Life history of anadromous arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, in the Fraser River, northern Labrador

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Abstract
Upstream migrations of anadromous Arctic charr, S. alpinus, were monitored in the Fraser River, Labrador. Samples of charr were randomly obtained from 1975-1979 for biological analysis of age, growth, reproductive and migratory characteristics. The run begins in mid-July and extends until late Sept. Larger charr tend to enter the river first with a progressive decrease in mean length throughout the run. Size and age composition of migrant charr range from 13-82 cm (.hivin.x .+-. SD, 45.1 .+-. 7.3)and from 3-18 yr (8.3 .+-. 1.7), respectively. Spawning activity peaks during the last 2 wk in Oct. Fecundity of fish 41-61 cm in fork length ranged from 2316-9245 eggs (4665 .+-. 434) with approximately 75% of females mature by 8 yr of age. There was no evidence from tag recaptures over an 8-yr period (1976-1983; N = 241) that Fraser River charr undergo extensive marine migrations. Approximately 84% of the recaptures were from fish which either returned to the Fraser River or were caught in commercial and domestic fisheries in adjacent Nain and Tikkoatokak bays. In comparison with other North American Arctic charr populations, Fraser River charr are similar with respect to the large variability observed in age at length, variable maturation cycle, and preponderance of females at sea during the summer. Differences occur among individual life history characteristics such as growth rate, size and age at 1st seaward migration, size and age at maturity, fecundity and movements at sea.