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Atlantic salmon

Salmo salar

Salmo salar (Atlantic salmon)
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Distribution
Distribution map: Salmo salar (Atlantic salmon)

least concern



Habitat
Temperature:
DF-0.5-26.0 °C
Salinity:
Dfresh to seawater
Photoperiod:
F0-24 h
Substrate:
DFyes
Trophic level:
D4.5
Growth
Length:
D50.0-90.0 cm
Weight:
D2,000.0-4,000.0 g
Maturity:
DF2.0-7.8 years
Malformations:
DFyes
Morphology:
not investigated by us yet
Swimming
Home range:
D0.005-8.0 km
Depth:
DF0.05-83 m
Speed:
D0.2-34.7 cm/s
Migration:
DFdepends
Type:
Dsub-carangiform
Reproduction
Nest building:
Dyes
Courtship:
Fyes
Mating type:
no data found yet
Fecundity:
D17-450+ eggs/kg
Brood care:
Dyes
Social behaviour
Aggregation:
DFflexible
Organisation:
Dlinear hierarchy
Aggression:
Fyes
Handling
Farming frequency:
2,435,948 t/year 2018
Farming stress:
DFyes
Slaughter protocol:
Fyes

Farming remarks

Salmo salar
Li0  ❘  Po1  ❘  Ce1

Salmo salar is a salmonid from both coasts of the northern Atlantic, migrating into boardering rivers to spawn. It is the most frequently farmed fish in Europe which represents 50% of the worldwide S. salar production. Upbringing in fresh water, predominantly in flow-through tanks, lasts for 1-1.5 years after which smoltification prepares the individuals for life in seawater; on-growing in sea cages covers 50-70% of the life cycle. Where the culture site does not provide suitable conditions for sea transfer, individuals are grown out in land-based freshwater RAS to harvestable size. Individuals are slaughtered before reaching maturity. Adults destined to become broodstock are transferred back to freshwater about 2 months before spawning. The underlying migration habit is one of the factors very hard to accommodate in captivity, as it is unclear whether it is sufficient to provide the species with the conditions of the respective life stages or whether it needs to experience the transition. Other factors responsible for the low FishEthoScore are substrate needs as well as high levels of aggression, stress, and deformations under farming conditions. Avoiding manipulation to induce spawning, providing substrate, and applying the high-standard slaughter methods are ways towards improving welfare for S. salar in captivity.

Note: LARVAE are called ALEVINS; JUVENILES are called PARR in fresh water and SMOLTS after bodily modification to sustain seawater; SPAWNERS are called GRILSE at first spawning and KELTS thereafter (very rare). We added “ADULTS” for the case when it is not clear whether SMOLTS or GRILSE are meant. As individuals are usually slaughtered before reaching maturity, “ADULTS” in farms refers to ADULTS to become SPAWNERS, i.e., during holding before/between the spawning event(s).

For details see: WelfareCheck | farm
For recommendations see: Advice | farm
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