Production energetics of a population of sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka

Abstract

The life stages and population structure of sockeye salmon from Babine Lake, British Columbia, are outlined. The total biomass produced by an average cohort of smolts is determined by tracing the monthly growth and mortality rates for each of three age-classes during ocean life, based on models responsive to life history, temperature, and body weight. From an energy budget previously deduced for an average 4-year-old sockeye salmon, the growth efficiency of the cohort is derived (22.8%). Assumptions and possible sources of error are discussed, concluding with comments on the high energy conversion efficiency of an average sockeye salmon population during marine life.