Growth and sexual maturation in Atlantic salmon, Salmon, salar L., reared in sea cages at two different light regimes

Immature 1-sea-winter (ISW) Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. were reared in sea cages under natural light or constant additional light from 15 October 1987 to 24 June 1988 when the fish were fin clipped according to photoperiod and reared in a common cage under natural photoperiod until maturation. The group subjected to constant additional light (LL) had an overall increase in growth rate, which indicates a seasonal growth pattern influenced by photoperiod. An advanced ovulation time in the LL group gives further support to the hypothesis that endogenous rhythms controlling growth rate have been influenced. Incidence of maturation was lowest in the LL group.