Terms of Reference

Stock Status Update of Atlantic Salmon in Salmon Fishing Areas (SFAs) 19-21 and 23

Regional Science Response Process – Maritimes Region

March 8, 2016
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Chairperson: Lottie Bennett

Context

Science advice on the status of salmon in Salmon Fishing Areas (SFA) 19-21 and 23 has been requested by the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch. The advice will be used to inform Aboriginal groups, the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, recreational and interested stakeholders of the status of salmon resources in the DFO Maritimes Region, in advance of developing harvest agreements and recreational fishing plans for 2016. During Recovery Potential Assessments of Atlantic Salmon Designatable Units (DUs) within the DFP Maritimes Region, stock status and trends were assessed in 2013 for the Southern Upland DU (Bowlby et al., 2013), and in 2014 for the Outer Bay of Fundy DU (Jones et al., 2014) and Eastern Cape Breton DU (Levy et al., 2014). A stock status update for SFAs 19-21 and 23 was completed in 2015 (DFO, 2015).

Objectives

Assess the status of Atlantic Salmon stocks in Salmon Fishing Areas (SFAs) 19, 20, 21 and 23 up to the end of 2015 using the following indicators:

• adult abundance relative to reference levels;
• juveniles densities; and
• smolt production estimates.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Participants

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Maritimes Science
• DFO Maritimes Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
• Aboriginal Organizations/Communities

References

Bowlby, H.D., Gibson, A.J.F., and Levy, A. 2013. Recovery Potential Assessment for Southern Upland Atlantic Salmon: Status, Past and Present Abundance, Life History and Trends. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2013/005. v + 72 p.

DFO. 2015. Status of Atlantic Salmon in Salmon Fishing Areas (SFAs) 19-21 and 23. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2015/021.

Jones, R.A., Anderson, L., and Clarke, C.N. 2014. Assessment of the Recovery Potential for the Outer Bay of Fundy Population of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar): Status, Trends, Distribution, Life History Characteristics and Recovery Targets. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/008. vi + 94 p.

Levy, A.L., and Gibson, A.J.F. 2014. Recovery Potential Assessment for Eastern Cape Breton Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar): Status, Past and Present Abundance, Life History, and Trends. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2014/099. v + 72 p.