Research Document - 2000/005

Status of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar) in the Buctouche River, and relative juvenile abundance in other Southeastern New Brunswick Rivers in 1999.

By G. Atkinson, J. Peters, and V. Leblanc

Abstract

Due to egg depositions well below the conservation requirement in recent years, the angling season was closed and there was no First Nation allocation of salmon on the Buctouche River as of 1998. Salmon returns in 1999 were calculated from catches and known efficiency of an estuary trapnet operated by Buctouche first Nation. Total large salmon returns were estimated at 244 and total small salmon returns at 115, with respective spawning escapements of 244 and 111. Total egg deposition was estimated at 102% of the conservation requirement. This represents a tripling of the level in 1998, and the first instance in seven assessed years when the requirement may have been met. Juvenile densities on the Buctouche were well below optimum, especially for fry, confirming the low egg deposition observed in 1998. Results from a juvenile survey of four other southeastern New Brunswick rivers indicated that the level of spawning success has been variable and asynchronous. The variability, unpredictability and generally depressed status observed in the Buctouche stock appears to be characteristic of most rivers in the area, and a valid basis for the general management of stocks. The forecast for the Buctouche in 2000 is the five year mean of total returns, which is 167 (90% CL 114-220) large and 106 (92-120) for small salmon. With all retention fisheries closed there is only a 3% probability that the egg conservation requirement will be met in 2000.

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