Research Document 1997/19

Status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the Buctouche River in 1996

By G. Atkinson, J. Peters, V. Leblanc, G. Cormier, M.-J. Maille

Abstract

Angling effort on the Buctouche River is low and in most years insufficient to estimate catches. Data from the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources were not available for 1996. A telephone survey of anglers indicated that at least 21 large salmon were released, 19 small salmon were retained, and 2 were released. First Nation catches were four large and 25 small salmon. Unrecorded catch (poaching) was estimated at 10 large and 10 small salmon. A mark-recapture experiment was the basis for estimating returns: tags were applied at one estuarial trapnet and recovered at a counting fence in freshwater. Large salmon total returns were estimated at 134 and small salmon total returns at 127. Respective spawning escapements were 124 and 78. Total egg deposition was a minimum of 46% of the conservation requirement, since some fish (mostly small salmon) ascended prior to installation of counting facilities. This represents a decline of 21%, relative to 1995. Juvenile densities at the sites surveyed were somewhat higher than previous years but still well below optimum, confirming that spawning in recent years has been inadequate. At present, sufficient information on stock status has not been accumulated to forecast returns, but with four consecutive years well below requirements (mean: 53%) it is unlikely that conservation requirements will be met on the Buctouche River in 1997. In this event there will be no harvestable surplus of large or small salmon.

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