Optimal smolt production and post smolt performance in the High North - Seawater intermixing, low temperatures and intensive rearing -

This project proposal intends to investigate various aspects of production strategies of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolt in Northern-Norway that can make this region self-sufficient with smolts, and contribute to improved survival, growth, health, and low risk of winter ulcer outbreaks in farmed salmon, both during hatchery and sea cage stages. The main focus will be the effect on both juvenile salmon and smolts of exposure to different salinities, temperature regimes and production intensity on pe rformance measured as growth, immune competence and disease resistance, and various aspects of physiology. Evaluation of performance will include the parr and smolt stage, as well as subsequent sea performance, thus integrating effects over relevant produ ction stages. The project will determine safe levels of the various parameters (salinity, temperature and production intensity) at the parr and smolt stage, and initiate development of a production model based on limitations and optimal combinations of pa rameters obtained from experimental studies in this and previous projects. The proposed project will benefit the industry by providing scientific based information on the effects of currently applied production strategies, as well as recommendations to op timize fish performance and welfare to obtain a self-sufficient salmon industry in the northern region.