Research Document - 2001/008

Stock Status of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar) in the Miramichi River, 2000

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

Abstract

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the Miramichi River, New Brunswick, were harvested by two user groups in 2000; First Nations and recreational fishers. The Aboriginal food fishery catches in 2000 represented an increase of 43% for small and 32% decrease for large salmon relative to the previous five year means. Harvests of large salmon were 67% from the early-run (prior to Sept. 1) and 90% of the small salmon harvests were taken prior to Sept. 1 in 2000. Recreational fishery catch data for 2000 have not yet been analysed. The Crown Reserve catches increased from 1999 but were among the lowest of the time series. For the Southwest Miramichi, 22600 small salmon and 13100 large salmon were estimated to have returned in 2000. After accounting for removals (so far incomplete), egg depositions in the Southwest Miramichi by both small and large salmon was less than 97% of the conservation requirement. For the Northwest Miramichi, 12900 small salmon and 4700 large salmon were estimated to have returned. Egg depositions by small and large salmon in the Northwest in 2000 will be less than 87% 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 achieved conservation requirements in 1998 and 1999. Large salmon returns in 2001 are expected to be between 14700 and 25200 fish with a 54% chance of meeting conservation requirements. The increased and sustained densities of juvenile salmon, since 1985 for fry and 1986 for parr, at the index sites sampled since 1971, indicate that abundance of Atlantic salmon adults of the Miramichi will be similar to recent years unless smolt production increases and / or sea survivals improve.

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