The salmon stock assessments on rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador are out, and while the news is good for Labrador, not so for the island.

In 2022, there were below-average returns on the majority of the rivers monitored on the island with nine of the 15 rivers assessed being in the critical zone, one in the cautious zone and five considered to be in a healthy state.

Of the four assessed rivers in Labrador, one was at the critical stage, one in the cautious zone and two at the healthy stage.

Anglers kept about 17,000 fish last year and released about 21,000. Roughly 10 per cent of salmon which are released will die.

Stocks on the south coast, including the Conne River, are showing severe declines. That’s where most of the aquaculture in Newfoundland is being done but research on a possible connection is ongoing.

Marine survival is the main reason for the drop in numbers in Newfoundland. That means young fish which go to sea are returning in lower numbers.