Stocking location and predation by marine fishes affect survival of hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon smolts

Abstract

Release strategies of hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., smolts were compared by studying survival and migration of smolts ( n = 99) and their predators (Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., n = 8; and saithe, Pollachius virens (L.), n = 2) during the first 37 km of the marine migration using acoustic telemetry. Survivorship was higher in smolts released at the river mouth (30%) compared with smolts released in the river (12%). This was likely due to mortality or reduced migratory behaviour in fresh water. The marine mortality was 37% during the first 2 km after leaving the river (at least 25% mortality because of predation from marine fishes), and total marine mortality over 37 km was 68%. Detection‐depth data were useful for evaluating whether the tagged smolts were alive or predated; mortality during the first 2 km of outward migration would have been underestimated at 26% instead of 37% without the analysis of depth detection. Transmitters from consumed post‐smolts remained in predators for up to 47 days (average 29 days).

Bibliographic Information