Estuarine Growth of Juvenile Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) as Inferred from Otolith Microstructure

Abstract

The growth of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Sixes River Estuary, Oregon, was inferred from otolith microstructure. Otolith increments appeared to be formed daily, on average, and a transition between those produced during freshwater residence and estuary residence was apparent. Otolith microstructure was also examined with respect to time series of water temperature, population density, and benthic standing crop data. While the results supported the hypothesis of food-limited growth, elevated water temperatures in midsummer may have decreased food conversion efficiencies, thus also contributing to an observed growth rate decline. It was also found that from counts of otolith increments formed during freshwater life, fish that hatched relatively late tended to spend less time in freshwater before moving downstream to the estuary.