Kelt Reconditioning: A Research Project to Enhance Iteroparity in Columbia Basin Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) – 2003 Annual Report
Abstract
Repeat spawning is a life history strategy that is expressed by some species from the family Salmonidae. Rates of repeat spawning for post-development Columbia River steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss populations range from 1.6 to 17%. It is expected that currently observed iteroparity rates for wild steelhead in the Basin are severely depressed due to development and operation of the hydropower system and various additional anthropogenic factors. Increasing the natural expression of historical repeat spawning rates using fish culturing methods could be a viable technique to assist the recovery of depressed steelhead populations. Reconditioning is the process of culturing post-spawned fish (kelts) in a captive environment until they are able to reinitiate feeding, growth, and redevelop mature gonads.
Authors
Citation
Hatch D.R., R. Branstetter, J. Blodgett, B. Bosch, D. Fast, and T. Newsome. 2003. Kelt reconditioning: a research project to enhance iteroparity in Columbia Basin steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) – 2003 annual report. Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Technical Report 03-9, for Bonneville Power Administration Project 2000-017-00. Portland, OR. 59p.