Publication Abstract

Comparison of the distribution and homing of hatchery-reared and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) from north-east England

Comparison of the distribution andhoming of hatchery-reared and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fromnorth-east England

E.C.E. Potter and I.C. Russell

Hatchery-rearedAtlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr and wild smolts which were microtagged andreleased into rivers in North-east England were recaptured by the fisheries at WestGreenland, Faroes and on the Irish west coast, by the homewater net fisheries and by rodfisheries in rivers in North-east England. No significant differences were observed in thepatterns of exploitation of hatchery-reared and wild fish in the distant water fisheries.The distribution of tag recoveries in coastal waters was strongly influenced by thepattern of fishing effort which was concentrated in the middle of the fishery area, butrecaptures tended to be biased towards the river of release. There were significantdifferences in the distribution of recaptures of fish released in different rivers andbetween hatchery-reared and wild fish from the River Wear. There were also differences inthe timing of recaptures of hatchery and wild fish from this river in the coastal netfishery. Very few fish were recaptured in rivers other than the one in which they werereleased, and there was no significant differences between straying rates for hatchery andwild fish. The relative numbers of recaptures in the coastal fishery and in the home riverwas the same for translocated hatchery fish and wild fish, thus refuting the suggestionthat hatchery-reared fish have a reduced ability to home. The distribution of recaptureswithin fresh water provides clear evidence of tributary-specific homing of hatchery-rearedfish.

Reference:

E.C.E. Potter and I.C. Russell, 1994. Comparison of the distribution and homing ofhatchery-reared and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) from north-east England.Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, 25(Suppl. 2): 31-44.

E.C.E. Potter* and I.C. Russell*

Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, 25(Suppl. 2): 31-44