Research Document - 2000/038

Status of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) stocks of Lomond River, Torrent River, and Western Arm Brook, Newfoundland, 1999.

By C.C. Mullins and D. Caines

Abstract

Returns of small salmon to Lomond River were 42% higher than in 1998 and 8% higher than the 1992-98 mean. Returns of large salmon were the third highest on record and 46% higher than the 1992-98 mean. Returns of small salmon to Torrent River were 19% less than in 1998 and 10% lower than the 1992-98 mean. Returns of large salmon in 1999 were 46% less than in 1998 and 13% less than the 1992-98 mean. Returns of small salmon to Western Arm Brook were 39% less than in 1998 but 10% higher than the 1992-98 mean. Returns of large salmon were 82% less than in 1998 and 50% less than the 1992-98 mean. Returns of both small and large salmon to all three rivers were higher than the 1984-91 means indicating improvements in the stocks since the commercial salmon fishery moratorium. The proportion of large salmon was higher than the 1984-91 mean on all three rivers. It is highly unlikely that the conservation requirement was not achieved on any of the three rivers in 1999. On the basis of the smolt production at Western Arm Brook in 1999 returns of 1SW salmon in 2000 are expected to be lower than in 1999 and the 1992-98 mean provided marine survival remains the same. Marine survival of smolts to returning 1SW salmon at Western Arm Brook was 6.1% in 1999, more than twice that in 1997. Spawning escapements are expected to exceed conservation requirements on all three rivers in 2000 assuming marine survival remains the same as in 1999. A decline in marine survival similar to that, which occurred in 1997, would mean that conservation requirements would likely not be achieved on Western Arm Brook in 2000. Due to overall improvements in stocks and the added control afforded by the river classification system, there may be opportunities on these rivers for increased harvests below counting facilities. However, given the uncertainty in annual marine survival observed for Western Arm Brook it is cautioned that harvests on this river should not be permitted until the conservation requirement (300 salmon) has been achieved. Expansion of fisheries above counting facilities on all three selected rivers is not recommended unless angling catches can be an accurately determined.

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