Research Document - 2001/047

The gaspereau fisheries (Alosa pseudoharengus and A. eastivalis) of the Miramichi River with updates on the fishery of the Richibucto river of Gulf New Brunswick

By Chaput, G., Atkinson, G.

Abstract

The gaspereau (Alosa aestivalis, Blueback herring; Alosa pseudoharengus, Alewife) fisheries are regulated by license and season restrictions. Gaspereau catches in 1997 and 2000 decreased in the Gulf New Brunswick region relative to the previous 5-year means but catches were above average in 1998 and 1999. Landings of gaspereau in 1997 and 2000 from the Miramichi River were the lowest since 1984. Reference fishing mortality rates (F) are 0.4 to 0.5 for alewife and 0.4 for blueback herring. In the catches, alewife proportions declined from 65% in 1997 to 17% of the total gaspereau catches (by number) in 1999 and 2000. The 1997 migration of gaspereau was later in the season than for 1998 to 2000. Less than half of the gaspereau stock was available to the fishery in 1997 compared to 63% to 80% during 1998 to 2000. The estimated fishing mortality rates on alewife have generally been above reference levels every year since 1982 and were highest in recent years. Exploitation rates on blueback herring have been closer to the reference levels although increasing since 1993. Both alewife and blueback herring in these fisheries are harvested primarily at the recruit stage. Based on the apparent weakness of the 1996 and 1997 year classes for both alewife and blueback herring, abundance in 2001 is not expected to be high. The limited age distribution of both alewife and blueback in the Richibucto River catches and the absence of fish older than 6 years, indicate that the status of the gaspereau stocks is similar to that of the Miramichi River with exploitation rates above reference levels.

Complete document (PDF, 863 KB)

Accessibility Notice

This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.