scholarly journals Domesticated escapees on the run: the second-generation monitoring programme reports the numbers and proportions of farmed Atlantic salmon in >200 Norwegian rivers annually

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 1151-1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
K A Glover ◽  
K Urdal ◽  
T Næsje ◽  
H Skoglund ◽  
B Florø-Larsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Genetic Introgression ◽  
Marine Aquaculture ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Farmed Salmon ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories ◽  
Farmed Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Annual Risk

Abstract Norway is the world’s largest producer of farmed Atlantic salmon and is home to ∼400 rivers containing wild salmon populations. Farmed escapees, a reoccurring challenge of all cage-based marine aquaculture, pose a threat to the genetic integrity, productivity, and evolutionary trajectories of wild populations. Escapees have been monitored in Norwegian rivers since 1989, and, a second-generation programme was established in 2014. The new programme includes data from summer angling, autumn angling, broodstock sampling, and snorkelling surveys in >200 rivers, and >25 000 scale samples are analysed annually. In 2014–2017, escapees were observed in two-thirds of rivers surveyed each year, and between 15 and 30 of the rivers had >10% recorded escapees annually. In the period 1989–2017, a reduction in the proportion of escapees in rivers was observed, despite a >6-fold increase in aquaculture production. This reflected improved escape prevention, and possibly changes in production methods that influence post-escape behaviour. On average, populations estimated to experience the greatest genetic introgression from farmed salmon up to 2014 also had the largest proportions of escapees in 2014–2017. Thus, populations already most affected are those at greatest risk of further impacts. These data feed into the annual risk-assessment of Norwegian aquaculture and form the basis for directing mitigation efforts.

scholarly journals Widespread genetic introgression of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon in wild salmon populations

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 2488-2498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sten Karlsson ◽  
Ola H. Diserud ◽  
Peder Fiske ◽  
Kjetil Hindar ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Introgression ◽  
Wild Salmon ◽  
Farmed Salmon ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Average Proportion ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Farmed Atlantic Salmon ◽  
High Level

Abstract Farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) escape from net pens and enter rivers to spawn, potentially resulting in genetic introgression and reduced fitness of wild salmon. Here, we quantify genetic introgression of farmed to wild salmon, using molecular genetic markers, in populations from 147 salmon rivers, representing three-quarters of the total wild salmon spawning population in Norway. For 109 rivers with adult modern samples and sample sizes of 20 or more, the average level of farmed genetic introgression was 6.4% (median = 2.3%), with a range between 0.0% and 42.2%. Fifty-one of these rivers showed significant farmed genetic introgression when compared with historical reference samples. We observed a highly significant correlation between estimated farmed introgression and average proportion of escaped farmed salmon. We quantify levels of introgression as unweighted averages or weighted by population sizes, to compare geographical regions and to compare levels of introgression in rivers and fjords designated as locations deserving a high level of protection. We found a generally lower level of introgression in National Salmon Rivers and National Salmon Fjords subjected to formal protection by parliament. We conclude that farmed to wild genetic introgression is high in a large proportion of Norwegian salmon rivers, with the highest levels found in the most intensive areas of salmon farming. The extensive genetic introgression documented here poses a serious challenge to the management of farmed and wild Atlantic salmon in Norway and, in all likelihood, in other regions where farmed-salmon escape events occur with regularity

Large-Scale Escapes of Farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) into Norwegian Rivers Threaten Natural Populations

1991 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Gausen ◽  
V. Moen
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Salmo Salar ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Genetic Introgression ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Farmed Salmon ◽  
Atlantic Salmon Salmo Salar ◽  
Farmed Atlantic Salmon ◽  
And Behavior

We present data on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) which show that escaped farmed salmon enter Norwegian rivers in great numbers. Escaped farmed salmon comprised a substantial proportion of the mature salmon present on the spawning grounds in autumn. A potential for large-scale genetic introgression thus exists. The sex ratios, length distributions, and times of ascent of wild and farmed salmon differed significantly, reflecting major variations in biology and behavior. High proportions of farmed salmon (> 20%) were found only in rivers having fish farms situated closer than 20 km from the outlet.

scholarly journals Predicting the impacts of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon on wild salmon populations

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 506-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freya Keyser ◽  
Brendan F. Wringe ◽  
Nicholas W. Jeffery ◽  
J. Brian Dempson ◽  
Steven Duffy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Genetic Introgression ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Northwest Atlantic ◽  
Wild Salmon ◽  
Facility Locations ◽  
Farmed Salmon ◽  
Farmed Atlantic Salmon ◽  
The Impact

The escape of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from aquaculture facilities can result in both negative genetic and ecological interactions with wild populations, yet the ability to predict the associated risk to wild populations has remained elusive. Here we assess the potential of a spatiotemporal database of aquaculture facility locations, production estimates, and escape events to predict the distribution of escaped farmed salmon and genetic impacts on wild populations in the Northwest Atlantic. Industry production data, reported escape events, and in-river detections of escaped farmed salmon were collected from across the Northwest Atlantic. Genetic estimates of impact were obtained using single nucleotide polymorphisms (95 loci) representing aquaculture and wild salmon throughout the region (30 populations, 3048 individuals). Both the number of escaped farmed salmon detected at counting facilities and the magnitude of genetic impacts were positively correlated with a cumulative spatial measure of aquaculture production. Our results suggest that the risk of escapees and genetic introgression from wild–farmed salmon interactions can be assessed using information on farm production characteristics. This represents a first step in predicting the impact of existing cage-based farms on wild Atlantic salmon.

scholarly journals Monitoring the incidence of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in rivers and fisheries of the United Kingdom and Ireland: current progress and recommendations for future programmes

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 1201-1210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan M. Walker ◽  
Malcolm C.M. Beveridge ◽  
Walter Crozier ◽  
Niall Ó Maoiléidigh ◽  
Nigel Milner
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Salmo Salar ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
British Isles ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Farmed Salmon ◽  
Atlantic Salmon Salmo Salar ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Farmed Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Farming Industry

Abstract An inevitable consequence of the development of the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., farming industry in coastal waters of the British Isles has been the loss of farmed salmon to the wild, their occurrence in inshore waters and rivers, and their appearance in coastal and freshwater fisheries. Monitoring programmes have been developed throughout the British Isles, variously using scientific sampling, catch records from coastal or freshwater fisheries or both, and scientific sampling of catches from in-river traps. We compare the results of these monitoring programmes with regional production and the numbers of escapees reported from marine fish farms. We also consider the effectiveness of the programmes for assessing the prevalence of farmed salmon that escape from marine cages. Finally, we make recommendations for improvements to these programmes and for the development of best practice, including the scientific sampling of in-river spawning stocks through fishery-independent sources, identification of fish origin based on at least two methods, assessment of the degree of incorrect classification, and the timely and accurate reporting of all escapes.

scholarly journals Relationships between the frequency of farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in wild salmon populations and fish farming activity in Norway, 1989–2004

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 1182-1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peder Fiske ◽  
Roar A. Lund ◽  
Lars P. Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Salmo Salar ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
County Level ◽  
Salmon Farming ◽  
Farmed Salmon ◽  
Catch Statistics ◽  
Farmed Atlantic Salmon ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In Norway, there have been restrictions on salmon farming in several fjords to reduce the potential negative impact on important stocks of wild Atlantic salmon. Little is known about the incidence of escaped farmed salmon in fisheries and broodstocks relative to the extent of fish farming in nearby areas. In this study, we analysed data on the incidence of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon in angling catches and broodstock fisheries in rivers for a 16-year period (1989–2004). These data were weighted using official catch statistics and combined at the county level, and the incidence of escapees was correlated with both the stock of farmed salmon in net pens and the reported number of escapees in different Norwegian counties. Our results indicate a significant positive correlation between the incidence of escaped farmed salmon in the rivers at the county level and the intensity of salmon farming, measured as the number of farmed salmon in net pens, suggesting that protection areas may reduce the impact of escapees in salmon populations nearby.

scholarly journals Evidence of temporal genetic change in wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., populations affected by farm escapees

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 1224-1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øystein Skaala ◽  
Vidar Wennevik ◽  
Kevin A. Glover
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Genetic Composition ◽  
Wild Salmon ◽  
Farmed Salmon ◽  
Farmed Atlantic Salmon ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Genetic Profiles ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Historical Samples

Abstract A large number of farmed Atlantic salmon escape from sea cages and hatcheries annually. Selection programmes and domestication have changed the genetic composition of farmed salmon to improve their performance in the culture environment, which apparently occurs at the cost of their fitness in the natural environment. Therefore, gene flow from farmed salmon to wild salmon populations may have altered the genetic composition of wild salmon populations. To investigate the temporal genetic stability in seven wild Norwegian salmon populations, genetic profiles were produced from historical and contemporary scale samples. Historical and contemporary samples of salmon from the Namsen, Etne, Opo, Vosso, Granvin, Eio, and Hå Rivers were genotyped at the following eight microsatellite loci: Ssa13.37, Ssa28, SsOSL85, Ssa197, Ssa20.19, SsaF43, Ssa202, and Ssa85. A significant change in genetic profiles was observed over time in the Opo, Vosso, and Eio Rivers, but no changes in genetic profiles were observed in the Namsen, Etne, Granvin, and Hå Rivers. A small reduction in FST values and genetic distances among populations was observed in the contemporary samples compared with the historical samples, indicating a eduction in population differentiation over time.

scholarly journals Stable Core Gut Microbiota across the Freshwater-to-Saltwater Transition for Farmed Atlantic Salmon

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Rudi ◽  
Inga Leena Angell ◽  
Phillip B. Pope ◽  
Jon Olav Vik ◽  
Simen Rød Sandve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Host Bacterium ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Farmed Atlantic Salmon

ABSTRACT Gut microbiota associations through habitat transitions are fundamentally important yet poorly understood. One such habitat transition is the migration from freshwater to saltwater for anadromous fish, such as salmon. The aim of the current work was therefore to determine the freshwater-to-saltwater transition impact on the gut microbiota in farmed Atlantic salmon, with dietary interventions resembling freshwater and saltwater diets with respect to fatty acid composition. Using deep 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantitative PCR, we found that the freshwater-to-saltwater transition had a major association with the microbiota composition and quantity, while diet did not show significant associations with the microbiota. In saltwater there was a 100-fold increase in bacterial quantity, with a relative increase of Firmicutes and a relative decrease of both Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Irrespective of an overall shift in microbiota composition from freshwater to saltwater, we identified three core clostridia and one Lactobacillus-affiliated phylotype with wide geographic distribution that were highly prevalent and co-occurring. Taken together, our results support the importance of the dominating bacteria in the salmon gut, with the freshwater microbiota being immature. Due to the low number of potentially host-associated bacterial species in the salmon gut, we believe that farmed salmon can represent an important model for future understanding of host-bacterium interactions in aquatic environments. IMPORTANCE Little is known about factors affecting the interindividual distribution of gut bacteria in aquatic environments. We have shown that there is a core of four highly prevalent and co-occurring bacteria irrespective of feed and freshwater-to-saltwater transition. The potential host interactions of the core bacteria, however, need to be elucidated further.

scholarly journals Selection against individuals from genetic introgression of escaped farmed salmon in a natural population of Atlantic salmon

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Wacker ◽  
Tonje Aronsen ◽  
Sten Karlsson ◽  
Ola Ugedal ◽  
Ola H. Diserud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Natural Population ◽  
Genetic Introgression ◽  
Farmed Salmon

Prevalence and recurrence of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in eastern North American rivers

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
pp. 2807-2826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R.J. Morris ◽  
Dylan J. Fraser ◽  
Anthony J. Heggelin ◽  
Frederick G. Whoriskey ◽  
Jonathan W. Carr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Salmo Salar ◽  
North American ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Wild Salmon ◽  
Farmed Salmon ◽  
Atlantic Salmon Salmo Salar ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Farmed Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Comprehensive Compilation

Knowledge of the prevalence of escaped farmed fishes in the wild is an essential first step to assessing the risk resulting from interactions between farmed and wild fishes. This is especially important in eastern North America, where Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) aquaculture occurs near wild Atlantic salmon rivers and where many wild salmon populations are severely depressed. Here, we review the literature on the incidence of escaped farmed salmon in eastern North American rivers, for which there has been no comprehensive compilation to date. Escaped farmed salmon have been found in 54 of 62 (87%) rivers investigated within a 300 km radius of the aquaculture industry since 1984, including 11 rivers that contain endangered salmon populations. Averaged among all investigations, the proportional representation of farmed salmon among adults entering the rivers from the sea was 9.2% (range 0% to 100%). Where data were sufficient to examine temporal trends, farmed salmon proportions varied considerably over time, suggesting that escape events are episodic in nature. We conclude that escaped farmed salmon are sufficiently prevalent in eastern North American rivers to pose a potentially serious risk to the persistence of wild salmon populations, especially in those rivers that are adjacent to existing aquaculture sites.

scholarly journals Using simulated escape events to assess the annual numbers and destinies of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon of different life stages from farm sites in Norway

2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 670-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ove T. Skilbrei ◽  
Mikko Heino ◽  
Terje Svåsand
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Farmed Salmon ◽  
Open Sea ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Farmed Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Immature Fish

Abstract To improve assessments of the environmental risks of aquaculture, a series of simulated escapes of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) from seawater netpens were performed. Individually tagged post-smolts and adult Atlantic salmon were released from various locations at different times of the year. Post-smolts that escaped during their first summer were capable of rapid migration towards the open sea. A small fraction returned to spawn and were recaptured after 1–3 years at sea (0.4%, range 0.0–1.1%). A total of 13% of the post-smolts that escaped during autumn were reported in nearby fisheries during subsequent months, partly because they had grown large enough to be caught in the gillnets used, but more importantly because migratory behaviour diminished towards the end of the year. The mean recapture rate of adult salmon was high after releases in fjords (7–33%), lower after coastal releases (4–7%), and zero on the outer coast. Most of these recaptures were immature fish recaptured in sea relatively close to the release site during their first months post-release. Recaptures of adult escapees after 1–2 years in the wild were very rare (0.09%), probably because of their low survival. A Monte-Carlo method was developed to estimate the annual numbers of escapees from Norwegian fish farms based on reported catches of escaped farmed salmon in the sea and in rivers and the recapture probabilities reported here. The model provides a tool to estimate numbers of escapees independently from the reported numbers. Importantly, our analysis suggests that the total numbers of post-smolt and adult escapees have been two- to fourfold as high as the numbers reported to the authorities by fish farmers, depending on whether the incomplete sea fishery statistics are compensated for.

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