Development of a streamside incubator for culture of Pacific salmon

• Main Author: Poon, Derek Clinton
• Other Authors: McNeil, William J., Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University. Graduate School
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English; unknown
• Published: Oregon State University
• Subjects: Pink salmon; Alaska
• Online Access: https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/0p096b206

Criteria for the design and construction of a prototype streamside incubator for Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus) eggs and alevins are described. Operation of the prototype and methods of transporting freshly spawned salmon eggs from distant sources are reported. Effects of water velocity, stocking density, and substrate type on the growth, development, survival, and behavior of Pacific salmon embryos, alevins, and fry were studied. The results suggest that the optimum conditions result from low stocking density of about one layer of fertilized eggs, water velocity of 54 to 220 cm/hr. and a smooth cobble substrate. The prototype incubator was tested with about 500, 000 salmon eggs in 1968-69. Due to some serious mechanical problems and poor water circulation in the hatchery tanks, mortalities exceeded the fry production for the first year of operation. Several problems were identified and design improvements suggested. A method was developed for transporting live salmon eggs unfertilized by packing the eggs and milt in separate containers. By maintaining temperatures of 6°c and effecting fertilization after 20 hours in storage, very high ( > 90%) fertility was obtained. A practical application of the method was demonstrated with 150,000 pink salmon eggs transported from southeastern Alaska to Oregon.