointly sponsor the Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.