Simulated pre-spawning catch and release of wild atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) results in faster fungal spread and opposing effects on female and male proxies of fecundity

Papatheodoulou, M., Závorka, L., Koeck, B. , Metcalfe, N. B. and Killen, S. S. (2022) Simulated pre-spawning catch and release of wild atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) results in faster fungal spread and opposing effects on female and male proxies of fecundity. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 79(2), pp. 267-276. (doi: 10.1139/cjfas-2021-0089)

Abstract

Atlantic salmon are increasingly being released after capture by anglers. Yet, there are still unknown effects on the fish being subjected to the process of catch and release. Capture too close to spawning could have adverse effects on fish, and such data are important for setting appropriate closed seasons. This study examines how stressors related to catch and release experienced shortly before spawning affects adult mortality, vulnerability to Saprolegnia spp., and reproductive traits. Adult salmon were collected from the river Blackwater, Scotland, towards the end of their migration and were exposed to one of four protocols comprising exercise and air exposure of different durations. The experimental stressors increased the growth rate of the fungus Saprolegnia spp. over the body of the fish. Moreover, male salmon from the most disturbed group exhibited an increase in the maximum duration of their sperm motility. Lastly, females that experienced exercise and/or air exposure spawned at the usual time but with fewer eggs. These suggest that there may be benefits from preventing angling close to the time of spawning.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Metcalfe, Professor Neil and Zavorka, Dr Libor and Killen, Professor Shaun and Papatheodoulou, Magdalene and Koeck, Dr Barbara
• Authors: Papatheodoulou, M., Závorka, L., Koeck, B., Metcalfe, N. B., and Killen, S. S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
• ISSN: 0706-652X
• ISSN (Online): 1205-7533
• Published Online: 13 July 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 79(2): 267-276
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
167015		The Influence of Individual Physiology on Group Behaviour in Fish Schools	Shaun Killen	Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)	NE/J019100/1	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine