Atlantic Fisheries Research Document 1996/139

The status of Atlantic salmon stock of the Humber River, Newfoundland, 1995

By C.C. Mullins; D.G. Reddin

Abstract

This is the sixth assessment of the Atlantic salmon stock of the Humber River. Indices of abundance are mark and recapture estimates of run size, angling catch and effort data and public consultations. Returns of small salmon in 1995 were the highest and large salmon were the second highest in six years of assessment which included two pre-moratorium years (1990 and 1991). Spawning escapements were above the conservation target in 1995 and in three out of four post-moratorium years compared to zero out of 12 pre-moratorium years since 1980. Spawners replaced themselves in three out of four post-moratorium years compared to only four out of 12 pre-moratorium years since 1980. Estimates of the total population size of salmon in pre-moratorium years, based on an assumed exploitation rate in the commercial fishery, indicate a significant decline since 1974. With the exception of 1995, the total population size of the salmon on the Humber River during the post-moratorium years has been among the lowest recorded.

The experience of anglers at public consultations in 1995 was that salmon were abundant on the river in the past season. Recreational catches of small salmon compiled by DFO in 1995 were above those in 1994 but below the 1992-1994 mean and below catches in pre-moratorium years. The interpretation of stock status based trends in recreational catch and effort data is confounded by the unknown effects of various catch and effort controls implemented in the fishery in recent years. In addition, as a result of less emphasis being place on the collection of recreational catch data, the actual observed, as opposed to estimated, catches and effort reported in 1995 were only 35% of the total (observed + estimated) catch and effort compared to 80% in years prior to 1990. The results of creel surveys at Big Falls suggest that angling catches on the Humber River are being underestimated by as much as 50%.

The smolt age distribution of adult salmon on the river in 1994 and 1995 was approximately 50% age-3 and 50% age-4. Assuming that this distribution remains unchanged, it will not be until 1997 and 1998 for small salmon and 1998 and 1999 for large salmon that the potential will exist for increased recruitment back to the river as a result of the moratorium. The recruitment back to the Humber River in 1996, based on the mean recruit/spawner ratio in 1992-1995, is anticipated to be less than in 1995.

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