James Gilbert
Dept. of Wildlife Ecology
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
207.581.2866
gilbert@umenfa.maine.edu
Cultured salmon is the largest aquaculture industry in the northeastern U.S. Seal predation on salmon net pens, and subsequent fish escapement, is one of the major problems the industry faces. Since wild Atlantic salmon were recently listed by the federal government as an endangered species, there is increasing concern that farmed salmon are either interbreeding, or competing for spawning space, with native stocks. This project will document the frequency and patterns of seal predation at salmon aquaculture sites to determine the extent of the problem and to ascertain which aquaculture practices reduce depredations.
1-year project: $15,000
Associated Publications
Nelson, M. L., J. R. Gilbert, and K. J. Boyle, 2006, The influence of sighting and deterrence methods on seal predation at Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) farms in Maine, 2001-2003, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 63: 1710-1721.
Marcy Nelson, 2004. Interactions between seals and Atlantic salmon aquaculture in Maine, 2001-2003. Thesis, M.S. in Wildlife Ecology, U. Maine [Defending Sept. 30, 2004]
For a full list of publications associated with research projects, please visit our Journal Repints page.