Search

The effect of nocturnal and diurnal releases on survival and migration of wild and hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, L., smolts ( n = 82) was investigated by releasing acoustically tagged smolts at the lower end of the River Vosso, Norway. Hatchery smolts was registered in the estuary within hours of their release, whereas wild smolts migrated over a prolonged period. The time of estuary exit was affected by river discharge but not by time of release. Progression rates were slow through the estuary (0.25 BL/s ± 0.18 SD) and fast through the fjord (1.80 BL/s ± 0.69 SD), and they were not affected by the time of release or origin. Survival to the fjord was low (0%-15%). Survival was not affected by body length but was lower for wild smolts than for hatchery smolts, and survival of the former was lower when the fish were released in daylight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downstream migration of radio-tagged Atlantic salmon smolts, Salmo salar L., was studied in the Kinzig, Germany, to examine effects of passing a run-of-river hydropower station with a movable bulb turbine. Immediate mortality for smolts passing the power station was low (3%-6%), probably facilitated by a curved rack in front of the turbine and the possibility to pass over it. Mortality in the impounded stretch above the power station was also low (1.5% extra mortality compared to a control stretch). The combined mortality due to hydropower was 5%-8%, excluding delayed effects. Most smolts followed the main flow passing through the turbine area (94%). Only few used a fishway (4%) or a nearby millstream (2%). Migration speed was slowed down at the power station, but the passage only caused a short delay (average/median 8.6/1.3 hr). However, even low mortality and short delays at several power stations and reservoirs may have considerable cumulative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]