Analysis of Growth of Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar ) in a Small Newfoundland River

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Authors: Chadwick, E. M. P., Porter, T. R., Downton, P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1978
• Subjects: General Medicine; Atlantic salmon; Newfoundland; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f78-009; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f78-009

Growth and sea survival rates decreased with increasing smolt age, with survival being 12, 6, and 3% for 3+, 4+, and 5+ smolt, respectively. All spawning fish were grilse, which suggests that older smolt became large salmon and were thus more vulnerable to the commercial fishery. A density-dependent relationship was observed for 3+ smolt in their 1st yr of growth, but not for older smolt; younger smolt probably spend their juvenile life in a more productive but space-limiting part of the river. Variation between river-system environments may be responsible for the opposing results of studies on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) life history. Key words: Salmo salar, growth, sea survival, density dependence, first-year growth, age at smoltification