Chapter 5. The Significance of Marine Mammal Predation on Salmon and Sea Trout
- Derek Mills MSc, PhD, FIFM, FLS
Published Online: 20 NOV 2007
Copyright © 2003 by Blackwell Science Ltd.
Salmon at the Edge
How to Cite
Middlemas, S.J., Armstrong, J.D. and Thompson, P.M. (2003) The Significance of Marine Mammal Predation on Salmon and Sea Trout, in Salmon at the Edge (ed D. Mills), Blackwell Science Ltd., Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9780470995495.ch5
Atlantic Salmon Trust
- Published Online: 20 NOV 2007
- Published Print: 7 JUL 2003
Print ISBN: 9780632064571
Online ISBN: 9780470995495
- marine mammal;
- predator-prey interactions
This chapter contains sections titled:
There is evidence that stocks of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) are declining on both sides of the Atlantic. There is also concern over the health of sea trout (Salmo trutta) populations, particularly on the west coast of Scotland. The decline in salmon abundance appears to be related to a decrease in marine survival. This decline, together with a concurrent growth of some marine mammal populations, has led to an increased interest in the impacts of marine mammals on salmonids. We review the published information on predation by marine mammals on salmon and sea trout. There is no evidence that marine mammals are the main causal agents for the decline in salmonid abundance. However, in areas where salmonid abundance is already low, they could have substantial local effects on populations. Problems in assessing, and defining, significant predation are discussed. Although to assess the significance of marine mammal predation fully it must be put in an ecosystem context, we are some way from achieving this.