The Progressive Fish Culturist 59:36-40. 1997 
© Copyright by the American Fisheries Society 1997 

Reproductive Performance of Cultured Female Coho Salmon in Chile 

FRANCISCO ESTAY AND NELSON F. DÍAZ 

Department of Ecological Sciences. Faculty of Sciences University of Chile. Post Office Box 653. Santiago, Chile

ROBERTO NEIRA AND XIMENA GARCIA 

Department of Animal Production. Facultv of Agricultural and Forestry of Sciences University of Chile. Post Office Box 1004. Santiago. Chile

Abstract 
Data on reproductive traits from 1.229 mature 2-year-old female coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch were collected during 2 years at four salmon farms in southern Chile. Spawning periods were similar in 1993 and 1994 (39 and 41 d. respectively). The spawning period of May-June. corresponded to the full reproductive period in the northern hemisphere. The mean weight of mature females (about 4 kg) was almost double the weight reported in the northern hemisphere for 2-year-old maturing females. The pigmented eyed stage was reached approximately 270 accumulated temperature units (ATU days x ºC above 0ºC after fertilization. Averages for total fecundity (3.802 = 956 eggs/female. mean t±SD; N = 1. 188). relative fecundity (986±274 eggs/ kg; N = 1.170). and egg diameter (7.11±0.51 mm; N = 1.185) were higher than corresponding values reported for coho salmon hatchery stocks in the northern hemisphere. Survival to the eyed-egg stage averaged 74.3±24.2% (N = 1.147). Correlations of female body weight with total fecundity r = 0.36 N = 1.170; P < 0.001). relative fecundity (r = -0.50; N = 1.170; P < 0.001), and egg diameter (r = 0.34; N =1,167; P < 0.001) were lower but similar to those describes for rainbow trout 0. mykiss. Reproductive performance of Chilean coho salmon cultured in net-pens was better than from systems in the northern hemisphere.