Salmon are a major source of protein for many people across the world and especially here in Canada. Large net pen farms on the east and west coasts raise this species more than any other in the country.
We’ve had the chance to see a lot of salmon farms in Canada and other places, like Ireland and Chile. Something that never changes is the way these fish behave on the farms. Seeing the fish “jump” out of the water is one of the most interesting things to see on a salmon farm.
Salmon are amazing fish that can migrate thousands of miles from the ocean up rivers to spawn, One of the most iconic behaviors of salmon is their tendency to jump completely out of the water in dramatic leaps and flips But why do salmon make these incredible jumps? There are actually several fascinating reasons behind this spectacle,
In this article we’ll explore the leading theories and research behind what motivates salmon’s jumping antics. Understanding what drives them to take to the air gives insight into their biology and life cycle. Let’s dive in to unravel the mystery of why salmon jump!
Overcoming Obstacles in Migration
Another main reason salmon have to jump is to get over things like waterfalls and rapids on their way upriver to spawn. Salmon will do anything to get to their home streams, where they were born.
Jumping allows salmon to clear steep ledges rocks, and small waterfalls that block their upstream progress. By propelling themselves out of the water, they can bypass barriers in the river. Salmon have been observed making remarkable leaps of up to 13 feet vertically to clear obstacles.
This jumping behavior is driven by an instinctive drive and navigational ability to return to their exact place of birth to reproduce after years away at sea. Their strong homing ability combined with powerful jumping enables salmon to reach their spawning grounds against all odds.
Escaping Predators
Salmon also often jump to get away from animals that gather at waterfalls and rapids to catch them, like bears, eagles, and other animals.
By launching themselves quickly out of the water in an explosive jump, salmon can evade nearby predators in an instant. This can help them avoid becoming an easy meal for a hungry bear or eagle.
Salmon have quick reflexes and strong instincts to stay alive, as shown by their ability to jump out of the jaws of death at the last second. Their jumps are very fast and hard to predict, which makes it easier for them to stay alive against smart predators.
Dislodging Parasites
After spending part of their life in the ocean, salmon often pick up external parasites like sea lice that attach to their skin and fins.
It is thought that salmon jump partially to dislodge these irritating parasites as they transition from saltwater to freshwater. The force of hitting the water after jumping can help knock the parasites off their bodies.
Additionally, the change from saline to fresh water can help detach and kill some ocean parasites. Salmon may jump to hasten this de-lousing process as they return to their natal rivers.
Jumping out of the ocean may also allow salmon to survey their surroundings for navigation back to the river mouth. So jumping can serve multiple migratory purposes beyond just shaking off pests.
Signaling Dominance & Competing for Mates
As salmon migrate upstream near spawning grounds, jumping may also function as an aggressive display to signal dominance and compete for mates.
Energetic jumping can be a show of strength and vitality to intimidate competing salmon. In particular, male salmon may jump to impress females and deter rival male challengers.
Jumping displays could help establish hierarchy for mate selection, in which the highest jumpers earn the privilege to breed. The most dominant, fit males often jump the most frequently.
So jumping likely plays a role in social status, competition, courtship and mating success for spawning salmon. Only the strongest survive the journey upstream, and jumping communicates that strength.
Joyful Play Behavior
In fact, some scientists believe salmon also jump simply for fun or play. Salmon tend to jump more frequently in calm pools away from challenging rapids and obstacles.
These joyful jumps for no apparent reason suggest play behavior. Salmon also jump more often on sunny days which improves their mood.
Since play involves expending energy for pure enjoyment, it indicates health and vigor. Play jumping may communicate to potential mates that the salmon has plenty of energy reserves left for successful spawning.
So in some cases, jumping can be a purposeless game rather than survival tactic. Salmon at play capture the imagination and hint at complex cognitive abilities we are still discovering in fish.
Improving Vision & Orientation
Salmon may also temporarily jump out of the water to improve their vision and get better bearings on location.
Leaping above the water’s surface gives salmon an aerial view to identify key landmarks as they navigate back to natal spawning grounds after years away. Scientists think jumping might reset salmon’s navigation systems.
Emerging from the water also allows their eyes to function better compared to underwater. So jumping lets salmon gain a new visual perspective and sense of place. It essentially serves as a recon mission to ensure they stay on the right path upstream.
In the end, salmon jump for a variety of interconnected reasons including migration, survival, communication, play, and navigation. This marvelous behavior is powered by salmon’s athletic abilities and determination to complete their life cycle.
Different jumping motivations all come into play, but overcoming obstacles and reaching spawning grounds remain the master incentives. Next time you see salmon jumping, take a moment to appreciate everything happening behind that magnificent leap.
Why Do Salmon Jump?
We took a picture at a Marine Harvest farm in Campbell River, BC, to show you what we mean by “jump.” How can fish jump when they don’t have legs?
See! The fish doesn’t just dive out of the water for a second but actually appears to have “jumped” out. This is a very common occurrence among salmon. However the real reason as to why the fish jump is unknown and debated by many. Some explain that salmon jump to clean their gills and scales. Others believe it has to do with hormonal changes in the fish.
When a farm manager sees that their salmon aren’t jumping, they can see, check, and test a number of things to figure out what is wrong and why the salmon are acting strangely.
Use ROVs to examine conditions affecting fish welfare on your farm
Deep Trekker has learned a lot from our trips to these farms, including how important it is to watch how the fish behave. An aquaculture customer told us that they use their ROV every day on the farm to quickly check the pens and stock to make sure the salmon can jump and school properly.
Farms can do these daily checks (and many more) with an ROV like the Deep Trekkers DTG3 system to keep their operations running smoothly and give them peace of mind.
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How Salmon Swim Upstream
FAQ
What causes salmon to jump out of water?
What is a salmon leap?
How high can salmon jump?
Why do salmon jump?
I like to tell our guests the salmon they see jumping are teenagers. As a salmon prepares to spawn, its hormones rage and its body changes color and shape. These jumping fish are the equivalent of a human teenager, so they act like teenagers. While this explanation is always good for a laugh, there is no scientific evidence to support it.
Can salmon jump out of water?
After letting the experiment run for 3 days, the scientists found that salmon that couldn’t jump from the water had 28% more sea lice than those that could, as they report in an article cheekily titled “Oust the Louse” in the Journal of Fish Biology. Jumping out of the water isn’t a risk-free proposition for the salmon.
Why do salmonids jump?
Salmonids of several species and other fishes can jump into the air from the water. This behavior has been used in net pen culture applications to control parasitic sea lice. The reasons that salmonids jump remain a topic for speculation. Research on these behaviors has focused on Atlantic salmon in net pen culture in Northwest Europe.
Why do salmon spawn if they can’t jump?
Evolution has selected this jumping trait. Most salmon spawn in small streams and they must navigate shallow water, rapids, and sometimes even waterfalls. If they couldn’t jump, many salmon would never make it to their spawning grounds. Again, this explanation is only my opinion, but I believe it has some merit.