The Effects of Stocking Technique on Density, Dispersal, Growth and Survival of Age (0+) Atlantic Salmon

Human activities, habitat loss and invasive species have resulted in the extirpation of many wild populations of Atlantic salmon. This loss of biodiversity has generated great concern, which has lead to the implementation of restoration projects. Restoration by stocking hatchery raised juvenile Atlantic salmon into former habitats is an expensive undertaking and maximizing juvenile survival is essential in rehabilitation. In this study 174,000 Atlantic salmon (age:0+) were stocked into fourteen separate stocking sites in the Boquet River, New York, USA, using two different stocking techniques; spread and point. Each stocking site was electro-fished at ten different locations, up to 1600 meters downstream, to determine densities, dispersal and overall growth of stocked fish. In this study we examine how stocking technique affects the density, dispersal, growth and survival of juvenile Atlantic salmon in an effort to provide information that can be used by fishery managers to improve stocking and restoration efforts.