Research Document 1997/42
Status of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Stocks of the Newfoundland Region, 1996
By M.F. O'Connell, J.B. Dempson, C. Mullins, D.G. Reddin, N.M. Cochrane, and D. Caines
Abstract
The moratorium on the commercial Atlantic salmon fishery in insular Newfoundland entered its fifth year in 1996. There were further reductions in commercial quotas in Labrador in 1996 and the season opened on June 20 compared to June 5 in 1995. The moratorium placed on the Northern Cod Fishery in 1992, which should have eliminated by-catch of Atlantic salmon in cod fishing gear in SFAs 1-9, continued in 1996. The moratorium on cod fishing introduced in SFAs 10-14A in August 1993 also continued in 1996. Of the three SFAs in Labrador, the commercial fishery quota was caught only in SFA 2 in 1996. Labrador stocks, particularly the large salmon component, continued to be low compared to the 1970s. Management measures in recent years however appear to have dramatically improved spawning escapements, with the potential for increased returns in subsequent years. Seventy-two rivers throughout insular Newfoundland were closed to angling in mid- to late-August in 1996 due to low water levels and high water temperatures. These closures are not expected to have had a significant impact on catches since they occurred at a time of year when normally most angling activity is drawing to a close. Specific management measures were in effect for several rivers which should have restricted catch and effort. Total recreational catch (retained plus released fish) and effort in 1996 in insular Newfoundland were the highest recorded since 1974. Catch per unit of effort in 1996 increased over 1995 and the 1984-89, 1986-91, and 1992-95 means. Counts of small and large salmon and proportions of large salmon at counting facilities on the western side of the Northern Peninsula and along the northeast and east coasts during the moratorium years 1992-96 increased significantly over pre-moratorium years 1984-91. However, several rivers along the sough coast and in Bay St. George did not show an overall improvement over pre-moratorium years. An analysis of trends in estimated total population sizes of small salmon for Gander River (SFA 4), Middle Brook (SFA 5), Biscay Bay River (SFA 9), Humber River (SFA 13), and Western Arm Brook (SFA 14A) for the period 1974-96, suggest overall total population sizes for insular Newfoundland in 1992-96 were lo relative to pre-moratorium years. Adults returning in 1997 with a three-year-old smolt age will be the progeny of spawners in 1992, the first year of the moratorium. For northern and eastern rivers where greatly increased spawning escapements were recorded in 1992, there should be increases in total returns in 1997, exceeding levels for 1992-96. The magnitude of the increases will depend on the proportion of three-year-old smolts (many northern and eastern rivers are characterized by four-year-old smolts) and natural survival. For southern and southwestern rivers (Bay St. George in particular) where 1992 spawning escapements did not increase over pre-moratorium levels, it is not anticipated that adult returns in 1997 will increase, should survival not improve. These rivers typically have three-year-old smolts.
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