Science Advisory Report  2011/077

Stock Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Salmon - 2011

Summary

Newfoundland and Labrador Region (SFAs 1-14B)

• Marine survival appears to be the major factor limiting the abundance of Atlantic salmon within the region. Inter-annual variation in marine survival continues to fluctuate widely.
• The index of abundance of small and large salmon in insular Newfoundland for 2011 was above the previous five year mean (2006-10). However, the previous five year mean remains below the pre-moratorium index (prior to 1992) of abundance for both small and large salmon.
• In Labrador, returns of small and large salmon increased over the previous six year mean. The 2011 returns are in contrast to a five year declining trend. Abundance of large salmon has remained particularly low since the late 1980s.
• Eleven (65%) of the 17 Atlantic salmon stocks assessed in Newfoundland and Labrador achieved their conservation egg requirement. Of the six stocks that did not achieve conservation, four have historically undergone enhancement activities including fish passage and stocking. The remaining two stocks that failed to achieve conservation are in SFA 11.
• The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has designated the South Newfoundland (SFA’s 9-12) Atlantic salmon population as threatened in November 2010.

Labrador (SFA 1-2 and 14B)

• Abundance levels of large and small salmon in Labrador, in the previous six years, are below levels achieved prior to the moratorium.
• Returns of small and large salmon in 2011 were some of the highest in the series of record. The conservation egg requirement was achieved on all 4 assessed rivers.
• In 2011, numbers of small and large salmon were above the previous six year mean. There remains concern regarding the low level of large salmon spawners in Labrador.

Newfoundland (SFAs 3-14A)

• Returns of small and large salmon in 2011 varied greatly among the various geographical areas.  Compared to the previous five year mean (2006-10), small salmon returns increased on seven rivers and decreased on six, whereas, large salmon returns increased on nine and decreased on four. The index of abundance of small and large salmon was above the previous five year mean in insular Newfoundland.
• Conservation egg requirement was achieved on seven of 13 assessed rivers. Four of the six rivers that did not achieve conservation have had additional habitat made available through anthropogenic actions. (i.e. Exploits, Terra Nova, Northwest and Rocky). The remaining two rivers that did not achieve conservation were Conne River and Little River in SFA 11.
• In 2011 Parks Canada operated a counting fence on Western Brook in Gros Morne National Park. The Conservation egg requirement was not achieved.
• Compared to the previous five year mean (2006-10), marine survival increased on three of the five monitored rivers. The overall index of marine survival for 2011 was above the previous five year mean. The direction of change for smolt production was variable among the assessed rivers.

This Science Advisory Report is from the regional advisory meeting, November 8-9, 2011, on the Status of Atlantic Salmon in Newfoundland & Labrador. Additional publications from this process will be posted as they become available on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science Advisory Schedule.

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