Juvenile Atlantic salmon in the Varzuga River (White Sea Basin)

In the Varzuga River (Kola Peninsula), juvenile Atlantic salmon occur at a high mean density of 1·1 individuals per m², with a relatively low growth rate, reaching c. 8 g at age 3. They migrate to sea at ages 2–4 before they are fully silvered. Mortality is not high and the fish forage in the estuary where they grow fast and acclimate to the pelagic and high salinity habitat.