Research shows that the smolt-to-adult return rate of Atlantic salmon in the Rhine is currently insufficient to establish a self-sustaining population. A large part of the losses that occur, are attributed to predation during the early outward migratory phase from freshwater tributaries towards sea.
In this project we use an alternative stocking strategy to minimise the duration in which captive bred salmon smolts remain in freshwater after their release. For this we use a special feed called SuperSmolt Futter, in combination with releases occurring after sunset and during high water. The effects of this strategy on the amount of smolts reaching the North Sea are monitored using acoustic telemetry.