1. 1 Mainland Gulf Nova Scotia Atlantic Salmon Assessment and Research for 2011 Angling catches and effort based on provincial license stub returns Juvenile surveys Cindy Breau Oceans and Science Branch Gulf Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada P.O. Box 5030 Moncton, NB, E1C 9B6 506 851 6238 Cindy.breau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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3. 3 Atlantic Salmon Angling Statistics

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8. 8 Juvenile surveys in 2011 River Philip Davidson’s Brook

9. 9 Juvenile surveys in the Wallace R.

10. 10 Atlantic Salmon Angling Statistics

11. 11 Atlantic Salmon Angling Statistics

12. 12 Juvenile survey –East River (Pictou) West R. (Pic.): fry = 7.4, parr = 24.3 / 100 m²

13. 13 Juvenile survey –River John

14. 14 Atlantic Salmon Angling Statistics

15. 15 Juvenile survey –Barney’s River

16. 16 Atlantic Salmon Angling Statistics

17. 17 Juvenile surveys in West River Ant.

18. 18 Atlantic Salmon Angling Statistics

19. 19 Objective: Estimate the smolt run in R. Philip (link to adults and juveniles) Determine the fish community in R. Philip Smolt wheel installed in April 2011 Collaborative project with the following partners: - Cumberland County River Enhancement Association - Nova Scotia Salmon Association - Atlantic salmon Federation Smolt migration study - 2011

20. 20 Smolt program on River Philip – spring 2011 smolts juveniles 14 fish species counted rainbow smelts an important food source for adult salmon leaving the river

21. 21 Smolt catches in spring 2011 523 smolts captured 396 of these marked and released Many high water days

22. 22 Estimate of the smolt migration for 2011 Estimate: 23,960 smolt (Confid. Interv.: 12,840 – 44,570) 95% confidence that 12,840 migrated from R. Philip 2.5 smolts per 100 m 2

23. 23 Conclusions Angling effort in 201 in mainland portion of Gulf Nova Scotia was 5,959 rod days 37% of SFA 18 (Gulf Nova Scotia) highest effort since 1996 Grilse catch (kept and released) in 2011 was 991 fish 58% of SFA 18 79% released Highest catch since 1985 (857 grisle in 1996) Salmon released in 2011 was 2,547 fish 47% of SFA 18 highest value since 1985 (2,117 salmon in 1996) Most important rivers for angling effort River Philip (1,547), West River (Ant.) (951), East River (Pic.) (911) These three rivers represent 57% of effort in Gulf mainland rivers Most important salmon catch West River (Ant.) (435), East River (Pic.) (275), River Philip (266) These three rivers represent 38% of salmon releases in Gulf mainland rivers Most important grilse catch River Philip (371), West River (Ant.) (207), East River (Pic.) (81) These three rivers represent 67% of grilse catch in Gulf mainland rivers

24. 24 Regional Advisory Process on Atlantic salmon in the Gulf Region Meeting during March 12 – 16, 2012 One research document on Atlantic salmon in GNS Peer-reviewed process

25. 25 Striped bass Science assessment supports the view of the public that there are many fish Achieved the recovery objective of 31,200 fish in 5 of 6 years (2011 preliminary estimates) Still 1 spawning location (Miramichi River) and missing the larger fish (5yr and older) COSEWIC reviewing the status of striped bass for the 2 nd time Recommendation scheduled for November 2012