Science Advisory Report 2010/087

Stock Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Salmon - 2010

Summary

Newfoundland and Labrador Region (SFAs 1-14B)

• Low marine survival since the late 1980s continues to be a major factor contributing to the overall low abundance of Atlantic salmon within the region. Inter-annual variation in the index of marine survival continues to fluctuate widely as evidenced by the marine survival of the 2007-10 returns (Fig.11).
• The index of abundance of small and large salmon in insular Newfoundland for 2010 was above the previous five year mean (2005-09). However, the previous five year mean remains below the pre-moratorium index of abundance for both small and large salmon.
• In Labrador, returns of small and large salmon declined from the previous six year mean. 2010 was the second year of lower small salmon returns and is of concern. Of particular importance would be a three year consecutive decline that represents a generation of spawners and could considerably reduce production of future smolt classes. Abundance of large salmon has remained particularly low since the late 1980s.
• Seven of the 16 (44%) Atlantic salmon stocks assessed in Newfoundland and Labrador achieved their conservation egg limit. Conservation was not achieved in any of the three rivers assessed in Labrador and the mean egg limit achieved was 65%.

Labrador (SFA 1-2 and 14B)

• Abundance levels of large and small salmon in Labrador, on average, are below levels achieved prior to the moratorium. Low marine survival, since the late 1980s, continues to be a major factor affecting overall abundance of Atlantic salmon within the Labrador portion of the region.
• In 2010, numbers of small and large salmon were below the previous six year mean. The 2010 index of abundance of large salmon decreased to one of the lowest levels on record and is below the long-term mean. There remains concern regarding the low level of large salmon spawners in Labrador.
• As a result of high water conditions, the counting fence at Sand Hill River was installed later than normal (approximately 2-3 weeks) and returns were adjusted accordingly.

Newfoundland (SFAs 3-14A)

• Returns of small and large salmon in 2010 were some of the highest since the closure of the commercial fisheries in 1992. Compared to the previous five year mean (2005-09), small salmon returns increased on 12 rivers and decreased on one, whereas, large salmon returns increased on seven and decreased on six. The index of abundance of small and large salmon was above the previous five year mean in insular Newfoundland.
• Conservation egg limit was achieved on seven of 13 assessed rivers. Four of the six rivers that did not achieve conservation have had newly opened habitat (i.e. Exploits, Terra Nova, Northwest and Rocky). The remaining two rivers that did not achieve conservation were Conne River (69%) and Harry’s River (94%).
• Compared to the previous five year mean (2005-09), sea survival increased on three of the five monitored rivers. The index of marine survival for 2010 was above the previous five year mean. The direction of change for smolt production was variable among the assessed rivers.

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