Have Hatcheries a Role in Sea-Trout Management?

Abstract

The artificial propagation of sea trout in Ireland has a long history but the fish were never produced in large numbers and they were disposed of at an early stage in development. The evidence suggests that artificial propagation was undertaken as a by-product of salmon management. The circumstances in which artificial propagation of sea trout may be justified are examined and some general reservations are expressed. For the future it seems likely that sea trout will be exploited in wild rather than in put-and-take fisheries. The emphasis should remain on providing the most suitable nursery conditions for the fish to reproduce naturally. Further investigations should however be undertaken on devising suitable methods of propagating sea trout and consideration might be given to re-establishing some of the long lived strains which are now believed to be extinct.