The Ocean Tracking Network’s (OTN) Pacific Arena research (OTN projects 4.12-4.15) focused on anadromous Pacific salmon and white sturgeon. Anadromous species live mostly at sea, returning to freshwater to spawn. Salmon and sturgeon were selected due to their ecological, cultural and socioeconomic importance; public concern (sockeye salmon declines in the Fraser River in particular were flagged for action by the Cohen Commission); and their use of both inland and marine waters. 

A variety of tagging technologies, including acoustic, radio, passive integrated transponder tags and biologgers, were used to track fish. The project documented movements and survival of the fish across spatial scales that were previously unattainable. 

Regulations required non-target bycatch species to be released when they were accidentally captured in authorized fisheries. To understand the effectiveness of these regulations, OTN researchers studied post-release delayed mortality rates, behaviour, and injury of four species of salmon on the coast of British Columbia. By-caught chinook, coho, chum and sockeye salmon were examined in relation to different capture methods (beach seine, gillnet and purse seine), handling, recovery and environmental characteristics.  

Researchers used special gear and practices employed by commercial and Indigenous harvesters to identify realistic strategies for improved fish recovery. This enabled researchers to make recommendations to stakeholders and minimize mortality of these species upon release. Findings suggest that assisted ventilation (manoeuvring fish to move water over the gills) prior to release has limited beneficial effects. 

Several studies on telemetry and tagging techniques, principally maximum tag load, were conducted to advance telemetry science and practices in the wild. OTN researchers made major contributions to a Fisheries and Oceans Canada Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat report that provided the latest information on the survival rates of coastal migrating salmon, and assisted fisheries managers with decisions related to salmon conservation.