76 



KENDALL: NEW ENGLAND SALMONS. 



third spawning journey. These sahnon were recaptured, one in 32 months and three 

 in 43^4 months. The approximate percentage of sahnon comprising these groups was 

 (1) short period 23 per cent, (2) long period 72 per cent, and (3) very long period 5 per 

 cent. No special difference was observed between the male and female salmon or whether 

 the first spawning took place after two-winter or three-winter sea life. 



Month of recapture. The time of return of the second spawning salmon is of interest. 

 The monthly distribution of the 63 long-absence salmon which were recaptured on their 

 spawning journey indicates that the early run in June and July accounts for most of the 

 salmon. The 20 short-absence sahnon were captured even earlier, but whether they 

 were on their way to spawn is unknown. 



Locality of recapture. The 63 long-period salmon may be grouped according to the 

 locahty of recapture, (1) 28 in the river where hberated, (2) 31 in adjacent coastal waters 

 within 50 miles of these rivers, or (3) four in distant waters. It is interesting to note that 

 about 94 per cent of the salmon were recaptured in or near the river where liberated. 

 However, three salmon from the Margaree River were captured in Newfoundland, 

 and a Saguenay River salmon in the Bay of Chaleur. 



Increase in weight. From the Canadian data it has been possible to determine the 

 gross increase in weight, the average increase per month, and the per cent of total 

 increase. The results are summarized in table 10. The actual increase in weight varied 

 greatly, from to 16 pounds for the short period, from two to 27 pounds for the long 

 period, and from four to 16 pounds for the very long period, indicating marked variability 

 in the growth of the individual fish. The average monthly increase was greatest for the 

 short-period fish and least for the very long period. The long-period fish showed the 

 greatest total per cent increase. 



TABLE 10. 

 Increase in Weight During Absence in Ocean. 



