The Weight-Length Relationship of the Atlantic Salmon

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Author: Hoar, William S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1939
• Subjects: General Medicine; Atlantic salmon
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f38-046; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f38-046

Changes in the condition of the Atlantic salmon have been traced throughout the life of the fish. During two periods only does the coefficient of condition—studied through comparisons of the weight-length relationships—deviate widely from a value of one. At the beginning of the river life (on emerging from the gravel), and at the beginning of the sea life (during smolt metamorphosis), the coefficient is lower. For parr and adult salmon the factor varies with the size, age, and sex of the fish, the season of the year and the environment. The last three factors influence the condition of the smolt. For adult salmon, no constant difference is found in the condition of "spring" and "summer" fish, nor between fish which migrated to the sea as two- or three-year smolts. Spawned fish, taken during commercial fishing, are as well conditioned as maiden fish.