Influence of Salinity on the Survival Rate of Fertilized Chum Salmon (<i>Oncorhynchus keta</i>) Eggs

Abstract

Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) exhibit a remarkable ability to adapt to changes in salinity during their life cycle. However, the fertilized egg stages are sensitive to salinity, affecting ontogeny and hatching. This study investigated the effect of salinity (0, 1, 3, and 5 PSU) on the survival of two developmental stages (6.9 PSU) with the frequency of high waves. Overall, the function of the lower river in spawning and hatching is weakening. This study enhances our understanding of the effects of climate change, including increased wave activity, on salmon spawning grounds.

Keywords

• chum salmon
• fertilized eggs
• salinity tolerance
• hatching rate
• spawning ground
• Namdae River