Seawater Adaptation and Parr–Smolt Transformation of Juvenile Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar

Abstract

Seawater adaptation of 1- and 2-yr-old Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, presmolts and smolts was assessed during exposure to salinity increasing from 0.1 to 31‰ by examining changes in the osmotic concentration of their serum, urine, and intestinal fluid. Both age-classes adapted to seawater equally well; the marine osmoregulatory mechanisms apparently function before completion of parr–smolt transformation. Adaptation was possible during the parr stage for fish exceeding 12–13 cm fork length. The timing of transformation was synchronous for 1- and 2-yr-old juveniles as demonstrated by changes in their lipid and moisture content and condition factor (K). Condition factor of juveniles at the Mactaquac Hatchery, New Brunswick (45°58′N), decreased from February until the second half of May, while lipid content decreased from February until the second half of June. Migratory activity of juveniles at this location was maximal during the second half of May coincident with attainment of minimum K values and decreased during the first half of June as K values increased. While timing of changes in lipid and moisture content and K values were similar for juveniles at the Mersey Hatchery, Nova Scotia (44°10′N), lipid content of fish at the more southerly station decreased at a greater rate and migratory activity was apparent earlier. This was probably attributable to the advanced temperature cycle at that location. Smolt-release dates are discussed in terms of the development of the marine osmoregulatory mechanisms and the timing of parr–smolt transformation. Key words: Atlantic salmon, seawater adaptation, parr–smolt transformation, migration, hatchery management