Research Document - 1999/081

Status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) stocks of the Newfoundland region, 1998.

By By M.F. O'Connell, J.B. Dempson, C.C. Mullins, D.G. Reddin, D.G. Cochrane and D. Caines

Abstract

The commercial Atlantic salmon fishery moratorium implemented in insular Newfoundland in 1992 entered its seventh year in 1998. The Labrador commercial fishery also closed in 1998. In the absence of an in-river assessment program, it was not possible to determine the status of salmon stocks in Labrador in 1998, nor was it possible to determine the impacts of the closure of the commercial fishery on returns to rivers. On the northeast and east coasts of insular Newfoundland (SFAs 4 and 5), total returns of small salmon in 1998 increased over those of 1997 in six out of seven monitored rivers; two rivers showed increases in 1998 in relation to the 1992-96 mean, while the remainder, with the exception of one, were similar or recorded slight declines. Available data suggest an overall decline in total returns of small salmon in SFAs 12 and 13 (which includes Bay St. George) in 1998 compared to 1997. On the south coast (SFAs 9-11) total returns of small salmon in 1998 increased over 1997 in two out of five rivers, were similar in two and decreased in one; three rivers decreased in relation to the 1992-96 mean while the remaining two were similar. Total returns of small salmon in 1998 increased over 1997 and the 1992-96 mean in two out of three monitored rivers in SFA 14A (northwest coast). Total returns of large salmon to most rivers in 1998 exceeded the mean for 1992-96 and several rivers had the highest or among the highest returns on record. Smolt production in 1998 decreased at all six counting facilities, with the declines ranging from 6% to 31%. Unless there is an improvement in marine survival rates, it is likely that returns of small salmon to rivers in insular Newfoundland in 1999 will, in general, be slightly lower than in 1998. Based on estimates of spawning stock size in previous years for Labrador, population sizes are not expected to increase in 1999 without an improvement in natural survival rates.

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