Contents of the research programme The economic profitability of fish stocking and the influence of various factors on it are examined in the socioeconomic part of the research programme. The profitability of salmon smolt releases in the Gulf of Finland have been examined as a case study. An Excel-based model enabling calculation of the economic profitability of salmonid releases was also created in the case study.
In the biological part of the programme, the key methods are physiological analyses, experimental research and time-series analysis of existing data. All these research approaches are needed to better understand the mechanisms affecting the quality and survival of released fish.
The physiological analyses involve assessment of the external and internal condition and quality of the stocked smolts and the development of methods and criteria for routine smolt quality assessment (Physiological analyses).
The time-series analyses are used to study the long-term survival rates of stocked fish and their relationship with the indices of smolt quality, structure and amount of fishing, and environmental conditions in the Baltic Sea .
The experimental research includes :
- A study on the influence of diet on the quality of released smolt and on the results of salmon releases;
- Comparison of the fitness and behaviour of wild and reared salmon and trout;
- A telemetry study on the factors affecting the migratory behaviour and mortality of migrating smolts of two different salmon stocks in the Kymijoki river;
- Mapping of the occurrence of cataract in the reared fish stocks, and experimental studies on the factors affecting the outbreak and fitness effects of cataract;
- Research on the possibilities of enhancing the quality of reared smolts with physical exercise and training to avoid predators;
- A tagging (fluorescent pigment) study on the profitability of whitefish releases in three different sea areas.
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