Winter condition and proximate composition of anadromous arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus) in eastern Ungava Bay, Quebec

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Boivin, Thomas G., Power, G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1990
• Subjects: Arctic charr; Kangiqsualujjuaq; Salvelinus alpinus; Ungava Bay
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z90-319; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z90-319

Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) were sampled during the winter of 1985–1986 in the Kangiqsualujjuaq area of northern Quebec to examine feeding patterns and temporal variation in condition. No feeding was observed at any time during the winter, and examination of gallbladder coloration indicated that feeding had not occurred for a long period of time. Proximate composition analysis of nonreproductive charr from Koroc River indicated that liver and muscle lipid and liver protein reserves changed during the winter fast, and this was most pronounced in early winter. Spent charr sampled at Lake Tasikallak had lower liver lipid and condition factor values and were more depleted than nonreproductive charr. Despite a reduction in lipids and protein during winter, the general condition of nonreproductive charr renders them suitable for commercial sale at any time of the year.