Stock status of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the Restigouche River, 1999 / G. Chaput … [et al.]. : Fs70-1/2000-001E-PDF

The status of the Atlantic salmon resource of the Restigouche River is assessed as two components: status of the Matapedia River, and the remaining watershed, referred to as Restigouche (NB). Aboriginal and recreational fisheries exploited Atlantic salmon in 1999. The commercial fishery has remained closed since 1985. Aboriginal fisheries occurred under agreements specifying gear, fishing time and season restrictions but the harvest data are incomplete. Recreational fisheries occurred under gear, season and individual daily and season catch limits. Angling catches in all the tributaries of the Restigouche (NB) declined during 1985 to 1999 with the strongest and most significant declines occurring for large salmon. Returns and escapement of large salmon to the Matapedia River in 1999 were estimated to have exceeded the conservation requirement for this river. For Restigouche (NB), the returns and escapement of large salmon were estimated to have been about 4500 large salmon, 50% of the defined conservation requirement. Small salmon catches were down in 1999 and the estimates of returns and spawners indicate a lower abundance than in 1998 and relative to the previous five years. Good fry densities were observed throughout the Kedgwick, Little Main, Upsalquitch and Main Restigouche rivers. Age 1 and 2 year old parr were also widely distributed throughout the Restigouche system. Sustained juvenile levels in the river during the 1990s suggest that returns should be similar to recent years if the smolt production levels and the sea survivals are sustained.

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