Research Document - 2006/026
Summary of status and abundance trends for eastern Canadian Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations
By Gibson, J., B. Hubley, G. Chaput, J.B. Dempson, F. Caron and P. Amiro
Abstract
The status of Atlantic salmon populations throughout the Maritimes, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador is summarized by comparison of abundance to the river-specific conservation spawner requirements and by estimating abundance trends. Given the wide scope of the analyses and the inter-regional differences in data collection, life history and management, some assumptions had to be made to ensure comparability. The conclusions from some rivers are sensitive to underlying assumptions, such as the length of the time period over which a trend is calculated, but general patterns among regions did emerge. Salmon populations in SFAs 20 to 23 (Bay of Fundy and Nova Scotia mainland Atlantic coast rivers) show evidence of strong declines and are well below their conservation spawner requirement. In contrast, populations in Newfoundland and Labrador have typically been either increasing, or show little recent change in abundance. More variability exists in rivers throughout Quebec and Gulf of St. Lawrence Rivers in the Maritime Provinces. In these regions, some populations show declines but remain above or near their spawner requirement, other populations show increases, and others show declines.
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