Analysis of Growth of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in a Small Newfoundland River

Abstract

Growth and sea survival rates decreased with increasing smolt age, with survival being 12, 6, and 3% for 3+, 4+, and 5+ smolt, respectively. All spawning fish were grilse, which suggests that older smolt became large salmon and were thus more vulnerable to the commercial fishery. A density-dependent relationship was observed for 3+ smolt in their 1st yr of growth, but not for older smolt; younger smolt probably spend their juvenile life in a more productive but space-limiting part of the river. Variation between river-system environments may be responsible for the opposing results of studies on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) life history. Key words: Salmo salar, growth, sea survival, density dependence, first-year growth, age at smoltification