Research Document - 2004/057
Status of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, in Conne River, SFA 11, Newfoundland, 2003
By Dempson, J. B., Furey, G, Bloom, M.
Abstract
Results obtained from a fish counting fence provide the basis for the assessment of the Conne River Atlantic salmon stock. Total returns to home waters (river and estuary) ranged from a high of about 10000 salmon (small and large size components) in 1987, to a low of 1643 in 2001. The lowest returns of small salmon occurred in 2001 whereas 2003 marked the worst year to date for returns of large salmon. Overall, abundance of small and large salmon has declined dramatically over time. Conservation spawning requirements have been met or exceeded in 13 of 18 years (72.2%) but only once in each of the past three years. Egg-to-smolt (freshwater) survival has varied by a factor of 5, similar to that observed for smolt-to-adult 1SW (marine) survival. Marine survival has varied from a high of 10.0% (adult returns in 1988) to a low of 2.2% (adult returns in 2003), but in the past three years has averaged less than 3%. Biological characteristic information, aquaculture production statistics, and surveys of escaped farmed fish recorded at Conne River are updated in this report through to and including results from 2003.
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