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Sprinting salmon less likely to survive migration

Migrating salmon that sprint through water rapids could be at a higher risk of dying.

University of British Columbia scientists found fish that choose to burst swim — move upstream through fast-moving water — for long periods were more likely to die on the way to their spawning grounds than slower-swimming fish.

Previous research has shown burst swimming — similar to human sprinting — required more oxygen and energy, and could lead to a heart attack.

The researchers tagged sockeye salmon with transmitters that tracked how fast the fish swam and how much oxygen they consumed as they navigated through a fishway and two lakes.

The study, which was published in the journal Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, demonstrated how important it was for salmon to have easy access around river obstacles.

Read more at University of British Columbia

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