NR-M-98-18E

NOVA SCOTIA SALMON FISHERY TO REMAIN CLOSED IN SOUTHWEST NOVA SCOTIA AND THE EASTERN SHORE

June 24, 1998

Halifax, N.S. -- Fisheries and Oceans Canada today announced that the recreational salmon seasons in Southwest Nova Scotia (Zone 21) and the Eastern Shore (Zone 20) will remain closed to angling. Seasons in these two zones did not open this year based on low forecast returns of salmon.

A decision on re-opening the fishery was waiting for the results of an in-season assessment of returns to June 15. That assessment has now been completed and it confirmed the earlier biological forecast that spawning requirements would not be achieved in South Shore and Eastern Shore rivers in 1998. Major rivers affected by the continuing closure include the Medway, LaHave, Musquodoboit and St. Marys.

Using counts of salmon at Morgan Falls on the LaHave River as an index, it is now estimated that returns will be significantly below that necessary to meet conservation requirements. To June 15, only 22 salmon have been counted at the trap in the Morgan Falls fishway. Based on 26 years of data, a minimum count of 144 fish by June 15 would have been required before changes to the current management plan would have been considered.

Because the in-season assessment confirms that a serious conservation concern still exists, current closures applicable to Aboriginal people will also remain in effect.

The Department will continue to count salmon at the Morgan Falls fishway and will re-evaluate the situation on June 30, 1998.

In 1997, salmon returns to many rivers in Atlantic Canada declined 40-50%. Poor survival in the marine phase of the salmon´s life cycle is responsible for the dramatic decline although no specific cause has yet been identified.

Despite the general downward trend in salmon returns, there continues to be bright spots in Nova Scotia. Rivers flowing into the Nortumberland Strait and Gulf of St. Lawrence (Zone 18) continue to have returns in excess of the numbers required for spawning. In fact, the Margaree River exceeded its conservation requirement by 355% in 1997. As a result, Aboriginal fisheries and recreational angling will be permitted throughout Zone 18 in 1998.

For information:

Greg Stevens
Maritimes Region
Fisheries and Oceans
Halifax, N.S.
(902) 426 - 6595

David Jennings
Maritimes Region
Fisheries and Oceans
Halifax, N.S.
(902) 426-3555