The effect of stocking age on the survival of Saimaa Arctic charr in lakes with different fisheries

Startår

2008

Slutår

2012

Projektmål

Saimaa Arctic charr are usually stocked at the age of one or two years in Finland. We studied the possibility to stock eyed eggs or newly hatched larvae along with older juveniles. The use of early life stages would decrease the risk of deficits associated with captive rearing, like relaxed predator avoidance and decreased feeding success in wild. We also try to estimate the effect of fisheries on the stocking result of Saimaa charr. In one stocking lake fisheries are totally forbidden whereas in the other there are multispecies fisheries, typical for Finnish lakes.

Projektdeltagare

Ansvarig organisation

Ursprunglig organisation

Vilt- och fiskeriforskningsinstitutet

Personer

Kolari Irma

Relaterade organisationer

Metsähallitus
Lapin ELY-keskus / Elinkeinot

Resultat

Resultat och påverkan

The results of this study would help to develop the management practices of extremely endangered Saimaa charr. The results could benefit all the parties involved in the management of Saimaa charr, like governmental authorities, water owners and fishermen. The enhancement and restocking programs of Saimaa charr have relied on the maintenance of a hatchery brood-stock in a state-owned hatchery run by the RKTL. The present brood fish represent however already the second or third hatchery generation, which increases the risk of undesired domestication. Successful restocking of charr in new areas would help us to create a new brood stock from stocked fish that have gone through natural selection. The creation of the new brood stock has been started. Moreover, the successful creation of new charr populations in Saimaa lake area would help to maintain biodiversity. Saimaa charr are large growing fish and a highly appreciated target in fisheries. The possibility to catch such a fish would increase the attractiveness of the lake area.

Övriga uppgifter

Nyckelord

Arctic charr, Fisheries, Kalakannat, Kalalajit, Nieriä, Saimaa, Saimaa, Stocking age, Uhanalaisuus