Research Document 1998/105

The status of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) stock of three selected rivers in SFA 14A, Newfoundland, 1997

By C.C. Mullins

Abstract

Small salmon returns to Lomond River in 1997 were 31% higher than in 1996 but were 45% lower on Torrent River and 59% lower on Western Arm Brook. Large salmon returns to Lomond River were 21% lower than in 1996 but were 32% higher on Torrent River and 10% higher on Western Arm Brook. Returns of both small and large salmon were higher than the 1984-91 means on all three rivers. The proportion of large salmon increased since 1992 on all three rivers and was the highest recorded on Torrent River and Western Arm Brook in 1997. Conservation egg deposition and spawner requirements were exceeded on all three rivers in 1997. The low number of small salmon returns to Western Arm Brook in 1997 was unexpected because smolt survival since 1992 had increased compared to pre-moratorium years. Smolt survival in 1997 was only 3.0%, 50% less than the 1992-96 mean. The total population size of small salmon in some per-moratorium years was higher than in moratorium years on all three rivers. This trend is not expected to change in 1998. However, on the basis of the recruit and spawner relationships and provided that the smolt survival remains the same, recruitment of small salmon is expected to be higher in 1998 than in 1997. Spawning escapements are expected to exceed conservation requirements on all three rivers in 1998. Smolt production of 23,845 on Western Arm Brook in 1997 was the highest recorded. If smolt survival continues to decline in 1998, returns will be lower than expected on all three rivers.

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