Research Document - 2000/45

The stock status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in Big Brook (Michaels River), Labrador, 1999

By D.G. Reddin and P.B. Short

Abstract

The status of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) stock in Big Brook (also known as Michaels River), Labrador in 1999 was determined using counting fence data, samples collected in the angling fishery, and records of angling mortalities. The stock assessment was conducted in relation to the closure of the Atlantic salmon commercial fishery in Labrador in 1998. Also, this is the second assessment of a northern Labrador salmon stock. In 1999, total returns to Big Brook, adjusted for a non-operational period of counting fence due to high water, were 737 small and 180 large salmon. Small and large salmon made up 80.4 and 19.6%, respectively of returns to the river. The number of spawners adjusted for angling mortalities were 684 small and 166 large salmon. The egg deposition required for conservation for Big Brook is 5.294 x 10³ eggs using information from a river survey conducted by Murphy (1973) and the salmon conservation requirement of 240 eggs per m². The egg requirement converts to 1,780 small and 439 large salmon. In 1999, the proportion achieved of the conservation egg requirements was 38% (95^th confidence intervals 27 to 51%). There were 50 brook trout but no charr observed at the counting fence.

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