Research Document - 1999/095

Status of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Populations in Crabbes River and Fischells Brook, Newfoundland, 1998.)

By T.R. Porter

Abstract

Adult Atlantic salmon were visually counted in Crabbes River and Fischells Brook, in 1998. The surveys were conducted during the period 26 August to 2 September 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 Crabbes River were 491 small and 177 large salmon, and to Fischells Brook was 215 small and 72 large salmon. The percentage of the egg deposition conservation requirement achieved in Crabbes River in 1998 was 44%, which is 54% lower than observed in 1997. In Fischells Brook 23% of the conservation egg deposition requirement was achieved, 48% lower than achieved in 1997. The spawning stock on Fischells Brook is at seriously low levels and it is advised that no fishing mortality be permitted in 1999. The information available did not lend itself to forecasting the abundance of salmon in 1999. The low abundance of small salmon in 1998 may have been due to the severe flooding in February 1996, which could have caused an increase in mortality of juvenile salmon.

Complete document (PDF, 1594 KB)

Accessibility Notice

This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.