Origin and life history 186 Atlantic salmon caught within the Icelandic fisheries jurisdiction were investigated using DNA mapping to assess the origin and scales and mills to find out how long the salmon have stayed in freshwater and sea. This study was conducted at Matís in collaboration with Veiðimálastofnun, Marine Research Institute and Directorate of Fisheries.
Most of the samples were from salmon that was in its first year at sea or 72.8%. The lifespan of freshwater varied from one year to five and the average freshwater age of salmon was 2.6 years. Most salmon had been in freshwater for two years or 42% and 28% had been in freshwater for three years.
A database on the origin of salmon stocks in 284 European rivers was used to study the origin. It turned out that the 68% samples were traced to mainland Europe and the British Isles, 30% were traced to Scandinavia and northern Russia, but only 2% salmon were from Iceland.
This study shows that the sea area south and east of Iceland is an important feeding ground for Atlantic salmon, and especially for salmon from the British Isles and southern Europe. The low proportion of salmon of Icelandic origin came as a surprise and indicates that Icelandic salmon use another grazing area.
The study is described in more detail ICES Web site.
Detailed information is provided by the first author of the article, Kristinn Ólafsson at Matís.