Migration Modelling Studies by Dr Kjell Arne Mork

The objective of this research is to merge the results from the other workpackages with ocean currents from an ocean model in order to increase our knowledge of the behavioural processes that determine migration and distribution of salmon at sea. To address this, a conceptual migration and ecological model will be developed by using the ocean currents together with the post-smolt distribution data for specific stocks acquired in the other workpackages. Several different biological and oceanographic associations/hypotheses on swimming behaviour will be tested using a particle-drift model which is based on the ocean current fields. Distribution maps for specific stocks/populations will be developed to both visualize the movement of the young salmon and to refine the migration model. The migration model will also be used to refine sampling strategies for future marine surveys.

An example from the particle drift model. Modeled trajectories after 2 months drift of 10,000 post-smolts (red dot) released on the 1 May 2008. Active swimming behavior (directed with the current) is included. Only trajectories through the Faroe-Shetland Channel are shown.