A comparison of trends in population size and life history features of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and anadromous and non-anadromous Brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a single catchment over 116 years

We use a long time series of catch abundance from a recreational fishery over 116 years to look for population trends in Atlantic salmon, and anadromous (sea trout) and non-anadromous (brown) trout for a single catchment, Loch Lomond, west central Scotland. Year strongly predicted variation in catches but catch effort did not meaningfully increase explained variation. Salmon showed periods of increasing and decreasing trends, for sea trout and brown trout there was an overall declining trend. Since 1952, Lomond salmon population trends differed from both wider Scotland and southern Europe, indicating that the Lomond population is partially buffered from drivers of change in salmon populations more widely. In contrast Lomond sea trout showed a similar declining trend to that of populations from the wider west of Scotland over this period. The Lomond populations showed some evidence of shorter-term cycling patterns; the drivers for which are unknown. Body size in salmon and sea trout declined but increased in brown trout; salmon returned to freshwater later, and the relative proportion of all caught trout that were anadromous increased across the time series. This study shows a long and protracted period of fundamental change to populations of these two species over 116 years.

Survival of Embryos and Fry of Sea Trout (Salmo trutta m. trutta) Growing from Eggs Exposed to Different Concentrations of Selenium during Egg Swelling

Adequate selenium (Se) availability enhances the health and growth of organisms, but overdose of it can be harmful and pathogenic. The study's objective was to analyse the impact of short-term exposure of sea trout fertilised eggs to inorganic selenium (SeO2) at concentrations from 0 to 32 mg Se L-1 to find the optimal and toxic dose of Se on early fish development. Se accumulated in the body, embryos' survival rate, and growth in the first four months of life was examined. Swelling of fertilised eggs in water supplemented with Se at a concentration from 0.5 to 8 mg Se L-1 was associated with a slightly positive impact on the hatching rate. At higher Se concentration, a harmful effect on the survival of the embryo was observed. The survival of fry was similar in all groups, while the fry length and weight correlated positively with Se concentration in its body. Immersion of fertilised eggs in water enriched with Se during egg swelling can constitute a method to supplement the element to non-feeding stages of fish. In selenium-poor areas, this innovative method can be implemented in aquaculture to improve breeding outcomes. Se concentration should be adjusted to the chemical compound, fish species, and Se’s content in the yolk.

Saltwater spawning grounds of sea-run brown trout (Salmo trutta) in tidal waters of a major Norwegian river

Sea-run brown trout (Salmo trutta) have a highly phenotypically plastic life history that allows them to be effective colonizers and competitors in freshwater. This paper documents a previously unknown spawning behaviour in a brackish, tidally influenced estuary 14 km from the mouth of the Vosso River, a major Atlantic salmon- and sea-run brown trout–producing river in western Norway. Putative spawning gravel was observed, and sea-run brown trout deposited eggs that hatched in April. Survival of recruits was high (> 95%) in the tidal spawning gravel. These areas are strongly tidally influenced with a peak of 23.17 psu recorded at the lowest spawning ground. The observation of spawning so far from the river mouth may be unique in such a system with a long estuary but provides important insight into the biology of sea trout. Invasion of pink salmon, also known to spawn in estuaries, may negatively affect the competitive balance of sea trout with other salmonids in rivers where sea trout populations rely on recruitment from these relatively extreme spawning areas. Restoration of estuaries that have been modified by dredging or channelization may be important to ensure quality and heterogenous habitat for sea trout spawning given that haline spawning grounds could contribute to population resilience.

Effects of functional feeds on hematological and biochemical indicators of juvenile sea trout (Salmo trutta m. trutta L.)

The effects functional additives had on blood hematological and biochemical indicators of sea trout (body weight 74.6 g, standard length 17.2 cm) were studied. The fish were divided into four experimental groups. Two groups were fed experimental feeds (group TU basic feed; group TUB basic feed with Bioimmuno), and two groups were fed commercial feeds (group TB commercial feed; group TBF commercial feed with FOCUS Plus®). After 14 and 28 days of rearing (the end of the experiment) specimens were measured and blood was drawn from seven fish from each group for hematological and biochemical tests. No effects were confirmed on rearing parameters. After 14 days of rearing, decreased values of WBC, RBC, HGB, and HCT were noted in groups TU and TB, while after 28 days lower values of RBC and HCT persisted in these groups. Lower values of these parameters were also noted in group TUB. Increased ALP activity was noted in group TUB after 14 days, while in groups TU and TUB increased levels of TP and ALB were noted after 28 days. A significant increase in ALB was also noted in group TBF. The functional feeds positively affected the physiological state of the sea trout. The results indicated that it is necessary to conduct studies to determine the optimal dose of Bioimmuno for juvenile sea trout and the period during which functional feeds should be given.