Research Document 1997/75

The gaspereau fisheries (Alosa pseudoharengus and A. aestivalis) of the Miramichi River with updates on the fisheries of the Pokemouche, Tracadie and Richibucto rivers of Gulf New Brunswicik

By G. Chaput and G. Atkinson

Abstract

The gaspereau (Alosa aestivalis, Blueback herring; Alosa pseudoharengus, Alewife) fisheries are regulated by license and season restrictions. Gaspereau landings in Gulf New Brunswick in 1995 and 1996 were down from the previous 5-year average.Target fishing mortalities for gaspereau are between 0.4 and 0.5. Estimated returns of alewife to the Miramichi River increased from about 3 million fish in 1982 to 8 million fish since 1991. Bleuback herring abundance peaked in 1987 and 1988 at about 15 million fish but has since declined to about 6 million fish since 1990. Exploitaiton rates on alewife were generally higher than on blueback herring. The fishing mortality rates exceeded the target levels for alewife and have oscillated around the target levels for blueback herring. Alewife and to a lesser extent blueback herring are harvested primarily at the recruit stage.

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