Strengthening the Danish populations of Atlantic salmon—Increasing populations, genetic resources and recreational fishing (39340)

In the beginning of the 1980’ies indigenous Danish salmon populations were close to extinction due to habitat degradation and stocking with non-native strains. Conservation efforts, led to a resurge of the populations in western Jutland. However, following the initial increases, Danish salmon populations have stagnated in recent years. Whether this is a response to limiting local factors or a correlated response across population (e.g. to climate change), is unknown.

A profitable recreational fishery has developed on the Danish salmon. If the productivity of Danish salmon populations can be improved, this fishery and the related economical gain have the potential to increase correspondingly.

Atlantic salmon has a highly complex and specialized life cycle where the weakest link(s) determines the productivity of the salmon population. Accordingly, there is a need for a multifaceted research project.

The main objectives of this project will be reached through six work packages aiming to:
1. Identify key local and global bottlenecks production of salmon across four life-stages.
2. Determine genetic characteristics (‘quality’) of local populations and identify how measures of ‘quality’ should be implemented into stocking programmes.
3. Communicate and implement insights on optimal management and exploitation to stakeholders.

The overarching aim of the project is to provide research based knowledge that can be directly implemented into a self-sustainable management framework that maximizes salmon population sizes, and hereby vastly increases local income from a recreational fishery with a high economic potential.

Partners
DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources
Danish Center for Wild Salmon, Denmark (coordinator)

Funding
The project is funded by Innovation Fund Denmark.

Research area: Freshwater Fisheries and Ecology
Research area: Population Genetics