Historical changes in age structure of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in the River Eo, northern Spain

Abstract Variations in the age structure and number of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., running into the River Eo in northern Spain were assessed from catch records of sport fisheries for the period 1949 to 1991. The analysis focused on two periods (1951–1960 and 1981–1991) for which more complete data on fish number, size and age were available. Over the whole period, no evidence for a decline in the total salmon run was found, but the last few years revealed significant changes in both the number and age structure of salmon caught. The catches were mainly composed of multi-sea-winter salmon, and this did not change from the 1950s to the 1980s as the proportion of grilse remained unchanged. However, since 1980, there was a marked decline in both the proportion of 3-sea-winter salmon (versus 2-sea-winter fish) and the frequency of previous spawners among the multi-sea-winter salmon. These changes were probably linked because most of the previous spawners re-entered the river as 3-sea-winter or older salmon. River age of salmon caught in the 1950s was low and constant (about 90% of the catch had smolted at one year) but the mean age of smolting increased in the 1980s.     

Recent trends in the rod catches of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., from four sites on the River Spey

Abstract. Rod catches at four sites on the River Spey were analysed over the period 1970–1991. The year-by-year trends and seasonal patterns of rod catches varied according to site location. During the 1970s and 1980s the spring salmon catch from the Spey as a whole declined, mirroring a decline in catch at the lower sites in the river early in the year. Catches at the study sites did not always follow trends in the fishery as a whole, however, illustrating that the catch at any given site is not a simple function of the total number of available fish in the river. In the first 2 years of the 1990s the decline in early season catches continued, accompanied by a more general drop in catches throughout the angling season at three out of four sites.     

乌苏里江下游浮游动物群落结构及在河流健康评价中的地位

2010年5月（春季）、7月（夏季）、10月（秋季）对乌苏里江下游浮游动物的群落结构、季节变动、多样性及在河流健康评价中的地位进行了调查与研究,旨为乌苏里江渔业资源增殖放流提供背景资料。结果表明,乌苏里江下游（海青-乌苏镇江段）以原生动物（数量占87.7%）和轮虫（生物量占68.4%）为主,趋向小型化,且浮游动物的多样性较为丰富,为乌苏里江下游大麻哈鱼等许多名优水产动物的繁殖、育肥提供丰富的饵料基础。浮游动物个体较小、数量多、代谢活动强烈、繁殖迅速、易于散布,能对水体提供快速的早期反映;是食物网的重要基础环节,在水域生态系统的物质循环与能量流动中占有重要地位,是河流水生生物资源的重要组成部分,是河流健康评价的重要指标之一。     

乌苏里江下游浮游动物群落结构及在河流健康评价中的地位

2010年5月（春季）、7月（夏季）、10月（秋季）对乌苏里江下游浮游动物的群落结构、季节变动、多样性及在河流健康评价中的地位进行了调查与研究,旨为乌苏里江渔业资源增殖放流提供背景资料。结果表明,乌苏里江下游（海青-乌苏镇江段）以原生动物（数量占87.7%）和轮虫（生物量占68.4%）为主,趋向小型化,且浮游动物的多样...     

Hydropower operations in groundwater‐influenced rivers: implications for Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar,early life stage development and survival

During their early life stages (egg maturation, hatching, alevin development), between late autumn and early spring, young Atlantic salmon are exposed to surface‐groundwater interactions in the hyporheic zone and may depend on influx of subsurface water during periods of regulated low discharge for survival. Two studies, one in a seasonally regulated river and one in a river exposed to hydropeaking, displayed unexpectedly high survival of eggs in surface de‐watered areas because of the influx of oxygen‐rich subsurface water. Field observations of newly hatched alevins in these two rivers showed them to be more sensitive (i.e. suffered higher mortality from) to surface de‐watering than were eggs. Exposure to dry conditions in drawdown areas was highlighted as the main cause for alevin mortality. Therefore, shorter periods of surface de‐watering in the river with hydropeaking resulted in higher alevin survival than the seasonally regulated river when still permanently drained after egg hatching. Greater consideration should be given to all early life‐history stages when implementing discharge release strategies, and the extent of groundwater influence and the potential for flexible hydropower operations should be taken into account.     

Sex Ratio and Potential Fecundity of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Caught by Anglers on the Elorn River (Northern Brittany, France) during 1979 and 1980

Analysis of the sex ratio of angling Atlantic salmon catches from March to mid-June on the Elorn river in 1979 and 1980 showed a majority of females among the spring salmon population. Comparison between serodiagnostic technique and visual observations of gonads indicated that the former method provided a very low error margin for sex ratio determination on all females in the early stages of maturation and entering rivers. Study of sexual characteristics of spring salmon bearing copepod parasites or not indicated that fish entering freshwater would initiate a new stage of the ovogenesis process characterized by a failure of about 30% of the oocytes and a correlation between fecundity and size that did not exist at the time of the entry into freshwater.     

辽河干流自然保护区鱼类群落结构及其多样性变化

2010年9月、2011年5月和8月对辽河干流自然保护区开展了鱼类调查。结果显示,保护区共有鱼类28种,以杂食性耐污小型鱼类为主,其中鲤科鱼类占65.52%。与历史资料相比,鱼类种类大幅减少,且表现出营养结构简单化、鱼类资源小型化的特征。保护区鱼类群落组成存在显著的空间变化,可分为石佛寺水库上游、石佛寺水库下游和感潮河段3个区段。保护区上游鱼类多样性和物种丰富度指数高于下游;鱼类物种数秋季高于春季,而鱼类个体数均匀程度春季高于秋季。典范对应分析发现秋季TN(F=3.25,P=0.012)和水温(F=2.86,P=0.016)为显著影响鱼类群落的环境因子。     

Diel and seasonal abundance of fishes in the Platte River, Nebraska, USA

ABSTRACT:   The objective of the present study was to determine diel and seasonal patterns of fluvial fish composition and abundance. Electrofishing grids were used to collect fish in the Platte River at North Bend, Nebraska, USA. Sampling was started at 12.00 h and continued every 3 h for a 24-h period. More species were taken during the day than at night in the spring. In contrast, more species were taken at night than during the day in summer. In the fall, equal numbers of species were caught during the day and night. Comparisons of fish densities showed significant differences among the three seasons. Major taxa were significantly more abundant in spring, but river shiner Notropis blennius and western silvery minnow Hybognathus argyritis were more abundant in the fall. The greater nocturnal abundance of fish in summer and fall than in the spring may be due to changes in the physical and chemical characteristics during the study periods. The significance of seasonal difference in abundance of fish assemblages may indicate a response to changes in available habitats.     

Fishing tourism,biodiversity protection and regional politics in the River Tornionjoki,Finland

Abstract Salmon, Salmo salar L., fishing involves a broad range of interest groups and is thus a challenge for fisheries governance. This article focuses on the natural River Tornionjoki between Finland and Sweden, the most important wild salmon river in the Northern Baltic Sea. The marine salmon fisheries have been restricted to protect the declining wild salmon stocks and secure catches for fishing tourism. River fisheries interest groups have been absent from the salmon committees, but have taken other measures to influence salmon fisheries politics. This social movement has achieved its aims only partly, because of counteractions by the coastal commercial fishers and their associations. A forum for enabling dialogue between stakeholders is recommended to reduce tensions between the commercial fishery and tourism industry.     

Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) in Brittany and Lower-Normandy: Preliminary Observations on the General Characteristics of Adults

This paper presents some characteristics (length, weight and age) of adult Atlantic salmon in rivers of Brittany. The data were derived from 1,578 fish caught mainly by rod and line; the remainder being from net catches in estuaries and small samples taken outside the fishing season. The bulk of the fish spent 1 or 2 years in freshwater before smoltifying. Those fish becoming smolts at the end of 1 year were the most numerous (54%). The majority of the fish sampled were spring fish (82.4%). Very few summer fish were identified and those found were mainly grilse. The high proportion of spring fish in the sample is due to the high proportion of rod-caught fish. Probably a complete census over the year would show a larger proportion of grilse and summer fish as these are not subject to heavy rod-fishing the season being closed at the beginning of June. The relationship between sea age and river age and the influence of freshwater life upon the sea life were tested in four rivers. It seems probable that sea life depends chiefly on the river and the year of smoltification rather than on the freshwater stage. The biometric characteristics of Brittany salmon were compared with data from some foreign rivers. The angling exploitation of the spring Atlantic salmon in Brittany and the lack of data about summer migrations are discussed in regard to the future of this stock.     

Seasonal adjusted diets to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): Evaluations of a novel feed based on heat-coagulated fish mince, fed throughout 1 year in sea: Feed utilisation, retention of nutrients and health parameters

The present paper reports the results of a 1 year experiment using Atlantic salmon with a starting weight of 1.7 kg, and final weight of 7.4 to7.8 kg dependent of diet group. The experiment aimed to evaluate a direct production method of feed where landings from fishing vessels are used directly in feed processing. The dietary compositions followed the natural rhythm in lipid level of the catches of herring in the North Sea (Catch group) adjusted to be stable throughout one season only, and compared to a control diet (constant composition throughout the year) and a designed diet (opposite to the natural biorhythm of salmon lipid stores) (diet group Design). Four seasons were defined: spring (March, April, May), summer (June July August), autumn (September, October, November), winter (December, January, February). All diets varied in protein and lipid due to the adjustment according to season. The experiment was run in triplicate sea cages for each diet, using natural light and temperature regimes (21°N). All diet groups showed equal growth throughout each season, except for the Catch group during autumn showing lower SGR-values. SGR values varied significantly also between seasons for all diet groups, ranging from 0.29 during spring to 0.81 during autumn. Feed conversion ratio varied dependent on season and the dietary protein to energy ratio, at all seasons except winter. Quite a large variation between diet groups and seasons were registered in condition factor. Whole body lipid varied between seasons, as a consequence of dietary lipid levels, and increased as fish weight increased. After autumn growth only, whole body protein levels were significantly lower in the Catch group compared to the two other diet groups. Muscle lipid levels did not vary as a consequence of fish size alone, but varied substantially between seasons in both the Catch and Control groups, but not in the Design group. Muscle alpha-tocopherol and fatty acid profile varied due to diet in spring and autumn seasons, but with minor variations due to diet in summer and winter periods. Only minor influences from diet were registered in liver and heart compositions. Haematological parameters and plasma nutrient values ranged within normal values for salmon, and together with close to no mortality throughout the experiment, fish health was concluded to be good in all diet groups at all seasons. However, plasma asparagine aminotransferase (ASAT) values were quite high during summer and autumn, especially in the control group. These results point to the need of optimizing antioxidant composition of diets during the summer and early autumn season. Overall results show the possibility to obtain acceptable production results when feeding Atlantic salmon a diet adjusted to each season, as long as the fish protein to energy (P:E) requirements are met, further that total body lipid stores varied more than muscle lipid concentrations, and that the lipid levels were highly dependent on season, diet composition and fish size.     

Comparison of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., stocks exploited by commercial fisheries in the Adour Basin, France at the end of the 19th and 20th centuries

Abstract. The characteristics of the commercial catches of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in the Adour-Gaves Basin at the end of the 19th and 20th centuries were compared with regard lo age structure and mean weight-at-age. A visual analysis of the monthly weight distributions determined an age structure for the 20th century data which was proved to be consistent with the one obtained by scale-reading, ft was therefore used to study the 19th century weight frequency data. Age structure comparison showed a decrease in mean sea age between the two periods (most catches with one sea winter in the 1985-1990 period, instead of two sea winters in the 1873-1898 period). In addition, a drastic decline of the three-sea-winter salmon stock and the almost total disappearance of the four-sea-winter fish was noted between the two periods. The mean weight of one-sea-winter salmon seemed not to have changed while those of multi-sea-winter fish showed a slight decrease between the two periods. The main causes of those changes could have been the reduction of spawning areas due to the building of impassable dams, the dramatic increase in industrial pollution in both upper and lower parts of the rivers, and the exploitation of multi-sea-winter fish in sea fisheries.     

Comparative feeding, growth and movements of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr from riverine and estuarine environments

Abstract– The diet composition, movcments and growth of Atlantic salmon parr rearing in the estuary of Western Arm Brook, Newfoundland were compared with those of parr from riverine habitats over 2 years. Estuarine parr consumed a variety of prey, including many freshwater taxa (mainly insects), which indicated a dependence on freshwater drift from the river. Prey of estuarine origin (amphipods and sticklebacks) were increasingly consumed between spring and autumn. Prey volume per fish and number of prey per fish increased significantly for estuarine parr between spring and autumn, suggesting an improvement in food availability. Riverine parr, however, realized a general decrease in both parameters between spring and autumn. The recapture of 16% ( n = 131) of the 829 parr marked in the estuary in 1987 and 1988 indicated a directed movement toward the head of the estuary and river mouth, as also suggested by the diet analysis. Parr from outer estuary sites were very mobile compared with parr from the estuary site closest to the river mouth, which behaved more like parr in the river proper in displaying strong site fidelity. Movement patterns of parr were primarily along the shoreline. Individual growth rates were highly variable in both environments but especially in the estuary. The mean growth of estuarine parr was 0.23 mm. d⁻¹ between May and October with some evidence of fastest growth having occurred in late spring and early summer (approx. 0.4 mm. d⁻¹); mean growth rate of riverine parr was slower, at 0.12 mm. d⁻¹. The results are discussed in the context that estuarine rearing by salmon parr represents an alternative life-history tactic for the species in river systems in eastern Canada.     

The suitability of anadromous Arctic charr as host and vector of the monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris

Abstract –  In 2000, the Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) stock in the river Signaldalselva, North Norway was found to be infected with the monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris (Malmberg). This river system has a multispecies fish community of nine species in total. Low densities of Atlantic salmon parr were found during electrofishing in October (2003) with a prevalence of 94% and a mean abundance of 848 G. salaris. This watercourse also holds a riverine stock of anadromous Arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus ), which is not common in Norway. Among the parr of Arctic charr, 64% were infested with an abundance of 23 parasites per fish. The most heavily infected 0+ and 1+ juvenile Arctic charr had 469 and 534 parasites, respectively, indicating that the parasites are able to reproduce on Arctic charr in the wild. There was little variation in the rates of infestation of Arctic charr along the studied stretch of the river, even in areas with very low densities of Atlantic salmon parr. The parr of anadromous Arctic charr seem to be suitable as long-term hosts for G. salaris . Moreover, a few (22%) infested adult sea-running Arctic charr were captured after ascending the river in the autumn, which shows that large fish may also act as carriers of G. salaris . However, no parasites were recorded on potential anadromous Arctic charr before descending during early spring (April 2003 and April 2004). Thus, it is still not clear whether anadromous Arctic charr are able to disperse the parasite between watercourses. So far, it is uncertain whether G. salaris may increase the mortality rates of Arctic charr and thereby be a threat to these unusual occurring riverine anadromous Arctic charr stocks.     

The development of fisheries at Bornholm,Denmark (Baltic Sea) during 1880s–1914

For centuries the abundance of fish in the Baltic Sea has had an important role in the economy of Bornholm, Denmark. This study examines the development of Bornholm fisheries between approximately 1880s and 1914 on the basis of the first officially recorded Danish fisheries data. Several species were caught, but prior to 1914 especially herring, salmon and cod were economically most important. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the catch composition changed fundamentally due to complex interactions between biological, technological and economical factors. During the late 19th century the catches of herring increased, while the catches of salmon and cod decreased. This development coincided with the introduction of new technologies and fishing practices, including motorization of fishing vessels and the exploitation of herring in previously unexploited areas (i.e., expansion of fishing areas). In addition, the salmon fishery diminished after the introduction of driftnets, which caught large numbers of small salmon. The high catches of small salmon, in combination with other factors, probably contributed to the decline in catches of larger salmon. Each of the fisheries for the three species required different types of vessels and gear, and when catches began to drop in the salmon fishery, Bornholm fishermen were faced with two options. They could either specialise in the growing herring fishery, thereby hoping to maintain their income level, or they could pursue a strategy of risk minimization, by acquiring an income outside the fishing industry, while continuing to work part-time in the salmon and cod fisheries. This dual tendency was intensified further as marine engines and new types of vessels were introduced, raising the costs of fishing.     

Return migration of adult Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, in relation to water diverted through a power station

Abstract  The migration of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., returning to the River Suldalslågen, Norway, was studied in relation to redirection of freshwater flow through a power station. The outlet of the power station is situated in the Hylsfjord, a fjord adjacent to the river mouth. Seventy-two salmon were tagged with acoustic transmitters, released in the outer part of the fjord system and automatically recorded when entering the Hylsfjord or the river. Data were collected during one period when the power station was running and two periods when the power station was closed. The release of water from the power station did not greatly attract the salmon during their return migration. Proportions of salmon entering the river or time from release to entering the river did not differ among salmon tagged in the different periods. The salmon were recorded in the Hylsfjord both when the power station was running and closed and there were no differences in number of times, number of days or hours recorded in the Hylsfjord among salmon tagged in the three periods. The only significant difference found among periods was duration of continuous stays in the inner part of the Hylsfjord. This may indicate a slight attraction to the freshwater release, but the difference seems small (1.8 vs. 0.7 h) compared with the time the fish stayed in the fjord system before entering the river (16–85 days).     

Timing of migration and changes in age structure of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in the River Frome, a Dorset chalk stream, over a 24-year period

During the last 24 years, the number of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., migrating up the River Frome has varied between < 1000 and > 4000 fish per annum. Most parr become smolts at age 1+ and there are three main sea ages of salmon returning to the river. Each sea age shows a bimodal pattern of migration in the river. Primary migration times for 3-sea-winter (3SW) fish are spring and autumn, with 2SW fish and grilse (1SW) peaking in summer and autumn. Some 28.4% of 3SW and 6.9% of 2SW fish are previous spawners. Multi-sea-winter fish historically passed over the counter in all months of the year, but recently, their numbers have declined, as have total numbers of fish of all ages. There has been a fundamental change in the age structure of the population, with grilse increasing in proportion over the study period. Photographs of fish, taken for validation of the counter, showed a significant decrease in mean length of grilse, but an increase in mean length for 2SW and 3SW fish. Rod catch data support these findings.     

Importance of instream cover for young masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou, in autumn and winter

Densities of wild masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou Brevoort, were investigated before (late-September) and after (mid-November) autumnal habitat shifts in a small river in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Abundance of instream cover habitat formed by coarse woody debris, submerged vegetation and undercut banks was quantified. Density of 1+ and older masu salmon was significantly correlated with cover abundance in autumn, although cover was not significant for density of 0+ fish, indicating that clear-cut reaches were utilized by 0+ masu salmon in autumn. In early winter, densities of 0+ and 1+ and older masu salmon were both correlated with cover availability. These results suggest that the amount of cover habitat is an important regulator for densities of juvenile masu salmon during winter.     

Modelling the impacts of removing seal predation from Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, rivers in Scotland: a tool for targeting conflict resolution

Abstract  Bioenergetics were used to model the potential impacts on adult Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., stocks and rod fisheries of removing harbour seals, Phoca vitulina L., from three rivers of different scales in the Moray Firth, Scotland, viz: the Spey (large), Conon (medium) and Moriston (small). Overall, seals had the greatest impact on the Moriston, where removal of a single animal could increase cumulative catch by 17% during the fishing season. On the Conon and Spey the impacts were negligible, and resulted in increased catches of <1% annually. On all rivers eliminating seal predation had the greatest impact during the spring due to the smaller size of spring salmon sub-stocks. A generalised model of seal removal illustrated that stocks and catches increased by >33% in rivers with monthly rod catches ≤10 fish, but declined to <10% for rivers with catches >34 fish. The outputs of the models are qualitative, but provide a management tool for targeting action to resolve seal-salmon fishery conflict. Smaller salmon population units, and spring salmon sub-stocks and fisheries in particular, are most vulnerable to predation. The merit of this approach is discussed regarding the management of Special Areas of Conservation for salmon and seals.     

Drift diving: A quick and accurate method for assessment of anadromous salmonid spawning populations

The accuracy of drift diving surveys of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. and sea trout, Salmo trutta L., was evaluated by comparing the abundance and size distribution with catches in a fish trap over 6 years in the River Etneelva, western Norway. The population count from drift diving accounted for on average 96.3% of the salmon in the trap after accounting for the catches during fishing. Size structure registered during drift diving corresponded with trap catches of salmon, but the number of small salmon (<3 kg) appeared to be somewhat underestimated, while large salmon (>7 kg) were overestimated in drift diving. For sea trout, the match between drift diving counts and trap registrations was poorer (average 76.3%), but may have been affected by the surveys being performed too late with regards to sea trout spawning time. The study illustrates the utility of drift counting for estimating the entire population of anadromous salmonids in a river.