Influence of hatchery experience on growth and behavior of juvenile atlantic salmon salmo salar within allopatric and sympatric stream populations
Dickson, T.A.; Maccrimmon, H.R.
Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 39(11): 1453-1458
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0706-652X
DOI: 10.1139/f82-196
Accession: 005685613
Hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon (S. salar), wild Atlantic salmon and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) (0+ year-class fish) were observed in allopatric or paired sympatric populations using stream tanks at the Matamek Research Station, Quebec [Canada] Hatchery-reared salmon maintained a position just off the substrate, a position intermediate to that occupied by wild salmon (bottom) and trout (midwater). Growth rates of hatchery-reared and wild salmon were not statistically different. Neither type had an interactive advantage. The behavioral pattern of hatchery-reared salmon was intermediate to that of wild salmon and trout. This behavioral shift may account for poor survival of planted Atlantic salmon juveniles, a phenomenon suggesting the need for a reexamination of present live release programs using juvenile hatchery-reared salmon.