Research Document - 2006/028
Stock status summary for Atlantic salmon from Newfoundland and Labrador
By Dempson, J.B., M.F. O’Connell, D.G. Reddin, and N.M. Cochrane
Abstract
The status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) stocks in Newfoundland and Labrador is summarized focusing on longer term perspectives rather that the status of populations relative to events associated with the most recent year. Despite sporadic signs of improved salmon returns to some rivers in some years, for many populations total stock size is no higher now that it was prior to the closure of the Newfoundland commercial salmon fishery in 1992. Immediate improvements in spawning escapements during the first five years of the moratorium (1992-1996) to various Northeast and Northwest coast rivers did not result in any new productivity. Indeed, the number of recruits per spawner, used as an index of stock productivity, declined to levels where some populations were not replacing themselves. One region of particular concern is the South coast where the greatest declines in returns of both small and large salmon have occurred by comparison with their peak abundnaces. Trends in smolt production as well as freshwater and marine survival are also discussed.
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.
- Date modified: