Abstract Recreational catch and release (C&R) is increasingly adopted as a conservation measure during the spawning migration of wild salmon, yet its impacts on their reproduction are little known. This study examines how stressors related to C&R experienced by wild Atlantic salmon shortly before spawning affected the behaviour of their offspring. Adults collected during their migration were randomly allocated to one of four simulated disturbance treatments that comprised exercise and air exposure of different durations. Treated adults were mated (using IVF) with an unstressed mate, and behavioural traits of offspring were tested when these were 3–4 months old. Results revealed that activity and exploration of a novel environment was reduced in offspring whose experimental parent (of either sex) was exercised and air exposed for an extended period. Offspring from the exercise or exercise + extended air group also displayed higher aggression levels compared to control individuals. Adult Atlantic salmon experiencing stress close to spawning can therefore potentially induce an adverse effect on their offspring's behaviour during critical early life stages, when young fish are dispersing and competing for feeding territories. Practical implications: C&R angling, of either parental sex, may result in intergenerational effects, with affected salmon producing offspring with altered behaviour. Best practice should aim to minimise fish air exposure, while C&R should be avoided close to the expected spawning time.
Papatheodoulou et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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