Conservation translocation of Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) to a depleted Arctic fjord ecosystem

Large predators can have important functional roles in coastal ecosystems. In cases where such species are locally depleted or extirpated, a proactive restoration strategy may include conservation translocation. This study reports on such translocations of Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) to fjord habitats in northern Norway where the species is currently severely depleted. A total of 20 pioneer individuals measuring 42 – 80 cm in length were captured in outer coastal habitats and subsequently tagged, released, and tracked within a fjord using acoustic telemetry. A first group of seven individuals were monitored for 14 months during 2017 and 2018 while a second group of 13 individuals were monitored for four months during 2019. Up to 40% of translocated wolffish remained inside their new fjord environment until the study was terminated, while the remaining 60% likely dispersed. Weekly home range size decreased substantially with time for larger fish while this trend was weaker for s..., Atlantic wolffish were captured in the wild, tagged with acoustic transmitters, and translocated to to the inner part of a fjord where their movements and fate wre monitored within a fixed array of acoustic telemetry receivers. Detection data were downloaded at the end of the study, and thereafter processed and analysed using several scripts witin the R software., , # Conservation translocation of Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) to a depleted Arctic fjord ecosystem

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.sqv9s4ncj](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.sqv9s4ncj)

## Description of the data and file structure

Atlantic wolffish were captured in outer coastal habitats, near the Barents Sea, and transported to a field stations for tagging. Each individual was equipped with an acoustic telemetry transmitter with a depth sensor. After tagging, the fish were released in the inner part of a fjord monitored with a fixed array of telemetry receivers (Vemco VR2W's). Detection data was downloaded from the receivers at the end of the study period and based on these, we quantified individual fish movements and fate (residency vs. dispersal from the fjord). Data processing and analyses were conducted using several R-scripts that are available here along with the data files. I all data files, an empty cell means that this information has not been collected (missing data). ...