THE PROTECTION OF YOUNG SALMON


- The young salmon, called ‘tacan’ or ‘tocan,’ has not reached the legal minimum size for the capture of salmon (0.50m).
- They must be returned to the water.
Since they closely resemble brown trout of the same size, it is necessary to know how to recognize them.
Refer to the sketch below and the following differences:

TACON
1/ The body is more fusiform (tapering at both ends).
2/ The caudal fin (tail) is more cut away.
3/ The caudal joint (joining tail to the rest of the body) is narrower.
4/ The adipose fin is grey.
5/ The rear extremity of the jaw is in line with the pupil of the eye.
6/ The pectoral fins are more elongated, often reaching to a point level with the first ray of the dorsal fin.

BROWN TROUT
1/ The body is bigger.
2/ The caudal fin less cut-away, points more rounded, edged pink or brown, very pronounced on top and bottom edges.
3/ The tail joint is smoother and slightly shorter.
4/ The adipose fin has a red, orange or brown upper edge.
5/ The rear extremity of the jaw reaches or passes the rear edge of the eye.
6/ The pectoral fins are shorter.