Abundant return of young salmon to Atlantic Canada rivers
Canada: As of the middle of this month, eastern Canada Atlantic salmon rivers have had some of the best wild Atlantic salmon returns in a very long time, according to the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
The federation reports that water conditions throughout much of Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Maine remain good and the salmon runs are strong. This is good news for anglers and salmon conservationists in all areas of Atlantic Canada.
It is the smaller salmon called grilse and have spent only one year in the ocean are the ones making the big difference. Counting facilities with few exceptions indicate much better runs than previous averages stretching all the way back to 1984. The concern is over the number of larger salmon, which is declining.
As an example, the Saint John River's cumulative count at the Mactaquac Dam was 1,241 grilse, compared to 485 last year, which is more than the 2000 to 2004 average of 744. Unfortunately, only 172 large salmon have returned so far, well below the 2000 to 2004 average of 449.
Only some of the hundreds of salmon rivers throughout eastern Canada and the New England states have counting facilities. The ASF remain cautious about declaring this a bumper crop year yet.
There are still no definite answers to what happens to the salmon in their marine environment. Scientists are seeking such answers, but thus far without success. Environmentalists point to the importance of healthy spawning and rearing habitats as the main factor influencing mortality. Also stopping commercial salmon fisheries, reduce in-river harvests and practice catch and release angling are believed to be instrumental in the current improvement.
