Dispersal patterns and survival of atlantic salmon (Salmo salar l.) juveniles in a nursery stream

Abstract

The spatial and temporal patterns of dispersal and the survival of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fry and parr were analysed over 1 year in a small stream of the Basque Country (south-west France). Dispersal just after emergence was studied with eight drift nets placed 10 to 800 m downstream from an artificial redd stocked with 15 000 eyed eggs. Subsequent distribution of parr was determined by electrofishing in June, October, and February in representative sections of the stream including habitats 750 m upstream and 2400 m downstream from the redd. Early dispersal following emergence lasted 12 days for the majority (95%) of the fry population. Most fry (71%) settled within the first 200 m downstream from the redd, and 91% within the first 400 m. In June, parr were found 2400 m downstream and 750 m upstream, with 68% of the population established within 900 m downstream, and only 4% upstream. In October, there was a slight downstream shift of densities. In February, 56% of the parr were found within 900 m downstream and 11% upstream. Survival from egg planting to first dispersal in March was 51.9% and 11.3% over 1 year. © 1994 International council for the Exploration of the Sea.