Effectiveness of stocking tagged sea trout smolts into Reda River and Puck Bay

Abstract

Studies were carried out on the distribution, growth, and efficiency stocking of tagged sea trout smolts into the Reda River and the Puck Bay. 13880 individuals of tagged, one, two and three years old sea trout smolts were released in 1964-1971. Tag returns were low, from 0.1 to 3.4. They were related to stocking site and fish age. Fish growth rate was high: average body length after the first year spent in the sea was 43.9 cm, and body weight – 1668 g, after the second year – 63.9 cm and 3279 g, and after the third year – 70.2 and 4207 g. Tagged trout were found throughout the Baltic Sea, reaching the region ICES-28. Most trout (63%), however, were harvested in the region ICES-26. Polish fishermen caught 71.1% of tagged fish. As regards foreign crews the highest share of tagged trout were harvested by Danes – 15.9%.