Terms of Reference

Stock Assessment of Atlantic Salmon in Newfoundland and Labrador

Regional Peer Review - Newfoundland and Labrador Region

February 28 - March 2, 2023
Virtual Meeting

Co-Chairs: Hannah Murphy and Harry Murray

Context

There are 15 Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) management areas, known as Salmon Fishing Areas (SFAs) 1-14B, in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Within these areas there are approximately 407 rivers with reported Atlantic Salmon populations characterized by differences in life history traits including freshwater residence time, age at first spawning, and the extent of ocean migrations.

The last full stock assessment of Atlantic Salmon in NL was completed for 2020 returns in March 2021 (DFO 2022). During March 2022, a stock status update was completed for Atlantic Salmon in NL.

Resource Management will use information from this Regional Peer Review Process to inform salmon management plans.

Objectives

• Assessment of Atlantic Salmon in NL (Salmon Fishing Areas 1-14B).

• Consider ecosystem status where the assessed Atlantic Salmon stocks occur based on an overview including relevant summaries of oceanographic conditions, biological community structure and trends, and pertinent knowledge of ecological interactions (e.g., predator, prey) and stressors (e.g., anthropogenic impacts).

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Research Document
• Proceedings

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Ecosystems Management, and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Parks Canada
• Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
• Indigenous groups
• Academia
• Other invited experts

References

• DFO. 2022. Stock Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Salmon in 2020. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2022/031.