The Effect of AQUI-S® Sedation on Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Stress Responses during Salmon Smolt, Salmo salar L., Transport and Transfer to Sea

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of AQUI-S-(R) (5.0 mg/L) sedation compared with nonsedation on the primary (plasma cortisol), secondary (osmoregulation), and tertiary (mortality) stress responses in Atlantic salmon smolts during transport and transfer to sea. AQUI-S sedation during on- and off-loading sufficiently reduced the primary stress response to lower mortality (2.5%) during transfer to sea compared with unsedated fish, which experienced a mortality rate above 11.5%. The unsedated fish experienced an acute mortality, which only stabilized 16 d after the transport. None of the secondary stress responses measured in this experiment could contribute in explaining this phenomenon, with the possible exception of plasma magnesium. While osmolality and chloride increased in both groups during the experiment, it did not seem to be related to the difference in the primary stress response documented in the sedated and unsedated groups. It instead appeared to be an effect of the salinity change from freshwater to seawater after transport. Plasma magnesium differed between the groups, while plasma magnesium in the AQUI-S-sedated group returned to prestress levels 12 h after transport. The unsedated group showed no such recovery even 1 wk after transport, which may indicate a disturbance in hydromineral balance and give plausible explanation for delayed mortality this group experienced. AQUI-S shows promise as a stress-reducing sedative for Atlantic salmon smolts and if used properly could improve animal welfare and survivability during and after common aquaculture-related incidents.