Precision and accuracy of Dahl-Lea back-calculated smolt lengths from adult scales of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar |
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| Authors: | Nora N. Hanson Gordon W. Smith Stuart J. Middlemas Christopher D. Todd |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Marine Scotland Science, Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory, Pitlochry, UK;2. Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK |
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| Abstract: | Using tagged and recaptured Atlantic salmon Salmo salar (n = 106) the present analysis shows that the most commonly applied linear back-calculation method for estimating past length, the Dahl-Lea method, resulted in overestimation of the length of large smolts and underestimation of small smolts. A correction equation (y = 0.53x + 6.23) for estimating true smolt length (y) from lengths back-calculated from adult scale measures (x) to account for these systematic discrepancies is proposed. |
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| Keywords: | allometry back-calculation circuli growth increment analysis Salmo salar |
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