Science Advisory Report  2014/023

Stock Assessment of Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Salmon – 2013

Summary

Newfoundland and Labrador Region (SFAs 1-14B)

• Sixteen river populations of Atlantic Salmon were assessed in 2013. Adult salmon were enumerated at four rivers in Labrador and 12 rivers in Newfoundland. Five of the 12 assessed rivers in Newfoundland also enumerated juvenile salmon (smolt) migrating to sea.
• In 2013, Atlantic Salmon conservation egg requirements were achieved on two (50 %) of the four assessed rivers in Labrador and eight (67 %) of the 12 assessed rivers in Newfoundland.
• Marine survival appears to be the major factor limiting the abundance of Atlantic Salmon within the region. Inter-annual variation in the Newfoundland index of marine survival continues to fluctuate with survival in 2013 averaging 5.6% across all five monitored rivers. The overall index of marine survival for 2013 was below the previous five-year mean (2008‑12). One of the five monitored rivers (Conne River) in 2013 had survival rates greater than the previous five-year mean.
• Marine survival of smolts to adult small salmon returning to Sand Hill River in 2013 was 2 %. Marine mortality of smolts in Labrador includes both natural and fishing mortality at sea (i.e. Aboriginal and subsistence fisheries).
• Labrador Aboriginal and subsistence fisheries harvested approximately 14,204 salmon (36 t) in 2012, which was 7 % greater than the previous six-year mean (2006‑11) of 13,264 salmon (35 t).
• Genetic analysis of Labrador Atlantic Salmon Aboriginal and subsistence fisheries indicated that the majority of individuals harvested over the period 2006-2011 are of Labrador origin (85-98 %), and that the rate of fishery interception of southern stocks (e.g., Maritime, USA) is low.
• Recreational catch statistics for Newfoundland and Labrador have been highly variable since 2005. Estimates of retained salmon in 2012 (27,863) and total catch (61,251 salmon, retained + 33,388 released) were 7 % and 1 % greater, respectively, than the previous five-year mean (2007‑11).
• Salmon returning to monitored Labrador rivers are not adjusted for marine exploitation (i.e. Labrador Aboriginal and subsistence fisheries, West Greenland fishery). The abundance index of small salmon is variable and 2013 returns were 37 % below the previous six-year mean (2007‑12). There has been an increasing trend in the abundance of large salmon since 2010. A notable increase of large salmon in 2013 is well above (107 %) the previous six-year mean.
• The abundance index of small salmon returning to Newfoundland continues to fluctuate and, when adjusted to correct for marine exploitation, has generally remained lower than pre-moratorium levels (1984‑1991). Returns of small salmon in 2013 were 6 % lower than the previous five-year mean (2008‑12). Returns of large salmon in 2013 were 21 % greater than the previous five-year mean.
• The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) designated South Newfoundland (SFAs 9-12) Atlantic Salmon populations as threatened in 2010. In 2012, a Recovery Potential Assessment was conducted for South Newfoundland Atlantic Salmon. Recent genetic analysis suggests this region may be composed of two significant populations and future subdivision of this Designatable Unit (DU) may be warranted.
• The Licence Stub Return Program produced accurate estimates (± 5 %) of variables such as total catch, mean catch per angler, and total effort using all recreational angling data. For individual rivers, the accuracy of the stub program is highly dependent on the number of anglers returning stubs from specific rivers (± 12 % to 48 %).

This Science Advisory Report is from the December 3‑4, 2013, Update on the Status of Atlantic Salmon in Newfoundland & Labrador. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

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