The study examines the long-term impact of different smolt production strategies on Atlantic salmon. Researchers investigated how varying freshwater photoperiods and diets, combined with different post-smolt rearing environments, affected mortality, growth, maturation, and the occurrence of melanized focal changes (MFC). The findings suggest that rearing post-smolts on land might compromise fish welfare and reduce harvest yield compared to direct transfer to sea cages. Land-based rearing at higher salinity increased MFC, while specific freshwater photoperiods influenced male maturation. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the complex interplay between freshwater and seawater rearing conditions in salmon aquaculture and calls for further research.

Ref:

Myklatun, L.E., Madaro, A., Philip, A.J.P., Pedersen, A.Ø., Remø, S., Hansen, T.J., Fraser, T.W.K., Sigholt, T., Stefansson, S., Fjelldal, P.G., 2025. Long term effects of smolt and post-smolt production strategy on mortality, growth, sexual maturation and melanized focal changes in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Aquaculture 602, 742371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742371