Research Document 1998/153

Status of wild salmon (Salmo salar) stocks in the Maritime Provinces

By G. Chaput

Abstract

There are important geographic differences in the status of wild salmon populations in the Maritime provinces. Wild adult salmon abundance in the inner Bay of Fundy is critically low with juvenile abundance in these rivers currently at their lowest observed levels. The wild salmon returns to Mactaquac Dam in the Saint John River in 1997 were the lowest of record for both 1SW and MSW age groups. Total egg depositions in the Saint John River have been below conservation requirements since 1986 and in recent years have been below 50% of requirement. Abundance of wild adult salmon has also declined in the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia rivers many of which are acid-impacted. The abundance of juveniles in these rivers is declining or low. The southern Gulf of St. Lawrence rivers have fared better; relative abundance in these rivers is currently at medium levels but declining in some rivers in recent years. Juvenile abundance is currently described as medium to high. Sea survivals of three hatchery stocks show a declining trend over time with the lowest survivals observed in recent years. Several factors including environmental conditions and predators are implicated in the reduced abundance of Atlantic salmon in the Maritime rivers.

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