Research Document - 2000/042

Status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) Populations in Crabbes and Robinson Rivers, and Middle Barachois, Fischells and Flat Bay Brooks, Newfoundland, 1999.

By T.R. Porter

Abstract

Adult Atlantic salmon were counted visually in Crabbes River, Middle Barachois Brook, Robinsons River, Fischells Brook, and Flat bay Brook, 23-29 August 1999. The surveys were conducted by crews of 3 to 12 snorkellers floating down the main stem of each river. Water levels were moderately low and salmon were predominately concentrated in pools with water depths less than 1m. An adjustment factor, ranging from 1.0 to 1.5 was applied to the counts in each river section 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. There were no retention angling fisheries on these rivers in 1999. An assumed mortality of 10% was applied to the estimates of the numbers of salmon that were hooked-and-released. The estimated total numbers of salmon that returned to each river are: Crabbes River, 686 small and 264 large salmon; Middle Barachois Brook, 559 small and 67 large salmon; Robinsons River, 1431 small and 203 large salmon; Fischells Brook, 1264 small and 246 large salmon: and, Flat Bay Brook, 2261 small and 235 large salmon. The percentage of the egg deposition conservation requirements achieved were 65% for Crabbes River, 44% for Middle Barachois Brook, 117% for Robinsons River, 110% for Fischells Brook, and 149% for Flat Bay Brook. The egg deposition is higher in 1999 than in 1998 for all rivers except Middle Barachois Brook. The apparent low egg deposition in Crabbes River and Middle Barachois Brook may be related to the unusually severe flood that occurred in February 1996, which may have caused high juvenile mortalities. The information available did not lend itself to forecasting the abundance of salmon in 2000. Two rainbow trout were observed in Robinsons River and Flat Bay Brook. Their origin is unknown.

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