Terms of Reference

Meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Advisory Process (RAP) on Salmonids

Stymies Meeting Room, Clovelly Golf Course, Stavanger Drive St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
November 6-7, 2008

Meeting Chairperson: Chuck Bourgeois, Section Head, Salmonids, Aquatic Resources Division, DFO, Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

Background

There are 15 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) management areas, known as Salmon Fishing Areas (SFAs) 1-14B, in Newfoundland and Labrador. Within these areas there are more than 200 rivers with reported Atlantic salmon populations characterized by differences in life history traits including freshwater residence time, age at first spawning, and the extent of ocean migrations. This year marks the second year of a five-year Atlantic salmon management program. The November meeting is intended primarily to update those stocks/rivers considered during the last assessment meeting, with emphasis on determining the level of conservation spawning requirement achieved.

Objectives

An update of any new information available concerning the status of Atlantic Salmon stocks will be presented for Salmon Fishing Area (SFA)¹ regions as follows:

• Labrador: SFAs 1-2, 14B 
• Newfoundland: SFAs 3-14A

The meeting will focus on the general state of salmon stocks in Newfoundland and Labrador and identify conservation issues.  Harvests will also be assessed as part of the stock status assessment for Labrador. Detailed assessments of individual rivers will not be carried out. Rather, regional overviews of the status of stocks will be tabled. Finally, an update on smolt production and marine survival of Newfoundland salmon will be presented.

Products

A Science Advisory Report, Proceedings Report and associated Research Documents will be produced as a result of this meeting.

Invited Participants

• DFO Science, Fisheries Management, Policy & Economics and SARA Program
• Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Parks Canada
• Various Non-Governmental Organizations and Associations
• Various Aboriginal Groups
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Various Salmon Working Groups
• Various Aquaculture Groups