Research Document - 2002/028

Status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) stocks of insular Newfoundland (SFAs 3-14A), 2001

By M. F. O'Connell, J. B. Dempson, C. C. Mullins, D. G. Reddin, C. E. Bourgeois, T. R. Porter, N. M. Cochrane, and D. Caines

Abstract

The commercial Atlantic salmon fishery moratorium, implemented in insular Newfoundland in 1992, entered its 10th year in 2001. Returns of small salmon to monitored rivers on the northeast and east coasts in 2001 increased over 2000 for Exploits (60%), Campbellton (20%), and Terra Nova (37%) rivers but decreased for Gander River (11%), Middle Brook (26%), and Northwest River, Port Blandford (63%). Returns of small salmon to Exploits and Terra Nova rivers in 2001 were similar to the means for 1992-2000, but the remaining rivers showed declines ranging from 26% (Campbellton River) to 77% (Northwest River, Port Blandford). Returns of large salmon to Exploits River (97%) and Terra Nova River (43%) increased over 2000 but decreased in the range of 13 % (Gander River) to 67% (Middle Brook) for the remainder. In southern Newfoundland, returns of small salmon in 2001 decreased in all monitored rivers compared to 2000, being most pronounced for Little (78%) and Conne (78%) rivers. Declines also occurred in relation to the 1992-2000 means for all rivers (ranging from 27% for Rocky River to 62% for Northeast River, Placentia). Returns of large salmon also decreased in all rivers relative to 2000 (ranging from 33% for Little River to 75% for Northeast River, Placentia) and the 1992-2000 means (13% for Rocky River to 54% for Northeast River, Placentia). In Bay St. George (located in SFA 13), returns of small salmon to Highlands and Robinsons rivers in 2001 increased over 2000 (29 and 26%) but decreased in the range of 18% (Middle Barachois River) to 88% (Fischells River) for the remaining rivers in this area. Returns to Middle Barachois River remained similar to the 1992-2000 mean while Robinsons River improved (60%), but the remaining rivers all declined (range of 19% for Crabbes River to 79% for Fischells River). Except for Crabbes and Highlands rivers, returns of large salmon in 2001 decreased from 2000 (being most pronounced for Fischells River at 84%); returns decreased in relation to the 1992-2000 means for all except Middle Barachois and Robinsons rivers. On the northwest coast, returns of small salmon to Lomond River, Torrent River, and Western Arm Brook in 2001 decreased both from 2000 (37, 36, and 62%, respectively) and the 1992-2000 means (36, 44, and 45%, respectively); declines were also noted for large salmon (13, 25, and 77%, respectively and 13, 7, and 45%, respectively). Sea survival for small salmon in 2001 decreased in Northeast Brook, Trepasssey, Conne River, and Western Arm Brook, remained similar to 2000 for Rocky River and Highlands River, while Campbellton River showed an increase. Smolt production in 2001 increased from 4 to 43% over 2000 for four of the five monitored stocks while Northeast Brook, Trepassey declined by almost 50%. When smolt production increases, returns of small salmon are expected to be higher, unless correspondingly there are decreases in marine survival that offset the increased numbers of smolts.

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