Distribution, Growth, and Feeding of Sockeye Salmon in the Western Bering Sea

• DOI: 10.1577/t03-072.1
• Publication Date: 2004-06-07T19:36:54Z
• Authors: Vladimir I. Radch...; Ole A. Mathisen
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 14. Life underwater; 16. Peace & justice; 01 natural sciences

Abstract The Pacific Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (TINRO) in Vladivostok, Russia, conducted 12 major biological surveys the western Bering Sea 1986–1995. During these surveys, sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka were sampled with a new pelagic trawl. We used catch, age growth, diet data from TINRO to evaluate role structure function communities Sea. Estimates abundance (numbers biomass) showed large annual seasonal fluctuations Immature maturing migrated late spring their winter (December–May) feeding grounds North Ocean. Maturing distributed June early August before returning natal spawning rivers. In August, smolts (age n .0, where indicates an ocean‐age cohort zero number ocean annuli) began move coastal offshore waters, largest numbers occurred September–November. inferred catch that most other age‐groups left by end November moved southward analyses indicated fed thermocline layers, they important consumers interzonal zooplankton micronektonic organisms. dietary ration was high. high growth rates comparable those wide distribution, numerous trophic linkages, rations, rate establish