Research Document - 1999/093
Status of Atlantic salmon at Highlands River, Bay St. George, SFA 13, Newfoundland, 1998.
By J.B. Dempson and G. Clarke
Abstract
The status of Atlantic salmon in Highlands River, 1998 was determined from the number of salmon counted through a fish counting fence located on the main stem of the river just above head of tide. Biological characteristics data were collected from kelt and updated summaries for past years are provided. Adult returns in 1998 were 96 small salmon and 117 large salmon. This represented a decrease of 76% for small salmon in comparison with 1997 while large salmon returns declined by 25% from the previous year. Sea survival was again low for both small and large salmon returns. The 1998 smolt count of 5922 is the lowest on record for 1980-82 and 1993-98. The proportion of the conservation requirement achieved for Highlands River in 1998 was 58.9% with the 5th and 95th percentiles of 46.1 to 73.7%. On average for the period of 1993-97, Highlands River has achieved 74.9% of its conservation requirement.
Population estimates of juvenile salmon were made at 5 sites. At 4 of the 5 stations, underyearlings were less than in 1995 and juvenile salmon biomass was also lower. An exceptionally high flood in February of 1996, prior to emergence of fry, moved massive amounts of substrate and was likely to have had a negative effect on the 1996 year class. The lower smolt production in 1997 and again in 1998 is believed to be a result of the flood. Smolt production is again expected to be low in 1999, and because of the poor runs in 1997 and 1998, the conservation requirement for Highlands River is not expected to be attained in 1999.
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