Atlantic

Salmon

Federation

Adopt-a-Smolt Program

Buy a "pinger" to adopt a smolt and follow its progress through the field season, thanks to this pioneering research being carried out by ASF biologists.
 
$500 Click below -
email Kirsten Rouse krouse@asf.ca

 

Salmon Adoption Possible!


Help support ASF's important and exciting smolt tracking research program by "adopting a smolt" this summer. You will receive regular updates on your smolt including its river of origin, length and weight. By the end of the field season, we will know which route it used to travel out to sea (or not!) as well as its final destination.

Why this story matters

One of the most significant problems facing wild Atlantic salmon today is excessive mortality as salmon shift from their native rivers and dwell in the sea.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) has developed and refined sophisticated tracking equipment so that we can determine what is happening on this journey

Acoustic tags, known as pingers and automated underwater receivers are used to map migration routes and travel patterns of salmon smolt over time.

Goals of ASF Smolt Tracking Research
  • Determine migration patterns of smolt and adult salmon
  • Discover critical habitats and feeding areas
  • Determine the impact of birds, seals and other predators
  • Estimate losses of smolt in fresh water, estuaries and the sea.
  • Correlate movements of fish with environmental variables, notably currents and water temperatures
  • Determine when and where mortality occurs

The story so far

To date, ASF has compiled key data from four rivers over more than three years.

In each year tracking units (or "pingers") were implanted in 200 smolt originating in the Miramichi, Restigouche, Cascapedia and St Jean river systems.

Using cutting edge technology - these fish were tagged and tracked using receiver arrays installed throughout the rivers and for the first time, as far as the Strait of Belle Isle off the coast of Labrador.

How you can Help

You can support this research initiative by sponsoring a smolt from the Restigouche, Miramichi, St Jean or Grand Cascapedia River.

Pingers cost $500 each and in return ASF will provide you with three chapters as our SMOLT STORY continues and as the research season unfolds.

For more info - download the brochure!!

 Buy a "pinger" to adopt a smolt and follow its progress through the field season, thanks to this pioneering research being carried out by ASF biologists 

$500 Email Kirsten Rouse - krouse@asf.ca

For more info - download the brochure!!

A VR2 receiver is deployed in the Baie des Chaleurs. ASF is a pioneer in deploying this technology to uncover the secrets of Atlantic salmon smolt migration at sea.

 

 

 

 

Atlantic salmon smolt recover after having had sonic "pingers" surgically implanted that allow scientists to track their movement half the distance to Greenland feeding grounds.

 

 

 

This is a sonic "pinger" that provides specific information on the travels of one particular Atlantic salmon smolt. Recent advances in the battery technology are allowing the units to work for a year or more.

Each unit is costly, but provides valuable scientific information on salmon movements.

 

 

 

 


An ASF biologist carefully implants a pinger in one of Atlantic salmon smolt that will be allowed to continue on its migration across the ocean towards Greenland.