At the start of the experiment, 10 fish from each size group,
and at the end of the experiment, five fish from each pen, were
sampled for determination of carcass traits and body composition.
The average sample weights for each net pen deviated less
than 0.2 kg from the average weights found by bulk weighing.
The fork length (cm) and weight (g) of whole body, liver and
gutted body (carcass) were recorded on the sampled fish. The
livers were immediately frozen on dry ice (CO2). A 2–3-cm-thick
cutlet was taken posterior to the base of the dorsal fin and the
weight and colour score on the cutlet were recorded. The colour
score was determined by the colour card from Roche (Skrede
et al. 1990) at the centre of the epaxial light muscle of the cutlet.
The cutlets and the remaining parts of the fish (whole fish minus
liver and a cutlet) were weighed and packed separately.