Impact of salmon farming on Atlantic cod spatio-temporal reproductive dynamics

Salmon farming in marine net pens is a major activity many temperate regions. This industry may affect coastal ecosystems several ways, such as with waste pollution and parasite spillover. Less known about the extent to which salmon disrupts use of inshore spawning grounds by wild fish, Atlantic cod Gadus morhua . Acoustic telemetry was therefore used explore space during season region mid-Norway multiple farms. receivers were placed clusters at 5 6 nearby Data from 481 adult caught 2017-2019 equipped acoustic transmitters analysed. Overall, fewer fish detected farms than grounds, even when accounting for distance release point. Individual residency (days / duration period) generally higher close but low themselves, little apparent farm localities. In contrast, clearly occurring spending weeks (n = 316) or months 158) there period. Males had longer residence times females, likely linked mating system. we found support assertion that disrupt dynamics using presently, either attracting spawners causing leave these grounds.