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Spawning movements of humpback whitefish in interior A laska rivers
Author(s) -
Dupuis Aaron W.,
Sutton Trent M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
ecology of freshwater fish
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1600-0633
pISSN - 0906-6691
DOI - 10.1111/eff.12079
Subject(s) - fishery , habitat , humpback whale , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , geography , ecology , whale
Abstract This study was conducted to describe the spawning movements and identify spawning areas for humpback whitefish C oregonus pidschian in the M into F lats– C hatanika R iver complex, A laska, during 2008 and 2009. Radio transmitters were surgically implanted in humpback whitefish in 2008 ( N = 60) and 2009 ( N = 100), and fish positions were determined through a combination of boat and aerial surveys and fixed receiving stations. Two spawning areas were identified: one in the C hatanika R iver downstream of the E lliot H ighway B ridge and the other in the T anana R iver near F airbanks. Humpback whitefish dispersed from the wetland complex of M into F lats in J une, moved upstream through late A ugust, arrived at the spawning areas in early S eptember and began moving downstream in early O ctober. In 2009, spatially segregated movements were observed when approximately 40% of the radio‐tagged humpback whitefish moved to the T anana R iver, suggesting that humpback whitefish in M into F lats are comprised of mixed spawning stocks. These study results provide a complete account of humpback whitefish movements and their associated spawning habitats, which will allow for better‐informed management strategies.