ESRF - Atlantic Salmon Offshore Tracking Project - Ocean Drifters

This collaborative research project will use acoustic and satellite telemetry to determine when, where and for how long Atlantic salmon from three different life stages (post-smolt, kelts returning to sea to recondition, and multi-sea winter adults) are in the Eastern Canadian offshore regions (Environmental Studies Research Fund [ESRF] Regions 8 to 15) of interest for oil and gas development to inform regulatory decision-making and future project development. This research project has been developed and is being implemented collaboratively with First Nations and partners from academia, the NGO sector, government and the public. The project is led by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Martha Robertson, Principal Investigator). Results will contribute significantly to our currently limited understanding of how Atlantic salmon use the marine areas off Eastern Canada and support evidence-based decision making and co-development of best operational practices to minimize potential adverse impacts of oil and gas activities on Atlantic salmon.