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Goals 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. Impact of research 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. Researcher in charge Kolari Irma, Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute
Contacts
Duration 2008 - 2012 Project phase: Completed
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