Artificial reconditioning of wild sea trout, Salmo trutta L., as an enhancement option: initial results on growth and spawning success

Abstract  Following a sea trout stock collapse in 1989 and 1990, wild sea trout kelts were successfully reconditioned in brackish water using semi-moist pellets and a commercial broodstock diet. The on-growing of wild sea trout smolts was not so successful. Natural mortality was 12.9%, and 36.1% of the fish failed to adapt to the artificial diets: 82% of these were smolts. Instantaneous growth was highest from June to August (0.74%), with an overall rate for April to September of 0.51%. At the end of the first year. 36 females and 26 males matured; 34 females, with a mean fork length of 33.2 cm, were stripped yielding 22860 ova at a mean rate of 682 ova per female or 1586 ova kg^-1 body weight. The survival of green ova to eyed ova was 90–98%, and survival from green ova to hatched alevin was 95%.     

Fecundity, egg size and total egg volume differences in 12 stocks of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Richardson

Abstract. Measurements of egg number, egg size and total egg volume in relation to post-stripped weight, made on the eggs stripped from 12 separately maintained farm stocks of 4-year-old rainbow trout. Oncorhynchus mykiss Richardson, revealed highly significant differences between populations when analysed by regression and covariance statistical techniques. All of the stocks showed increases in fecundity with increasing fish size, with 61% (coefficient of determination or r²) of the variation in fecundity of the 12 stocks explained by the common regression on parental fish size. Comparison of the regressions of the different stocks revealed that the rate of increase of fecundity with increasing fish weight was constant throughout the weight range (i.e. the regressions had similar slopes) although there were highly significant differences in elevation, with some stocks producing almost twice as many eggs as some of the others. By contrast, the relationship of egg size with fish weight was much more variable with three of the stocks showing no significant regression of egg size on fish weight and a further two stocks with data poorly fitted to the regressions. Of the remaining seven stocks only one showed a significant difference in slope of the regression with modest increases in fish weight being associated with large increases in egg size. Only four of the remaining stocks of fish showed significant differences in the elevation of their regressions, i.e. the egg sizes were significantly different after the potentially conflicting influence of fish size was partitioned using covariance techniques. Assessments of total egg volume produced far improved regressions on post-strip weight with 75% (r²) of the variation in the pooled data of the 12 stocks being described by the line of the common regression. In general, there appeared to be a “trade-off” between egg number and size with the most and least fecund fish producing somewhat smaller and larger eggs respectively. All 12 regressions of totai egg volume on fish weight showed a common slope. However, there were significant differences in elevation of the regressions, with some of the stocks of trout producing up to a 55% greater volume of eggs. There appeared to be no relationship between the differences in egg number, size or total egg volume and the type or geograpfiical location of the farms on which the stocks were held. Although it remains to be determined to what extent these differences in reproductive performance are Inheritable, it is recommended that these characteristics should be taken into account by hatcheries in tbe design of long-term broodstock selection programmes for rainbow trout.     

Investigating patterns of straying and mixed stock exploitation of sea trout,Salmo trutta,in rivers sharing an estuary in south‐west England

For effective management, information on the stock composition of a fishery is essential. Here, the utility of a resident trout, Salmon trutta L, microsatellite baseline to determine the origins of sea trout entering the rivers Tamar, Tavy and Lynher in south‐west England is highlighted – all share a common estuary and have major runs of sea trout. There is a high degree of geographical structuring of the genetic variation in the baseline rivers. Testing with simulated and real data sets showed fish can be assigned to reporting group with a high degree of accuracy. Mixed stock analysis of >1000 sea trout showed that fish entering the Tamar and Tavy constituted mixed stocks. Significantly, in the Tamar, non‐natal origin sea trout are restricted to the lower catchment. As well as providing insight into sea trout behaviour, this study also has important implications for the management of recreational rod and line fisheries.     

The Irish sea trout enhancement programme: an assessment of the parr stocking programme into the Burrishoole catchment

The success of the sea trout, Salmo trutta L., enhancement programme carried out in the Burrishoole catchment in the west of Ireland from 1993 until 1998 is reviewed in terms of the number of fish stocked, the number of fish which migrated to sea and the number which returned from sea during this period. The success of the programme is also evaluated in terms of the cost of producing parr for stocking and the subsequent value of returning post-smolts (0+ sea age) and rod caught fish. A total of 49 235 tagged fish were released into Lough Feeagh, between 1993 and 1998. Of these fish, 14 788 were microtagged and the remainder, 34 447 had either elastomer or alphanumeric visible implant (VI) tags. Tag loss rates at release varied from 3 to 5.7%. Over the course of the programme a maximum of 7801 fish migrated through the traps towards sea, of which 581, or 7.4%, returned. In any 1 yr a maximum 13.1% of fish returned from sea. The average cost of producing a parr for stocking out was €1.15, which translated into average values of €8.16 per smolt and €169 per returning post-smolt.     

Electrophoretic evaluation of a supplemental stocking programme for brown trout, Salmo trutta L.

Abstract. Over a 15-year period hatchery brown trout, Salmo trutta L., have been added 10 Lower Lough Erne, Northern Ireland to supplement declining native populations. Introductions have mainly comprised eyed ova and fingerlings, stocked into a number of rivers in the Erne drainage. Utilizing a natural genetic tag an electrophoretic assessment of the stocking programme was undertaken. The percentage hatchery genetic contribution in trout populations varied widely from river to river (19%-91%). Lough-caught brown trout (3+ and older) showed a substantial (21·5%) hatchery genetic component. Introgression of native-and hatchery stocks was evident. The resultant deleterious genetic consequences for the conservation of the unique Lough Erne brown trout gene pool arc discussed and alternative management strategies are proposed.     

A genetics analysis of the performance of three rainbow trout broodstocks

The reproductive performance of three domesticated rainbow trout broodstocks spawning at 2 years of age was analysed using data collected over a period of 5 years. Data were collected for post-spawning body weight, volume of eggs spawned, egg size, egg number and fertility to the eyed egg stage. There were significant differences among the stocks attributable to both genetic and environmental causes. In addition, there were marked differences between year-classes, isolated from each other due to 2-year spawning. The differences appeared to be genetic in origin and demonstrated the effect of sampling the original parents.Heritabilities estimated from full-sib comparisons indicated male weight was more influenced by environmental stress at spawning than was female weight. Heritability estimates for egg volume, egg size and egg number ranged from 0.05 to 0.76 for individual stocks, but when averaged for the three stocks the range was from 0.32 to 0.52. Egg size was found to have the lowest heritability of the three traits. The heritability of fertility was found to be low and was the lowest for the stock with the poorest fertility.Genetic and phenotype correlations among the traits were also estimated. The relationship between body weight and egg volume and size were both positive as was that between egg volume and egg size. It was determined that egg volume was the principal determinant of egg number and that the relationship of number to size could be negative. The latter evidence was obtained by artificially adjusting the egg production traits to a constant female body size. The result suggested that females that produce larger numbers of eggs are likely to produce smaller eggs unless the change is associated with a marked increase in body weight. It is recommended that selection for egg size be included in all selection programs and that egg number be ignored in any selection program designed to increase body size.     

Economic valuation of inland recreational fisheries: empirical studies and their policy use in Norway

Cost-benefit analyses (CBAs) of liming programmes in selected acidified rivers and lakes in southern Norway, showed a benefit–cost ratio (B/C) varying from 1.2 for brown trout, Salmo trutta L., lakes to 4.4. for Atlantic salmon, S. salar L., rivers. Contingent valuation (CV) and travel cost (TC) methods were used to estimate recreational value (use value) and non-use value of increased fish stocks. These local studies, and two national CV surveys, were used by the environmental authorities to document the benefits of liming and other fish stock restoration and preservation programmes. They were also used to calculate social benefits from local reductions in air pollution and international agreements on reduced air emissions of acid compounds. The Norwegian Fishing and Hunting Association (NJFF) also successfully used the results to increase the governmental funds for liming by 300% between 1993 and 1995. The NJFF have since used these results to fight reductions in the liming budget, and has managed to keep it constant at about €13.5 million annually. However, €40 million are needed annually to neutralize the current acid depositions in Norway. Two national CV surveys found social benefits of increased fish stocks 2–4 times higher than these costs.     

Relationship between sea lice levels on sea trout and fish farm activity in western Scotland

The relationship between aquaculture and infestations of sea lice on sea trout, Salmo trutta L., is controversial. Here, the association between sea lice infestations on wild sea trout and characteristics of local Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farms were investigated using data collected on the Scottish west coast. The proportion of sea trout with louse burdens above a critical level was positively related to the fork length of the sea trout and the mean weight of salmon on the nearest fish farm, and negatively related to the distance to that farm. The distance to the nearest fish farm did not influence the probability of infestations above the critical level beyond 31 km although there was considerable uncertainty around this cut‐off distance (95% limits: 13–149 km). The results support a link between Atlantic salmon farms and sea lice burdens on sea trout in the west of Scotland and provide the type of information required for marine spatial planning.     

Infestation parameters for Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer) (Copepoda: Caligidae) parasitic on sea trout, Salmo trutta L., off the west coast of Ireland during 1990 and 1991

Abstract. Infestation parameters for the calígíd copepod Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer) infesting sea trout, Salmo trutta L., were established for a number of locations off the west coast of Ireland during 1990 and 1991. Based on these parameters sites were classified into two groups in 1990 and three in 1991. Median parasitic intensity in these groups was 11·6 and 77 in 1990 and 9·5, 29·5 and 55 in 1991. Fish were parasitized mainly by chalimus stages of the parasite which attached preferentially to the fins. Heaviest infestations were invariably due to chalimus stages and early pre-adult lice and there was a progressive decrease in the correlation between parasitic intensity and the number of each successive stage in the life cycle. This suggested either host or parasite mortality as the parasite matured. Large numbers of lice-infested fish returned prematurely from the sea to estuarine areas at a number of sites. Extensive morphological damage, especially to the fins, was apparent on a proportion of these fish as a result of the infestation. Mortality of heavily infested fish was directly observed.     

Inland fish stock assessment: Applying data‐poor methods from marine systems

Inland fisheries can be diverse, local and highly seasonal. This complexity creates challenges for monitoring, and consequently, many inland fish stocks have few data and cannot be assessed using methods typically applied to industrial marine fisheries. In such situations, there may be a role for methods recently developed for assessment of data‐poor fish stocks. Herein, three established data‐poor assessment tools from marine systems are demonstrated to highlight their value to inland fisheries management. A case study application uses archived length, catch and catch‐per‐unit‐effort data to characterise the ecological status of an important recreational brown trout stock in an Irish lake. This case study is of specific use to management of freshwater sport fisheries, but the broader purpose of the paper was to provide a crossover between marine and inland fisheries science, and to highlight accessible data‐poor assessment approaches that may be applicable in diverse inland systems.     

Infectious pancreatic necrosis in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L

A clinical and histopathological review was carried out of 21 outbreaks of acute infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in Scottish Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farms (13 marine and eight fresh water) during 1991-2004. A distinctive syndrome was evident in both post-smolts in sea water and fry in fresh water, where liver lesions, which had not previously been associated with IPN, became a consistent finding in addition to the more typical pancreatic and intestinal changes. Initial cases were described in post-smolts in Shetland, but by the end of the period of investigation this type of pathology had extended down the West coast of Scotland and into Ireland. Limited viral strain analysis suggested that similar strains were involved in both fresh water and sea water and that these differed from earlier isolates from rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). In fresh water, recovered fish frequently developed a greatly distended intestine associated with accumulation of undigested food. In sea water, after the initial, often significant (50% or more), losses, there were many fish which failed to grow and became chronically emaciated and prone to sea louse infection. Although use of transfer diets containing immune enhancers and the selection of IPN resistant broodstock has reduced losses the disease remains a serious cause of economic loss.     

Comparative Survival from Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Stocking with Eyed and Green Ova in an Upland Stream

The survival rates of salmon stocked as eyed ova and green eggs in an upland trout stream were compared by electrofishing a number of sites during their first summer and at the end of their first complete year. The results were compared with the survival rates in the naturally spawning trout population. It was found that the survival rates from eyed ova were considerably better than that from green eggs and the results were discussed in the context of environmental effects and territorial competition in emerging fry.     

Flavobacterium psychrophilum in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), hatcheries: studies on broodstock, eggs, fry and environment

The occurrence of Flavobacterium psychrophilum at four rainbow trout hatcheries was investigated to provide more knowledge about the reservoirs and transmission of this bacterium. Broodstock were sampled at stripping (including both unfertilized and fertilized eggs), and the offspring were then sampled at the eyed egg and fry stages. Water and surface samples (e.g. hatchery trays) were also sampled. Flavobacterium psychrophilum was found in ovarian fluid and milt, indicating that broodstock may serve as a reservoir and are latent carriers of the pathogen. Flavobacterium psychrophilum was not found on or inside eggs, but further egg studies will be necessary to elucidate the possibility of vertical transmission of the pathogen. Flavobacterium psychrophilum was isolated from water samples, but only from water that had been in close contact with farmed rainbow trout or eggs. Flavobacterium psychrophilum isolates were characterized and compared with well-characterized strains, using degradation of elastin, serotype and ribotype profiles. Different ribotypes of F. psychrophilum were found between hatcheries, but a common ribotype A was found at all four hatcheries. Different ribotypes were found in broodstock without clinical disease, whereas only a few ribotypes (mostly ribotype A) were found in diseased fry. The same ribotype A was found in broodstock, in water samples from hatchery trays and in fry, which suggests the possibility of transmission of F. psychrophilum between broodstock and offspring.     

Salmon lice infection of wild sea trout and Arctic char in marine and freshwaters: the effects of salmon farms

The abundance of salmon lice and the physiological effects of infection were examined in two stocks of sympatric sea trout and anadromous Arctic char in northern Norway. One stock feed in a coastal area with extensive salmon farming (exposed locality), while the other feed in a region with little farming activity (unexposed locality). The results showed that the lice infection was significantly higher at the exposed locality, at which the mean intensity of infection peaked in June and July at over 100 and 200 lice larvae per fish respectively. At the exposed locality we also observed a premature return to freshwater of the most heavily infected fish. Such behaviour has previously been interpreted as a response by the fish to reduce the stress caused by the infection and/or to enhance survival. Blood samples taken from sea trout at sea at the exposed locality showed a positive correlation between intensity of parasite infection and an increase in the plasma cortisol, chloride and blood glucose concentrations, while the correlations from sea trout in freshwater were more casual. Several indices pointed towards an excessive mortality of the heaviest infected fish, and 47% of the fish caught in freshwater and 32% of those captured at sea carried lice at intensities above the level that has been shown to induce mortality in laboratory experiments. Furthermore, almost half of all fish from the exposed locality had lice intensities that would probably cause osmoregulatory imbalance. High salmon lice infections may therefore have profound negative effects upon wild populations of sea trout. At the unexposed location, the infection intensities were low, and few fish carried more than 10 lice. These are probably within the normal range of natural infection and such intensities are not expected to affect the stock negatively.     

海洋渔业捕捞优化模型及其可持续发展策略研究

基于经典的Logistic鱼群生长模型,解析海洋渔业渔场等捕捞强度优化问题,建立了最佳捕捞开始时间、最佳鱼群保有量、最佳捕捞强度和最佳捕捞投入的数学模型。在此基础上,研究了海洋渔业可持续发展策略。研究结果表明,捕捞船队的最佳投入与鱼群内在增长速率成正比,与捕捞系数成反比;渔场最佳的渔业资源量为渔场最大养殖能力的二分之一;渔场的最佳捕捞强度与渔场最大养殖能力和鱼群内在增长速率的乘积成正比。     

Rebuilding Mediterranean fisheries: a new paradigm for ecological sustainability

In Mediterranean European countries, 85% of the assessed stocks are currently overfished compared to a maximum sustainable yield reference value (MSY) while populations of many commercial species are characterized by truncated size‐ and age‐structures. Rebuilding the size‐ and age‐structure of exploited populations is a management objective that combines single species targets such as MSY with specific goals of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAF), preserving community size‐structure and the ecological role of different species. Here, we show that under the current fishing regime, stock productivity and fleet profitability are generally impaired by a combination of high fishing mortality and inadequate selectivity patterns. For most of the stocks analysed, a simple reduction in the current fishing mortality (F_cur) towards an MSY reference value (F_MSY), without any change in the fishing selectivity, will allow neither stock biomass nor fisheries yield and revenue to be maximized. On the contrary, management targets can be achieved only through a radical change in fisheries selectivity. Shifting the size of first capture towards the size at which fish cohorts achieve their maximum biomass, the so‐called optimal length, would produce on average between two and three times higher economic yields and much higher biomass at sea for the exploited stocks. Moreover, it would contribute to restore marine ecosystem structure and resilience to enhance ecosystem services such as reservoirs of biodiversity and functioning food webs.     

Effects of dietary keto-carotenoids (canthaxanthin and astaxanthin) on the reproductive performance of female rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

The aim of this study was to clarify further the relationship between dietary keto-carotenoids (canthaxanthin and astaxanthin) and reproductive performance in female rainbow trout. Three experiments were undertaken in three successive breeding seasons. In addition to a control diet, fish were fed a canthaxanthin-supplemented diet (200 mg canthaxanthin kg⁻¹ feed, designated as 6mC200) for 6 months prior to spawning (experiment A); the same diet as in A but for either 3 months (3mC200) or 6 months (6mC200) before spawning (experiment B); diets with one of two levels of astaxanthin supplementation, 50 mg (6mA50) or 100 mg (6mA100) kg⁻¹ feed, or a diet with 100 mg canthaxanthin kg⁻¹ feed (6mC100) fed for 6 months (experiment C).
There was no significant influence of carotenoid supplementation on either the frequency of maturing females or the date of maturation. The number of ova per kg of female body weight averaged 2700 and did not vary significantly among fish fed the different diets. Across experiments A, B and C there was no significant difference in egg and larval survival among fish fed carotenoid-supplemented and control diets. In experiment A, 6mC200 females produced smaller eggs than controls but this result was not confirmed in experiments B and C. In general, eyed egg yield appeared partly dependent upon egg size. Alevin weight was also correlated with egg weight. The growth test conducted on fingerlings from experiment B failed to provide any evidence of an effect of feeding carotenoid supplemented diets to the female parent. Pigment analyses conducted on alevins revealed that canthaxanthin fed to the female parent was transferred into the eggs and therefore to the larvae, although canthaxanthin was metabolized within a few weeks after hatching.     

Time trends in angler compliance with harvest regulations in stream fisheries

Abstract  Harvest regulations in stream fisheries are used to improve fisheries and protect vulnerable fish stocks, but objectives are often not fulfilled. Roving interviews of grayling, Thymallus thymallus L., and brown trout, Salmo trutta L., anglers in north Swedish streams were performed during a 15-year-period to reveal the effects of regulation changes and levels of compliance. Harvest of fish below minimum size limits declined with time in river sections with 25- and 30-cm minimum size limits. No clear time trend was found for the 35-cm size limit. In addition, the proportion of voluntary released legal-sized fish increased over time, indicating a change in angler attitudes. The overall effect of increasing the minimum size limit was lowering of angler-induced fishing mortality. Interview data revealed perception, shared by many anglers, of an acceptable fish size to take home for food. From a management perspective, the realised effect of angler behaviour on the fish populations needs to be considered.     

The Migrations of North Esk Sea Trout

The migrations of North Esk sea trout were studied by tagging all stages of sea trout taken in a stationary trap situated on Kinnaber Mill Lade which drains its water from the main river. The majority of recaptures were reported from the Montrose area, and evidence of a great deal of intermixing between the sea trout of the North Esk and neighbouring rivers was found. After their initial migration as smolts a proportion of the tagged sea trout returned to fresh water within the same year. Some tagged fish undertook several journeys back and forth between sea water and fresh water during (his period. Numerous examples of tagged sea trout travelling appreciable distances (>100 km) along the coast were obtained. In addition four tagged fish were recaptured in excess of 500 km from the North Esk, three off the Scandinavian coast and one in the River Barvas, North West Lewis.     

Disentangling individual movement between populations from effective dispersal in the facultative anadromous Salmo trutta L.

Gathering information on both individual movement and gene flow is rarely possible when studying dispersal among populations in fish species. It is, however, possible to assess both at a reasonable cost in Salmo trutta L. on the Atlantic coast of Europe where the facultative anadromous species is composed of discrete populations of brown trout residents occupying distinct river systems, but exchanging phenotypically distinguishable sea trout migrants. We performed two kinds of genetic analyses using individual microsatellite genotypes: the stock identification of sea trout entering each corridor and the estimates of effective dispersal through each corridor. We observed that individual movement (nonlocal individuals of each source population ranging from 4% to 35% of the sea trout run) never translates into effective dispersal except in one of four migratory corridors examined. The likely origin of this uniquely detected gene flow event is discussed in the light of well‐documented migratory fish management actions undertaken in the past in the studied area.