Research Document - 2000/003

Status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the Tabusintac River in 1999.

By S.G. Douglas and D. Swasson

Abstract

Esgenoôpetitj First Nation and the recreational angling community harvested Atlantic salmon from the Tabusintac River in 1999. First Nation food fishery removals of small salmon (n=31) and large salmon (n=19) were 28% and 6% of the respective communal allocations. A telephone creel survey conducted for public water angling during the 1999 season, indicated that total bright salmon catches increased from 1998 but remain only 45% of the previous five year mean. Total catches in 1999 for both large (n=31) and small (n=56) salmon on leased water were 23% higher than in 1998 but 160% higher than the four year mean (1994, 1996-98). Total returns of large salmon to the Tabusintac River in 1999 were estimated from a mark-recapture experiment using tags applied at an estuary trapnet and the catches and recaptures from an upstream (recapture) trapnet. Most probable total returns of large salmon, generated by a Bayes algorithm, were estimated to be 900 fish. Total returns of small salmon were calculated from the estimate of large salmon returns and the combined capture efficiencies for large salmon observed at both trapnets in the current year. Total returns of small salmon were estimated to be 800 fish. After accounting for removals, large salmon spawning escapement was estimated to be 851 fish, which alone accounts for 237% of the conservation requirement. Small salmon spawning escapement was estimated to be 704 fish. Total estimated egg deposition was 250% of the conservation requirement. Egg deposition has exceeded the requirement in all assessed years and is expected to do so in 2000. Increased Atlantic salmon juvenile densities in 1999 are encouraging for the future of the resource.

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