Comparative effectiveness, growth and dispersal of stocked Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) from different origins in Lake Annecy

Abstract

The fisheries managers of the Lake Annecy stocked Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus fingerlings from different origins including progeny of wild brood fish from Lake Geneva, wild brood fish from Lake Annecy and captive brood stock from the INRA hatchery in Thonon to improve the catches. The effectiveness of stocking, growth and dispersal after release of Arctic char from these different origins were studied for the fish stocked in 1997. Another experiment was started in 2001, to confirm the previous results on effectiveness and growth. The growth of wild Arctic char was not very different from the hatchery-reared stock. The portion of natural breeding in the catches was 50%. Juveniles produced from INRA captive brood stock were found to be more effective in the catch among the stocked fish and also showed wider dispersal after stocking. Mean effectiveness of the stocking was found to be 14%.