Re-introduction of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., to the Tadnoll Brook, Dorset

• Main Authors: Edwards, Francois K., Lauridsen, Rasmus B., Fernandes, Wendy P.A., Beaumont, William R.C., Ibbotson, Anton T., Scott, Luke, Davies, Cynthia E., Jones, J. Iwan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Zoology; Ecology and Environment; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/5560/; http://www.dorsetcountymuseum.org/research/c130.html

Atlantic salmon had become extinct in Tadnoll Brook, Dorset, a tributary of the Frome. Fry were reared from River Frome native stock and introduced to Tadnoll Brook. Dispersal downstream of the introduction site was high initially, through at least 1 km; despite dispersal a density of salmon parr of 8 per 100 m2 was achieved in the introduction reach. Survival was 71 % egg – fry in egg boxes, 4.1 % fry – smolt and 2.9 % egg – smolt. There were two migratory periods, in the autumn following the introduction, and in the following spring. Approximately 45 % of the surviving population remained in Tadnoll Brook for a second summer. Observed patterns were consistent with suggestions that fry and parr distribution is constrained by habitat limitation.