Research Document - 2000/004

Stock Status of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in the Miramichi River, 1999.

By G. Chaput, D. Moore, J. Hayward, J. Shaesgreen, and B. Dubee

Abstract

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the Miramichi River, New Brunswick, were harvested by two user groups in 1999; First Nations and recreational fishers. The Aboriginal food fishery catches in 1999 represented an increase of 9% for small and 139% for large salmon relative to the previous five years. Harvests of large salmon were 86% from the early-run (prior to Sept. 1) and 96% of the small salmon harvests were taken prior to Sept. 1 in 1999. Recreational fishery catch data for 1999 had not yet been analysed. The Crown Reserve catches decreased from 1998 and the previous five-year mean. For the Southwest Miramichi, 11200 small salmon and 6800 large salmon were estimated to have returned in 1999. After accounting for removals, egg depositions in the Southwest Miramichi by both small and large salmon will be less than 55% of the conservation requirement. For the Northwest Miramichi, 11600 small salmon and 6700 large salmon were estimated to have returned. Egg depositions by small and large salmon in the Northwest in 1999 will be less than 128% of conservation requirement. Egg depositions had exceeded the conservation requirements in each branch prior to 1998 except for the Southwest Miramichi in 1997. Neither branch had achieved conservation requirements in 1998. Large salmon returns in 2000 are expected to be about 9700 fish with a near zero chance of meeting conservation requirements. The increased densities of juvenile salmon, since 1985 for fry and 1986 for parr, at the index sites sampled since 1971, indicate that the long-term prospect for the Atlantic salmon stock of the Miramichi should be good if smolt production is as high as inferred from juveniles and sea survivals improve.

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