Research Document - 2003/002
Status of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Stocks of Insular Newfoundland (SFAs 3-14A), 2002
By O'Connell, M.F., Dempson, J.B., Mullins, C.C., Reddin, D.G., Bourgeois, C.E., Porter, T.R., Cochran, N.M. and Caines, D.
Abstract
The commercial Atlantic salmon fishery moratorium, implemented in insular Newfoundland in 1992, entered its 11th year in 2002. Returns of small salmon to monitored rivers on the northeast and east coasts in 2002 were similar to or decreased from 2001 in Exploits River (19%), Campbellton River (8%), Middle Brook (42%), and Terra Nova River 36%) while the reverse was true for Gander River (5%) and Northwest River, Port Blandford 443%). With respect to the 1992-2001 means, all rivers showed a decrease (ranging from 22% for Exploits River to 51% for Middle Brook) except Northwest River, Port Blandford, which increased (11%). Returns of large salmon in 2002 were similar to or increased over 2001 ranging from 3% for Campbellton River to 128% for Northwest River, Port Blandford) for all rivers except Exploits and Terra Nova, which showed decreases of 34% and 18%. All rivers declined in relation to the 1992-2001 means (ranging from 9% for Northwest River, Port Blandford to 58% for Campbellton River). In southern Newfoundland, returns of small salmon in 2002 increased over 2001 in all monitored rivers (ranging from 16% for Northeast Brook, Trepassey to 71% for Conne River). The reverse occurred in relation to the 1992-2001 means decreases ranging from 12% for Rocky River to 43% for Northeast River, Placentia). Returns of large salmon in 2002 increased over 2001 in Rocky (30%) and Conne (19%) rivers but decreased in Northeast Brook, Trepassey (75%) and Northeast River, Placentia (38%). Returns were similar to or higher than the 1992-2001 means in Conne (-3%) and Rocky (15%) rivers but below average in Northeast Brook, Trepassey (84%) and Northeast River, Placentia (70%). In Bay St. George (SFA 13), returns of small salmon to monitored rivers in 2002 increased over 2001 in Highlands, Fischells, Flat Bay, and Harry's rivers (125, 67, 36, and 60%, respectively) and were similar to or lower than 2001 in Crabbes, Middle Barachois, and Robinsons rivers (-8, 39, and - 48%, respectively). Returns of large salmon in 2002 increased over 2001 in four out of the seven Bay St. George rivers (ranging from 15% for Flat Bay Brook to 116% for Harry's River) while decreases were noted for the remainder (range of 7% in Fischells River - 24% in Crabbes River). Declines in relation to the 1992-2001 means were noted for all rivers (ranging from 5% for Robinsons River to 71% for Fischells River) except Middle Barachois River and Harry's River where returns increased by 40% and 139%. On the northwest coast, returns of small salmon in 2002 increased over 2001 in all three monitored rivers (56 % for Lomond River, 80% for Torrent River, and 160 % for Western Arm Brook); returns were similar to or increased over the 1992-2001 means (-9, 5, and 50%, respectively). Returns of large salmon to Torrent River in 2002 were similar to those of 2001 (-2%) but decreased in Lomond River 12%); Western Arm Brook increased by 71%. Torrent River (-9%) and Western Arm Brook (-1%) remained similar in relation to the 1992-2001 means but Lomond River showed a decrease 24%). Sea survival for small salmon increased in Northeast Brook, Trepassey and Western Arm Brook while decreases were noted for Campbellton, Rocky, and Conne rivers. A record number of smolts was counted at Northeast Brook, Trepassey in 2002 while Rocky River showed a slight increase over 2001. When smolt production increases, returns of small salmon are expected to be higher in the following year unless there are decreases in marine survival that offset the increased numbers of smolts. Slight declines in smolt production from 2001 were noted for Campbellton River, Conne River, and Western Arm Brook.
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