The Fish Site reports on salmon embryo research

The Fish Site reported on University of Maine research led by LeeAnne Thayer, a Ph.D. candidate in marine sciences, and Heather Hamlin, an assistant professor of aquaculture and marine biology. Beginning in 2000, fertilized salmon eggs began dying in large numbers, and the average survival rate fell from 80 to 50 percent. After five years of research, and one year to review the findings, the researchers published a report suggesting that higher levels of two hormones in the female broodstock would increase the likelihood of hatching salmon eggs back to 80 percent, according to the article. Hamlin proposed the study after learning farmers were concerned about the increased mortality of salmon embryos, the article states. Thayer and Hamlin worked with other UMaine researchers, in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Cooke Aquaculture.