Research Document 1998/112

Stock status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in Crabbes, Robinsons and Middle Barachois Rivers, Bay St. George, Newfoundland, 1997

By Porter, T.R. and C. Bourgeois

Abstract

Adult Atlantic salmon were visually counted in Crabbes and Robinsons rivers, and Middle Barachois and Flat Bay brooks, in 1997, for the second consecutive year. A visual count of salmon was conducted for the first time in Fischells Brook. The surveys were conducted between August 19 and 26 by swimmers snorkeling down each river. Almost all of the salmon were found in pools, generally with water depths greater than 1 m. An adjustment factor, ranging from 1.0 to 2.0, was applied to the counts in each river section surveyed to account for fish not observed in the larger pools. There were no known removals after the survey, therefore the adjusted count is considered to be the spawning escapement for the river. An estimate of the numbers of salmon hooked and released and numbers retained in the recreational fishery were available from the license stub return system. A hook-and-release mortality of 10% was assumed. The estimated total returns to the rivers are: Crabbes, 1,154 small and 358 large salmon; Middle Barachois Brook, 1,104 small and 188 large salmon; Robinsons River, 1,075 small and 190 large salmon; Fischells Brook, 800 small and 85 large salmon; Flat Bay Brook 1,308 small and 173 large salmon. The percentage of the egg deposition conservation requirements achieved by each river are: Crabbes River - 95%, Middle Barachois Brook - 148%, Robinsons River - 91%, Fischells Brook - 44%, and Flat Bay Brook - 89 %. The percent of the conservation requirements achieved is the highest estimated for the past 15 years for all rivers other than Fischells Brook. The spawning stock on Fischells Brook is at a very low level and fishing mortality should be reduced. The information available did not lend itself to forecasting the abundance of salmon in 1998; however, the increased abundance of small salmon in rivers other than Fischells Brook, in 1997 compared to 1996, would suggest that there may be a slight increase in large salmon in 1998. The abundance on small salmon in 1998 may be lower due to the severe flooding in February 1996, which may have caused an increase in mortality of juvenile salmon.

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