Chapter 17. Opening Up New Habitat: Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Enhancement in Newfoundland

  1. Derek Mills MSc, PhD, FIFM, FLS
  1. C.C. Mullms1,
  2. C.E. Bourgeois2,
  3. T.R. Porter2

Published Online: 20 NOV 2007

DOI: 10.1002/9780470995495.ch17

Book Title

Salmon at the Edge

Salmon at the Edge

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mullms, C.C., Bourgeois, C.E. and Porter, T.R. (2007) Opening Up New Habitat: Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Enhancement in Newfoundland, in Salmon at the Edge (ed D. Mills), Blackwell Science Ltd., Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9780470995495.ch17

Editor Information

  1. Atlantic Salmon Trust

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Joseph Roberts Smallwood Building, 1 Regent Square, Corner Brook, Newfoundland, A2H 7K6, Canada

  2. 2

    Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, PO Box 5667, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1C5X1, Canada

Publication History

  1. Published Online: 20 NOV 2007
  2. Published Print: 7 JUL 2003

ISBN Information

Print ISBN: 9780632064571

Online ISBN: 9780470995495

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Keywords:

  • atlantic salmon;
  • newfoundland rivers;
  • commercial salmon fishing;
  • recreational salmon fishery catches;
  • great rattling brook

Summary

Abstract:

This chapter contains sections titled:

  • Many Newfoundland rivers are characterized by natural obstructions that are impassable to upstream migrating Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Vast amounts of excellent juvenile Atlantic salmon spawning and rearing habitat occur upstream of the obstructions in many of these watersheds. A programme to expand the range of Atlantic salmon was initiated in the mid-1900s. Fishways were constructed on some rivers and colonization of Atlantic salmon occurred using several techniques: natural straying, adult transfer or stocking with unfed fry. The relative success of enhancement on four rivers (Exploits River, Rocky River, Terra Nova and Torrent River) representing the three colonization methods is evaluated. In all cases, Atlantic salmon successfully colonized the new habitat. All stocks improved, with the largest growth increments being achieved within the first three generations. Differences in the rate of growth of the populations using the different enhancement methods are examined. In contrast to enhanced stocks, selected other Newfoundland rivers showed no change in returns of small salmon (< 63 cm) and returns of large salmon (> 63 cm) declined over the same period. Compared to unenhanced stocks, stocking in new habitat contributed to improved sport fishery catches. The results are discussed with respect to habitat, species diversity/interactions, the 1992 moratorium on commercial salmon fishing and the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy.

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