Predicting biomass of Atlantic salmon from morphometric lateral measurements

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Authors: Beddow, T. A., Ross, L. G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1996
• Subjects: Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1996.tb00042.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1095-8649.1996.tb00042.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1996.tb00042.x

Previously biomass predictions have been derived from simple weight—length relationships. This study measured a variety of truss and conventional dimensions covering the lateral body profile of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and, using regression analysis, developed a series of multifactor weight—lateral dimension relationships. Single‐factor regression equations proved inadequate for predicting weight with percentage errors between real and estimated values ranging from −1.2±6.8% to 72.5 ± 225.6%. Fifty‐two multifactor regression equations were generated that predicted accurately the weight of individual fish to within ±2% using combinations of conventional and truss measurements. Regression coefficients were found to be significantly different ( P <0.05) between Scottish and Norwegian strains, indicating morphological differences between the genetic groups. Norwegian fish were generally heavier for a given length compared to Scottish strains. This suggests that morphologically different strains of S. salar would require individual weight: lateral dimension relationships to be developed in order to predict biomass accurately to within commercially acceptable levels.