Status of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) stocks within the Newfoundland and Labrador Region (Salmon Fishing Areas 1-14B), 2018.

The status of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Atlantic Salmon populations are assessed relative to two reference points, defined on the basis of egg depositions, which separate three stock status zones (critical, cautious and healthy) as per the Fishery Decision-Making Framework Incorporating the Precautionary Approach. These reference points, the Limit Reference Point (LRP) and Upper Stock Reference (USR) point are set at 100% and 150% of the previously defined river-specific conservation egg deposition rate, respectively. In 2018, the status of Atlantic Salmon stocks within the NL Region (Salmon Fishing Areas 1-14B) was assessed using data collected from twenty-two rivers using a combination of salmon counting facilities (fishways and counting fences) and in-river snorkel surveys. Atlantic Salmon smolts migrating to sea were counted on five rivers in Newfoundland. The status of each monitored river is described by the designated stock status zone, % LRP achieved, and both short and long term trends in total adult salmon returns, smolt production and marine survival rates. Estimates of retained salmon in the 2018 recreational fishery were down by 70% and 58% compared to the previous generation averages in Newfoundland and Labrador, respectively. Labrador Food Social and Ceremonial (FSC) and subsistence fisheries harvests were estimated at 12,843 salmon in 2018 (8,762 small, 4,081 large), 7% less than the previous generation average. Of the twenty-two rivers monitored in 2018, one river was not included in the assessment due to an incomplete salmon count. Of the twenty-one other monitored rivers, sixteen had information on total returns over the previous generation (short term comparisons) and fifteen had information over the previous three generations (long term comparisons). Compared to the previous generation, total returns in 2018 were higher on three of four monitored rivers in Labrador and lower on five of twelve monitored rivers in Newfoundland. Compared to the previous three generations, total returns in 2018 were lower on one of four monitored rivers in Labrador and on five of eleven monitored rivers in Newfoundland. Conservation egg requirements were below the river-specific LRP (in the critical zone) on ten assessed rivers, between the LRP and USR on three assessed rivers, and above the river-specific USR on eight assessed rivers in the NL Region. Marine smolt survival is considered to be a major factor limiting the abundance of Atlantic Salmon within the NL Region. Smolt to adult survival of the 2018 smolt class ranged from <1% for Conne River to 9.3% for Western Arm Brook. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]