Terms of Reference

Atlantic Salmon Fisheries Scenario Analysis for the Margaree River (NS) for 2012

Regional Science Special Response Process – Gulf Region

August 9, 2012
Moncton, New Brunswick

Chairperson: Marc Lanteigne (DFO Gulf Region)

Context

The First Nations of Nova Scotia have requested increases in their allocations for food, social and ceremonial (FSC) purposes of small salmon and large salmon from the Margaree River in 2012. Small salmon and large salmon FSC allocations to the First Nations of Nova Scotia have been 345 large salmon and 135 small salmon. The Native Council of Nova Scotia has an allocation of 1,820 salmon (size unspecified) from a large number of rivers in Nova Scotia but the licence conditions stipulate that only small salmon are harvested in the bright season. Retention of small salmon (<63 cm fork length) is allowed in the recreational fishery whereas all large salmon (>= 63 cm fork length) must be released. In the recreational fishery of the Margaree River in 2011, it was estimated that 201 small salmon were retained, 389 small salmon were caught and released, and 2,204 large salmon were caught and released.

In the most recent stock assessment of Atlantic salmon (DFO 2012), it was concluded that the returns and the spawning escapement of large salmon to the Margaree River (Salmon Fishing Area 18) exceeded the conservation requirements (1,036 fish) every year since 1987. No forecasts of returns of either small salmon or large salmon to the Margaree River in 2012 were provided (DFO 2012).

To support the consultation process and to ensure that conservation of Atlantic salmon is not placed at risk, DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management has requested science advice on the risks to conservation of various fishery allocation scenarios for the Margaree River for 2012. Given that the most recent stock assessment includes the 2011 return year and given the urgency of negotiating a harvesting plan for the First Nations FSC fisheries for 2012, a special science response process was initiated.

Objectives

The meeting will review an analysis and provide advice on the risks to meeting conservation for Atlantic salmon of the Margaree River for fisheries options in 2012. Specifically, an increasing range of aboriginal peoples FSC allocations from the 2011 allocation level of 345 large salmon and 135 small salmon will be examined combined with the following recreational fishery scenarios:

1. recreational fisheries management measures as in 2011 (mandatory catch and release of large salmon (>= 63 cm fork length), season retention limit of 4 small salmon per licence, season June 1 to Oct. 31),
2. recreational fishery in October only and mandatory catch and release for small salmon and large salmon, and
3. no recreational fishery.

An estimate of the potential surplus to conservation requirements of large Atlantic salmon in 2012 given the objective that there should be a low probability (< 5%) of total egg depositions of Atlantic salmon in 2012 being less than the conservation egg requirement for the Margaree River will be provided.

The working paper will include a description of the data used in the analysis, a description of the assessment, forecast and risk analysis model, model results and diagnostics, and a description of the uncertainties. The working paper will be available two days before the review meeting.

Expected Publications

• Science Response
• Research Document

Participation

Potential participants to the review include:

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science Branch, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch)

References

DFO. 2012. Stock status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in DFO Gulf Region (Salmon Fishing Areas 15 to 18). DFO. Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2012/040.