Research Document 1997/18

Stauts of Atlantic Salmon in the Restigouche River in 1996

By A. Locke, R. Pickard, F. Mowbray, G. Landry, A. Madden, and E. Leblanc

Abstract

Salmon egg deposition and large salmon spawning escapement in the Restigouche system were believed to be approximately 10-20% below the levels required for conservation, based on an angling-based population estimate and extrapolations from visual counts. Angling-based population estimates were calculated using a range of angling exploitations from 0.3 to 0.5. The exploitation rate was believed to be relatively low in 1996, probably approximating 03-03.5 as was the case in nearby Gaspé rivers. At an exploitation rate of 0.3, spawning escapement was approximately 11,000 large and 8,000 small salmon, which represents 93% and 304% respectively, of the conservation requirement. Small salmon spawning escapement exceeded target according to all assessment methods. Returns (exploitation rate = 0.3) were approximately 16,000 large and 13,000 small salmon. Angling catches (retained + released) were 3,823 large and 3,414 small salmon. Large salmon catch increased by 17% relative to the five-year mean and small salmon catch was similar to the five-year mean (more than double the catch in 1995). Retained large salmon angling catch (Québec) was 1,001 fish. New Brunswick First Nations harvest was at least 213 large and 77 small salmon. Québec First Nations harvest was unknown. Densities of all juvenile age classes, determined by electrofishing, were 32-52% below the five-year means. This was unexpected since high densities of age 0 and 1 parr were sampled in 1995. Assuming average (1992-1996) returns in 1997, total returns (angling-based estimate, exploitation rate of 0.3 to 0.5) will be 9,000-15,000 large and 8,000-14,000 small salmon

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