Compensatory growth and reduced maturation in second sea winter farmed Atlantic salmon following starvation in February and March

Starvation of second sea winter farmed Atlantic salmon through February and March reduced body weight by 0.10% day^?1 or 6.0% during the starvation period, whereas fed fish increased body weight by 0.10 day^?1 or 5.9%. When fed again during 41 days in April and May, the starved group increased weight by 22.7% (0.55% day^?1) compared with a 11.4% (0.28% day^?1) gain in the unrestricted control. Ultrasound determination of sex and maturity in late May showed that the incidence of maturation was reduced by 48% among females and 32% among males in the starved group, compared with the unrestricted group.