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The effects of siltation on Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., embryos in the River Bush
Author(s) -
O'CONNOR W. C. K.,
ANDREW T. E.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
fisheries management and ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1365-2400
pISSN - 0969-997X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2400.1998.550393.x
Subject(s) - salmo , hatchery , siltation , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , sedimentation , biology , environmental science , sediment , paleontology
The tolerance of incubating salmon embryos to spawning gravel sedimentation was examined under hatchery conditions and also in the natural state on the River Bush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. In a laboratory assessment alevin survival was closely related to the level of fine material. The number of individuals was reduced at the 10% fines level while >15% fine material was found to be deleterious to survival. Mean survival on the river (19.26%) was found to be better than that recorded in the hatchery, although no clear relationship was established between the level of fines and percentage survival in the wild. The mean fines accumulation (13.59%) in the river incubators at the end of the experiment was shown to be statistically similar to the background substrate. The role of high flow events in the contamination of gravels scoured by spawning fish is discussed.