Science Advisory Report 2014/057

Stock Status of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in DFO Gulf Region (Salmon Fishing Areas 15 to 18) to 2013

Summary

• Atlantic salmon in DFO Gulf Region are harvested in Aboriginal Food, Social and Ceremonial (FSC) fisheries and in recreational fisheries. All recreational fisheries for large (>= 63 cm fork length) salmon are mandatory catch-and-release.
• Sixty percent of the 126 rivers with defined conservation egg requirements are small, with conservation requirements of less than 0.5 million eggs, equivalent to about 100 large salmon. Only four rivers have conservation egg requirements that exceed 15 million eggs each.
• Returns of large salmon to rivers in Gulf Region in 2012 were among the lowest on record in the major index rivers monitored in SFAs 15 (Restigouche), 16 (Miramichi) and 18 (Margaree). Returns in 2013 were at approximately the same levels as those estimated in 2012 in the Margaree River (SFA 18) and the Miramichi River (SFA 16) but were improved in the Restigouche River (SFA 15) from 2012. Returns of large salmon to Gulf Region overall in 2012 and 2013 were estimated to be 38,000 and 34,000 fish, respectively. This follows on the estimated 75,000 large salmon in 2011, near record for the 1970 to 2013 time series.
• Small salmon returns for Gulf Region in 2012 and 2013 were estimated at 18,000 and 24,000 respectively, the lowest and second lowest values of the time series beginning in 1970. This follows on the high return in 2011 of about 73,000 fish which was near the highest levels estimated since 1994 but low relative to the returns estimated during 1985 to 1993 (85,000 to 190,000 fish) and in several years during the 1970s.
• Conservation requirements, in terms of eggs from all size groups, were not met in 2012 with the exception of the Margaree River (SFA 18). In 2013, conservation requirements were met or exceeded in all assessed rivers except for the Miramichi River which achieved only 72% of egg requirements before fisheries removals, 68% after accounting for fisheries removals. This contrasts with 2011 when all assessed rivers in Gulf Region exceeded conservation requirements.
• There are currently about 23 rivers out of 71 rivers historically in SFA 17 (PEI) with confirmed salmon populations. Conservation requirements were met or exceeded in a group of small rivers on the northeast tip of PEI. Salmon production in the remainder of this area is constrained by sediment input from agricultural and other sources, fish kills due to pesticide inputs, water quality problems (low dissolved oxygen, high temperatures), competition with introduced rainbow trout, and habitat fragmentation due to artificial dams and improperly installed culverts.
• Atlantic salmon occupy the majority of rivers in Gulf Region and with exception of some rivers in SFA 17, juvenile abundances are sustained at moderate to high levels. Abundance of adult salmon is constrained by low marine survival, a phenomenon which is widespread for Atlantic salmon stocks from eastern North America.
• Because of undocumented harvests in aboriginal fisheries and incomplete or absent statistics on catches and harvests in the recreational fisheries, assessment of the effectiveness of management measures cannot be provided. Assumptions must be made to assess spawning escapements and compliance with conservation egg requirements.

This Science Advisory Report is from the Regional science peer review meeting of February 26-27, 2014 on the Stock status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in DFO Gulf Region (Salmon Fishing Areas 15 to 18). Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

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