Selection experiments with salmon: I. Differences in resistance to vibrio disease of salmon parr ( Salmo salar)

Abstract

The research facilities at the fish experimental station at Sunndalsöra are described. The design of a selection experiment with salmon and sea trout is presented. The station is also used for other purposes, such as investigations into nutrition, pathology and environmental factors. In this paper analyses of observed differences to vibrio disease ( Vibrio anguillarum) are reported. Significant differences in resistance between river strains of salmon parr were found. The difference between localities are supposed to be partly heritable. The data were also used to estimate the heritability on an intra-river basis. The estimates were 0.12 and 0.07 based on the sire and dam component, respectively. It is concluded that selection against vibrio disease will result in genetic change.