GROWTH AND PARR-SMOLT TRANSFORMATION OF ATLANTIC SALMON (SALMO-SALAR L) UNDER DIFFERENT LIGHT INTENSITIES AND SUBSEQUENT SURVIVAL AND GROWTH IN SEAWATER

Groups of potential Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolts were reare d under a simulated natural photoperiod from November 1987 to May 1988 . Three different light intensities were used: 27, 335 or 715 lux. Gro wth rate was not significantly influenced by differences in light inte nsity. All groups developed the silvery external appearance, increased hypo-osmoregulatory ability and decreased condition coefficient assoc iated with smolting. Smolts from all groups were successfully acclimat ized to seawater in early May. The subsequent seven months of rearing in seawater did not reveal any differences in post-smolt performance o f the groups. The incidence of early maturation during the first autum n was similar in all groups. We conclude that within the limits of the light sources used in the present experiment, light intensity had no significant effect on the growth and smolting in juvenile Atlantic sal mon.