Mutual impact of wild and cultured Atlantic salmon in Norway

Abstract

The development and current status of the fish farming industry, enhancernent and sea ranching of salmon in Norway are briefly described, and an account is given of the natural salmon river populations in different parts of the country. Record of cultured salmon in the open sea, coastal waters and rivers are briefly reviewed, and so are also migration studies on liberated farmed salmon. Diseases common to wild and cultured populations are described and discussed in relation to mutual impact. The current situation is discussed in relation to actual and potential effects on natural gene pools and spreading of disease agents. Initiatives to protect natural gene pools are discussed, and experirnents to gain additional knowledge of the genetic ressources are outlined.