Distribution, movements, and mortality of anadromous arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus L., in the Cumberland Sound area of Baffin Island

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Author: Moore, J. W.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1975
• Subjects: Arctic; Baffin Island; Cumberland Sound; Baffin; Salvelinus alpinus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1975.tb04608.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1095-8649.1975.tb04608.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1975.tb04608.x

During 1972 the downstream movement of anadromous artic char, Salvelinus alpinus L., from two rivers flowing into Cumberland Sound, Baffin Island, began during the middle of May and was completed within 2 weeks. This movement took place during both the day and night. Upon reaching saltwater, many char older than 9 years (longer than 20 cm) began to migrate along the shore of the Sound at a rate of 0–6–0‐9 km/day with the result that the average maximum distance travelled from the natal river was 40–50 km. Char 6–9 years old, 10–20 cm in length, remained much closer to the rivers while those younger than 5 years never entered saltwater. During the period of saltwater residence, the fish frequently moved into the intertidal zone and freshwater. Maturing fish of both sexes were occasionally found in saltwater. The upstream migration to the lakes began during the second week of August and was completed within 5–6 weeks. Females tended to ascend the rivers before males, although fish of all different size and age migrated upstream simultaneously. Migration occurred during both the day and night. The maximum distance anadromous char moved from saltwater was 40 km. The char were found only in freshwater between May and September and were normally located near the bottom of lakes at a depth of 15–40 m. During this period, large scale movements were probably very limited. Average annual mortality was estimated at 16.0% per year with the highest rates (25–30%) occurring at ages 10 and 15–17 years. Many fish probably died of old age but physical deterioration during and after spawning was also an important cause of death.