Tracking the migratory success of stocked European eels Anguilla anguilla in the Baltic Sea. Issue 2 (24th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prigge, E.; Marohn, L.; Hanel, R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of fish biology. Volume 82:Issue 2(2013)
• Page Start: 686
• Page End: 699
• Publication Date: 2013-01-24
• Subjects: Fishes -- Periodicals; Fishes -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 597
• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1112

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>To investigate the extent to which European silver eels <italic>Anguilla anguilla</italic>, originating from stocking programmes in the Baltic Sea tributaries, effectively contribute to the spawning stock, two hundred and seventy‐four formerly stocked <italic>A. anguilla.</italic> emigrating from the Schwentine River near Kiel, Germany, were tagged with T‐Bar anchor tags. A total of 29 <italic>Anguilla</italic> spp. were recaptured (<italic>c</italic>. 11%) up to 14 months after release. Stocking history of recaptured <italic>A. anguilla.</italic> was confirmed by otolith microchemistry. Recapture locations were concentrated around the outlet of the Baltic Sea (Danish Belt Sea) with 62% of all recaptures reported here or in the Kattegat. Recaptured <italic>Anguilla</italic> spp. showed a reduction in both <italic>L</italic>_T and mass (mean ± <sc>s.d</sc>. = −1·5 ± 0·9 cm and −125·3 ± 50·1 g) while average total fat content remained in the order of values previously reported as high enough to provide energy resources to allow successful completion of the spawning migration (mean ± <sc>s.d</sc>. = 28·4 ± 4·4%). The documented mean rate of travel (0·8 km day⁻¹), however, indicated a delay in the target‐oriented migration that might be interpreted as a delayed initial migration phase of orientation towards the exit of the Baltic Sea.</p> </abstract>