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Introduction:
Steelhead salmon are actually
rainbow trout that are raised in saltwater. The Latin
name is Oncorhynchus mykiss. Steelheads have
a long body and their coloring ranges from bluish to
yellow-green, brown or black. They are characterized
by a silvery sheen.
These finfish are natives to the
west coast and are a relative of the west coast salmon. In the wild,
rainbow trout migrate to saltwater from freshwater streams and return
to freshwater to spawn when they are mature. Steelhead were first
cultured in Nova Scotia in the 1970s, Cape Breton being the first
Aquaculture site.
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Life Cycle:
Freshwater
Steelhead start their lives in freshwater and are reared
similarly to rainbow trout. When steelheads reach 100 grams,
they are ready to be transferred to saltwater. Some steelheads
are grown to 450 grams before they are moved to saltwater
cages. The fish are transferred in May and go through the
final grow-out over the summer and fall.
Saltwater
The fish are grown in net-pens in saltwater. They are
placed in the pens in spring (April-May) and grow to market
size, which takes between six and nine months. Harvesting
is between September and December at which time the fish
are between one and three kilograms.
Feeding Habits:
Steelheads are fed a similar diet to the rainbow trout.
This may be either dry or moist food pellets. These contain
80% fish meal and fish oil with added minerals and vitamins.
The diet provides a proper nutritional balance that promotes
growth and quality.
Growing Techniques:
The saltwater growth takes place in sea cages. These consist
of a nylon mesh cage suspended from a floating collar. This
can be made from steel, wood, plastic or aluminum. The nets
must be periodically changed or cleaned of fouling organisms
(seaweeds, mussels) which block the flow of water through
the cage.
Farming Areas:
There is currently a lot of activity related to steelhead
salmon in Nova Scotia. Farms are located in the Pubnico
and Lobster Bay areas and the Bras d'Or Lakes in Cape Breton.
The eastern shore area of Nova Scotia has clean, cold water
that also supports a number of sites.
See also Rainbow Trout.
Conclusion:
For more information, contact Aquaculture
(aquaculture@gov.ns.ca).
Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture
P.O. Box 2223
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada B3J 3C4
Phone: (902) 424-0356
Fax: (902) 424-4671
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