Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in winter: "the season of parr discontent"?

1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (S1) ◽  
pp. 161-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
R A Cunjak ◽  
T D Prowse ◽  
D L Parrish

Winter is a dynamic period. Effects of the winter regime on northern streams and rivers is extremely variable and characterized by dramatic alterations in physical habitat to which Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) must acclimate and adapt to survive. In this paper, we synthesize recent advances in the biological and hydrologic/ geomorphic disciplines, with specific reference to Atlantic salmon overwintering in the freshwater portions of those running waters subject to freezing water temperatures. The specific requirements and adaptations for surviving winter at the three distinct life-stages in freshwater (egg, parr, kelt) are identified in relation to the characteristics of three biophysical phases: early winter (temperature decline and freeze-up), midwinter (ice growth and habitat reduction), and the break-up/warming phase. In a case study of Catamaran Brook (New Brunswick), a hydro-ecological analysis was used to explain interannual variability in juvenile abundance, especially for young-of-the-year salmon. A strong relation was found between winter discharge and interstage survival (egg to 0+, 0+ to 1+, 1+ to 2+) in 5 of 6<~>years. That is, juvenile salmon abundance in summer was highest following winters with high streamflow, presumably a function of habitat availability, especially beneath ice cover. However, the lowest measured egg-0+ survival (9.2%) was related to an atypical midwinter, dynamic ice break-up triggered by a rain-on-snow event that resulted in severe scouring of the stream-bed and redds. Thus, interannual variability in Atlantic salmon parr abundance from 1990 to 1996 was largely explained by density-independent (environmental) constraints to winter survival. The complexity of stream processes during winter underscores the need for interdisciplinary research to quantify biological change.

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 1888-1893 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. O. Rosseland ◽  
O. K. Skogheim ◽  
H. Abrahamsen ◽  
D. Matzow

Smolts of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were exposed for 70 h in the acidic River Vaaraana, southern Norway (Q = 1.3 m3/s, pH = 4.4–5.6, Ca = 0.6–1.5 mg/L, labile Al = 50–100 μg/L), to waters neutralized by addition of limestone slurry. Chemical and biological parameters were measured upstream of the liming site and 20, 100, 1000, 2000, and 3500 m downstream. Addition of limestone slurry effectively increased pH from 4.6 to 6.9, Ca from 0.6 to 2.6 mg/L, and reduced the labile Al concentration from 59 to 35 μg/L immediately downstream of the liming site (20 m, after 30 s). In the untreated upstream waters, salmon smolts lost plasma Cl rapidly, and all fish died within 36 h. In spite of the slight oversaturation of labile Al immediately downstream of the base addition, no mortality occurred in neutralized waters. Relatively high Ca concentrations may have mitigated potential toxic effects from Al oversaturation. Plasma Cl levels did not vary with distance downstream. Detoxification of running waters with highly toxic levels of pH and Al can successfully be performed by addition of limestone slurry.


1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (S1) ◽  
pp. 267-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott R Elliott ◽  
Treva A Coe ◽  
James M Helfield ◽  
Robert J Naiman

Rivers and streams occupied by anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) occur across a diverse array of landscapes. This article describes the general ecology of these rivers and streams, including many of the physical and biological variables that are important characteristics of all lotic systems. For analytical purposes, the geographic range of Atlantic salmon rivers is divided into five regions, based on geomorphology and climate. The physical habitat available to anadromous Atlantic salmon is diverse. The geology varies from granitic bedrock to volcanic and glacial substrates, which influence a broad array of other ecological variables, ranging from water chemistry to catchment morphology (e.g., river length). Flood regimes and system hydrology are dependent, as expected, on climate. Many of the catchments receive substantial precipitation in the form of snow; rivers in four of the five regions experience primarily spring freshets. Aquatic temperatures are also variable, representing close to the full range of thermal tolerance of S. salar, with lows just above 0°C in the northernmost latitudes to summer highs in western Europe approaching 25°C. Most rivers are best characterized as oligotrophic with relatively low annual primary productivity. However, physical factors such as availability of suitable spawning and rearing habitat, as well as aquatic temperature and flow regimes, may drive anadromous productivity. In general, most of the rivers have been modified by flow regulation and many suffer from impacts related to other anthropogenic disturbances, principally riparian forest clearing for agriculture, forestry, and urban development. We conclude that the rivers and streams occupied by anadromous Atlantic salmon are diverse across the species' range and have been heavily impacted by anthropogenic disturbances.


2001 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sjofn Sigurgisladottir ◽  
Margret S. Sigurdardottir ◽  
Helga Ingvarsdottir ◽  
Ole J. Torrissen ◽  
Hannes Hafsteinsson

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1336-1339 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. NESSE ◽  
T. LØVOLD ◽  
B. BERGSJØ ◽  
K. NORDBY ◽  
C. WALLACE ◽  
...  

The objective of our experiments was to study the persistence and dissemination of orally administered Salmonella in smoltified Atlantic salmon. In experiment 1, salmon kept at 15°C were fed for 1 week with feed contaminated with 96 most-probable-number units of Salmonella Agona per 100 g of feed and then starved for 2 weeks. Samples were taken from the gastrointestinal tract and examined for Salmonella 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 days after the feeding ended. In experiment 2, Salmonella Agona and Montevideo were separately mixed with feed and administered by gastric intubation. Each fish received 1.0 × 108, 1.0 × 106, or 1.0 × 104 CFU. The different groups were kept in parallel at 5 and 15°C and observed for 4 weeks. Every week, three fish in each group were sacrificed, and samples were taken from the skin, the pooled internal organs, the muscle, and the gastrointestinal tract and examined for the presence of Salmonella. The results from the two experiments showed that the persistence of Salmonella in the fish was highly dependent on the dose administered. Salmonella was not recovered from any of the fish that were fed for 1 week with the lowest concentration of Salmonella. In the fish given the highest dose of Salmonella, bacteria persisted for at least 4 weeks in the gastrointestinal tract as well as, to some extent, the internal organs. The present study shows that under practical conditions in Norway, the risk of Salmonella in fish feed being passed on to the consumer of the fish is negligible.


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