Science Advisory Report 2020/027
Inner Bay of Fundy (iBoF) Returning Adult Atlantic Salmon Population Abundance Estimate
Summary
- Even with the uncertainty in the annual population estimates for the inner Bay of Fundy (iBoF) Atlantic Salmon Designatable Unit (DU), current estimates consistently remain below the 1999 estimate of less than 250 returning adults.
- The iBoF DU population abundance has not improved and may have further declined since the late 1990s despite supplementation efforts. The 1999 population estimate was comprised primarily of wild-origin fish, whereas the current estimates (adult returns less than 105 in 4 of 5 years) predominantly originate from Live Gene Bank (LGB) program support.
- The egg-to-smolt survival rates used in this analysis were derived from adult releases from 2003–2005. Given the shift in program release strategies from smolts and parr to unfed fry and mature adults, updated egg-to-smolt survival rates would provide more accurate population abundance estimates, which could be used to inform recovery action decisions.
- Under current conditions, it is highly unlikely that adult returns to these rivers can be maintained without the support of the LGB program, and given the lack of juvenile production from natural spawning.
- IBoF rivers that are not supported by LGB releases may contain remnant populations of Atlantic Salmon; however, their contribution to the DU adult abundance estimate has not been included in this assessment. Additional assessment work is needed before they can be incorporated into the full iBoF DU estimate.
This Science Advisory Report is from the October 19, 2018, Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon Population Abundance Estimate meeting 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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