Review of morphological and behavioural differences between reared and wild individuals: Implications for sea‐ranching of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., and European lobster, Homarus gammarus L.

• Published in: Fisheries Management and Ecology
• Main Authors: SVÅSAND, T., SKILBREI, O. T., VAN DER MEEREN, G. I., HOLM, M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1998
• Subjects: atlantic cod; Atlantic salmon; European lobster; Gadus morhua; Homarus gammarus; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2400.1998.560473.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1046%2Fj.1365-2400.1998.560473.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1365-2400.1998.560473.x

Abstract The main question which must be raised when planning to enhance natural populations through sea ranching is whether reared organisms are fit for a life in the wild, or more specifically, whether there are differences between reared and naturally resident individuals. The causes and effects of these differences are reviewed, and results from the Norwegian enhancement programme, which compared reared and wild individuals of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., and European lobster, Homarus gammarus L., are discussed with emphasis on morphological and behavioural differences. It was concluded that exposure to an artificial rearing environment during ontogeny can affect both the phenotype and the behaviour of the reared individuals, and thereby, their potential for survival after release into the wild as well. Suggestions are made as to how to diminish observed differences, and thereby, improve the survival potential.