Despite an increase in Atlantic salmon returns on several monitored rivers last year, DFO is still concerned for the future of the stock given the annual fluctuations in adult salmon returns from year-to-year and below-average smolt abundance.
A total of 19 rivers were assessed. In Labrador, one is in the critical zone, one in the cautious zone and two saw healthy runs. In Newfoundland, seven are critical stage, two are in the cautious zone and six are considered healthy.
Marine survival—not fishing—continues to be the major factor limiting the Atlantic salmon stock in Newfoundland and Labrador according to DFO.
Returns to Conne River were the second-lowest on record since 1987, so it is deep in the critical zone.
In summary, total returns of Atlantic salmon were above average on nine rivers, below average on five rivers and similar to the average on three rivers.
The information from the assessment will be used by the department in future stock management decisions.