Exploring the role of the physical marine environment in silver eel migrations using a biophysical particle tracking model

Abstract

Abstract Both the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and European eel (Anguilla anguilla) undertake long-distance migrations from continental waters to their spawning sites in the Sargasso Sea. Their migration routes and orientation mechanisms remain a mystery. A biophysical particle tracking model was used in this study to simulate their oceanic migration from two release areas: off the Scotian Shelf (Canada) and off the Irish continental shelf. Two plausible swimming-directed behaviours were considered for simulating two different migratory paths: true navigation to specific spawning sites and innate compass orientation towards the vast spawning area. Several combinations of swimming speeds and depths were tested to assess the effect of ocean circulation on resulting migratory pathways of virtual eels (v-eels), environmental conditions experienced along their oceanic migration, and energy consumption. Simulations show that the spawning area can be reached in time by constantly swimming and following a readjusted heading (true navigation) or a constant heading (compass orientation) even at the lowest swimming speed tested (0.2 m s−1) for most v-eels. True navigation might not be necessary to reach the spawning area. The ocean currents affect mainly the migration of American v-eels, particularly for swimming speeds lower than 0.8 m s−1. The ocean circulation increases the variability in the oceanic migration and generally reduces the efficiency of the v-eels, although positive effects can be possible for certain individuals. The depth range of diel vertical migration (DVM) significantly affects the total energy expenditure due to the water temperature experienced at the various depths. Model results also suggest that energy would not be a limiting factor as v-eels constantly swimming at 0.8 BL s−1 spent <25 and 42% of energy available for migration for American and European v-eels, respectively.