Research Document - 2010/139

Status of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Stocks of Insular Newfoundland (SFAs 3-14A), 2009

By M. J. Robertson, J. B. Dempson, D. G. Reddin, G. I. Veinott, N. M. Cochrane, C. E. Bourgeois, and D. Caines

Abstract

2009 marks the 18th year of the commercial Atlantic salmon fishery moratorium in insular Newfoundland. Returns of small salmon in 2009 declined relative to 2008 in 85% of assessed rivers (11 of 13) and increased in Exploits River (SFA 4) and Little River (SFA 11). Large salmon returns also declined in 2009 in 69% of assessed rivers (9 of 13). Overall abundance of small salmon in insular Newfoundland (SFA 3-14A) reached record low levels in 2001 and 2007. Peaks in small salmon abundance, approaching pre-moratorium levels, occurred in 2004 and 2008. These large variations in small salmon abundance have resulted in a long term moratorium mean (1997-2008) that is similar to the initial five year moratorium mean (1992-96) and below pre-moratorium levels (1984-91). As was expected, overall abundance of large salmon returns increased steadily following the commercial moratorium from 1992 to 1998. However, as with small salmon, returns of large salmon experienced low levels in 2001 and 2007 but increased little in 2008. Large salmon returns declined in 2009, reaching the lowest level since 1993. The proportion of large salmon in total returns increased in 2009 in the three west coast rivers (SFA 13 and 14A), Exploits River (SFA 4), and Northwest River (SFA 5) but declined elsewhere (8 of 13 assessed rivers: 62%). Conservation requirements in 2009 were met or exceeded in only 46% of assessed rivers (6 of 13). Marine survival of smolts varied widely from 2006 to 2009. Mean marine survival rates decreased from 7.2% in 2006 to 3.3% in 2007, increased to 7.6% in 2008 and declined again to 4.8% in 2009. During the 2009 angling season, 40 (25%) of the 158 scheduled rivers (or tributaries of major rivers) in insular Newfoundland were closed for varying periods of time for environmental reasons.

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