Report of the Working Group on North Atlantic Salmon (WGNAS)

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

ICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

ICES CM 2018/ACOM:21

4–13 April 2018

Woods Hole, MA, USA

International Council for the Exploration of the Sea Conseil International pour l’Exploration de la Mer

H. C. Andersens Boulevard 44–46 DK-1553 Copenhagen V Denmark Telephone (+45) 33 38 67 00 Telefax (+45) 33 93 42 15 www.ices.dk [email protected]

Recommended format for purposes of citation:

ICES. 2018. Report of the Working Group on North Atlantic Salmon (WGNAS), 4–13 April 2018, Woods Hole, MA, USA. ICES CM 2018/ACOM:21. 386 pp.

For permission to reproduce material from this publication, please apply to the Gen- eral Secretary.

The document is a report of an Expert Group under the auspices of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and does not necessarily represent the views of the Council.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | i

Contents

Executive summary ...... 1

1 Introduction ...... 4 1.1 Main tasks ...... 4 1.2 Participants ...... 6 1.3 Management framework for salmon in the North Atlantic ...... 7 1.4 Management objectives ...... 7 1.5 Reference points and application of precaution ...... 8

2 Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic area ...... 10 2.1 Catches of North Atlantic salmon ...... 10 2.1.1 Nominal catches of salmon ...... 10 2.1.2 Catch and release ...... 11 2.1.3 Unreported catches ...... 12 2.2 Farming and sea ranching of Atlantic salmon ...... 13 2.2.1 Production of farmed Atlantic salmon ...... 13 2.2.2 Harvest of ranched Atlantic salmon ...... 13 2.3 NASCO has asked ICES to report on significant, new or emerging threats to, or opportunities for, salmon conservation and management ...... 14 2.3.1 Diseases and parasites ...... 14 2.3.2 Pink salmon captures in 2017 in the North Atlantic area ...... 17 2.3.3 Interactions between striped bass and Atlantic salmon in eastern Canada ...... 20 2.3.4 Tracking and acoustic tagging studies in Canada ...... 23 2.3.5 Progress with implementing the Quality Norm for Norwegian salmon populations ...... 24 2.3.6 The impact of capture and tagging on estimates of Atlantic salmon adult return rates ...... 25 2.3.7 New opportunities for sampling salmon at sea ...... 26 2.3.8 Update on poor juvenile recruitment in UK (England & Wales) ...... 28 2.3.9 Progress in stock assessment models; embedding Atlantic salmon stock assessment within an integrated Bayesian life cycle modelling framework ...... 28 2.3.10 A conceptual framework for evaluating marine mortality in Atlantic salmon ...... 29 2.3.11 Update on the Workshop on Current Status of Knowledge, Data, and Research Efforts on Atlantic Salmon at Greenland ...... 31 2.3.12 Progress with establishing scale archive/ biochronology repositories ...... 33

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2.4 NASCO has asked ICES to provide a review of examples of successes and failures in wild salmon restoration and rehabilitation and develop a classification of activities which could be recommended under various conditions or threats to the persistence of populations ...... 34 2.4.1 Report of WGERAAS ...... 34 2.4.2 Establishment of a captive breeding Programme in Scotia- Fundy region of Canada ...... 36 2.5 Reports from ICES expert group relevant to North Atlantic salmon ...... 36 2.5.1 WGRECORDS ...... 36 2.6 ICES and the International Year of the Salmon ...... 37 2.7 NASCO has asked ICES to provide a compilation of tag releases by country in 2017 ...... 38 2.8 NASCO has asked ICES to identify relevant data deficiencies, monitoring needs and research requirements ...... 38

3 Northeast Atlantic Commission area ...... 71 3.1 NASCO has requested ICES to describe the key events of the 2017 fisheries ...... 71 3.1.1 Fishing at Faroes ...... 71 3.1.2 Key events in NEAC homewater fisheries ...... 71 3.1.3 Gear and effort ...... 71 3.1.4 Catches ...... 72 3.1.5 Catch per unit of effort ...... 72 3.1.6 Age composition of catches ...... 73 3.1.7 Farmed and ranched salmon in catches ...... 74 3.1.8 National origin of catches ...... 74 3.1.9 Exploitation indices for NEAC stocks ...... 75 3.2 Management objectives and reference points ...... 75 3.2.1 NEAC conservation limits ...... 75 3.2.2 Progress with setting river-specific conservation limits ...... 76 3.3 Status of stocks ...... 76 3.3.1 The NEAC PFA run-reconstruction model ...... 76 3.3.2 Changes to national input data for the NEAC PFA run- reconstruction model ...... 77 3.3.3 Changes to the NEAC PFA run-reconstruction model ...... 77 3.3.4 Description of national stocks and NEAC stock complexes as derived from the NEAC PFA run-reconstruction model ...... 78 3.3.5 Compliance with river-specific conservation limits ...... 80 3.3.6 Marine survival (return rates) for NEAC stocks ...... 81 3.4 PFA Forecasts ...... 83 3.4.1 Description of the forecast model ...... 83 3.4.2 Results of the NEAC stock complex Bayesian forecast models ...... 84 3.4.3 Results of the NEAC country level Bayesian forecast models and probabilities of PFAs attaining SERs ...... 84

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3.5 Catch options or alternative management advice ...... 86 3.5.1 Catch advice for Faroes ...... 86 3.5.2 Relevant factors to be considered in management ...... 88 3.6 Framework of Indicators ...... 89 3.6.1 Background ...... 89 3.6.2 Progress in 2018...... 89 3.6.3 Next steps ...... 90

4 North American commission ...... 167 4.1 NASCO has requested ICES to describe the key events of the 2017 fisheries ...... 167 4.1.1 Key events of the 2017 fisheries ...... 167 4.1.2 Gear and effort ...... 167 4.1.3 Catches in 2017 ...... 169 4.1.4 Harvest of North American salmon, expressed as 2SW salmon equivalents ...... 171 4.1.5 Origin and composition of catches ...... 172 4.1.6 Exploitation rates ...... 173 4.2 Management objectives and reference points ...... 174 4.3 Status of stocks ...... 175 4.3.1 Smolt abundance ...... 175 4.3.2 Estimates of total adult abundance ...... 175 4.3.3 Estimates of spawning escapements ...... 177 4.3.4 Egg depositions in 2017 ...... 179 4.3.5 Marine survival (return rates) ...... 179 4.3.6 Pre-fisheries abundance ...... 180 4.3.7 Summary on status of stocks ...... 181 4.4 NASCO has asked ICES to provide catch options or alternative management advice for 2018–2021 with an assessment of risks relative to the objective of exceeding stock conservation limits, or predefined NASCO Management Objectives, and advise on the implications of these options for stock rebuilding ...... 183 4.4.1 Relevant factors to be considered in management ...... 184 4.4.2 Updated forecast of 2SW maturing fish for 2018 ...... 184 4.4.3 Pre-fishery abundance of 2SW salmon for 2018–2020 ...... 184 4.4.4 Comparison with previous assessment and advice ...... 186 4.5 NASCO has asked ICES to update the Framework of Indicators used to identify any significant change in the previously provided multi-annual management advice ...... 187

5 Atlantic salmon in the West Greenland Commission ...... 252 5.1 NASCO has requested ICES to describe the key events of the 2017 fishery ...... 252 5.1.1 Catch and effort in 2017 ...... 252 5.1.2 Results of phone surveys ...... 254 5.1.3 Exploitation ...... 255 5.2 International sampling programme ...... 256

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5.2.1 Biological characteristics of the catches ...... 257 5.2.2 Continent of origin of catches at West Greenland ...... 257 5.2.3 Region of origin of catches at West Greenland ...... 258 5.3 NASCO has requested ICES to describe the status of the stocks ...... 259 5.3.1 North American stock complex ...... 259 5.3.2 MSW Southern European stock complex ...... 259 5.4 NASCO has requested ICES to provide catch options or alternative management advice for 2018–2020 with an assessment of risk relative to the objective of exceeding stock conservation limits, or predefined NASCO Management Objectives, and advise on the implications of these options for stock rebuilding ...... 259 5.4.1 Catch options for West Greenland ...... 260 5.5 Relevant factors to be considered in management ...... 260 5.6 Pre-fishery abundance forecasts 2018, 2019, 2020 ...... 261 5.6.1 North American stock complex ...... 261 5.6.2 Southern NEAC MSW stock complex ...... 261 5.7 Comparison with previous assessment and advice ...... 261 5.8 Critical examination of changes to the models used to provide catch options ...... 262 5.8.1 Run-reconstruction models ...... 262 5.8.2 Forecast models for pre-fishery abundance of 2SW salmon ...... 262 5.8.3 Development and risk assessment of catch options ...... 262 5.8.4 Critical evaluation ...... 262 5.9 NASCO has requested ICES to update the Framework of Indicators used to identify any significant change in the previously provided multiannual management advice ...... 263 5.9.1 Update of the Framework of Indicators ...... 263

Annex 1: List of Working Papers submitted to WGNAS 2018 ...... 321

Annex 2: References cited ...... 323

Annex 3: Participants list ...... 329

Annex 4: Reported catch of salmon in numbers and weight (tonnes round fresh weight) by sea age class. Catches reported for 2017 may be provisional. Methods used for estimating age composition given in footnote ...... 334

Annex 5: WGNAS responses to the generic ToRs for Regional and Species Working Groups...... 355

Annex 6: WGNAS Stock Annex for Atlantic Salmon ...... 358

Annex 7: Glossary of acronyms used in this report ...... 359

Annex 8: NASCO has requested ICES to identify relevant data deficiencies, monitoring needs and research requirements ...... 365

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Annex 9: Response of WGNAS 2018 to Technical Minutes of the Review Group ...... 367

Annex 10: Technical minutes from the Review Group on North Sea Salmon ...... 375

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Executive summary

Working Group on North Atlantic Salmon [WGNAS], Woods Hole, MA, USA, 04–13 April 2018. Chair: Martha Robertson (Canada). Number of meeting participants: 27 in person participants representing twelve countries from North America (NAC) and the Northeast Atlantic (NEAC): Canada, USA, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Ireland, UK (England & Wales), UK (Scotland), UK (North- ern Ireland), and France. Information was also provided by correspondence or by We- bEx link from Greenland, Russia, Faroes, Denmark, and Spain for use by the Working Group. WGNAS met to consider questions posed to ICES by the North Atlantic Salmon Con- servation Organisation (NASCO) and also generic questions for regional and species Working Groups posed by ICES. The terms of reference were addressed by reviewing working documents prepared prior to the meeting as well as development of analyses, documents and text during the meeting. The report is presented in five sections, structured to the terms of reference. Sections include: 1 ) Introduction; 2 ) Catches, farming and significant developments, threats and opportunities; 3 ) The status of stocks in the Northeast Atlantic Commission area; 4 ) The status of stocks in the North American commission area; and 5 ) The status of stocks in the Atlantic salmon in the Greenland commission area.

In summary of the findings of the Working group on North Atlantic Salmon: • In the North Atlantic, exploitation rates on Atlantic salmon continue to be among the lowest in the time-series. • Nominal catch in 2017 was 1182 t. This was less than the previous year (1208 t in 2016) and 6% and 16% less than the previous five and ten year mean values, respectively. • The provisional estimate of farmed Atlantic salmon production in the North Atlantic area for 2017 is 1624 kt; production of farmed Atlantic salmon in this area has been over one million tonnes since 2009 and in 2017 provisional worldwide production of 2310 kt is 1900 times the catch of wild Atlantic salmon. • The Working Group reported on a range of new findings regarding salmon assessment and management: including tracking programmes of Atlantic salmon in the Northwest Atlantic, interactions between striped bass and At- lantic salmon in eastern Canada, impact of capture and tagging on Atlantic salmon return rates, update on bycatch of salmon in pelagic fisheries, advances in genetic stock identification for mixed-stock fisheries and progress in life cycle modelling to further opportunities for understanding salmon dynamics.

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• A number of threats were discussed including disease and parasite events in wild salmon in Ireland (RVS), Norway (salmon fluke), Russia (salmon fluke and UDN) and Sweden (undetermined); introgression of farmed salmon in wild salmon populations that affect phenotype; and sea lice monitoring in Norway. • The Working Group noted the dramatic increase, beyond previously recorded levels, in the capture of pink salmon throughout the North Atlantic area in 2017. • Specific for the NEAC area, exploitation rates on NEAC stocks continue to decline and catches in 2017 were 1039 t, among the lowest in the time-series. Northern NEAC stock complexes, prior to the commencement of distant- water fisheries in were considered to be at full reproductive capacity. The southern NEAC maturing 1SW stock complex however, was considered to be suffering reduced reproductive capacity and the non-maturing 1SW stock complex to be at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity. • Catch advice for the Faroes fishery was developed for the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 fishing seasons. In the Northern NEAC stock complex, over the forecast period, the non-maturing 1SW component has a high probability (≥95%) of achieving its SERs for TACs at Faroes solely for a catch option of ≤20 t in the 2018/2019 season. The maturing 1SW component in the Northern NEAC stock complex and both Southern NEAC stock complex components each have less than 95% probability of achieving their SERs with any TAC option in any of the forecast seasons. Therefore, there are no catch options that ensure a greater than 95% probability of each stock complex achieving its SER. • At the individual country level, the probabilities of the non-maturing 1SW stocks (the main contributor to the catch) achieving their SERs in 2018/2019 varies between 16% and 99% with a zero TAC; these probabilities decrease for increasing TAC options at Faroes and for subsequent seasons. There are therefore, no TAC options at which all management units would have a greater than 95% probability of achieving their SERs. • Specific for the NAC area, the 2017 provisional harvest in Canada was 111.8 t; overall, harvests remain very low relative to pre-1990 values (>1000 t). The majority of harvest fisheries on NAC stocks were directed toward small salmon. In recreational fisheries, large salmon could only be retained in 22 rivers in Québec. • In 2017, the midpoints of the estimates of returns to rivers for all regions of NAC except Labrador, are suffering reduced reproductive capacity. The 5th percentile of the estimated returns to Labrador was below CL and for this region the stock is at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity. • The continued low abundance of salmon stocks across North America, despite significant fishery reductions, strengthens the conclusions that factors acting on survival in the first and second years at sea, at both local and broad ocean scales are constraining abundance of Atlantic salmon. • In Greenland a total catch of 28.0 t was reported for 2017 compared to 27.1 t in 2016. North American origin salmon comprised 74.4% of the sampled catch.

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• There are no mixed-stock fishery options at West Greenland in 2018, 2019 and 2020 that would be consistent with a 75% probability or greater of simultaneously meeting the management objectives for the seven stock complexes. • The two Indicator Frameworks previously developed by the Working Group to be used to check on the status of NAC and NEAC stocks in the interim years of a multiannual catch advice cycle were updated and are available for use in any new multiyear agreements for the Greenland and Faroes fisheries, respectively.

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1 Introduction

1.1 Main tasks At its 2017 Statutory Meeting, ICES resolved (C. Res. 2017/2/ACOM21) that the Work- ing Group on North Atlantic Salmon [WGNAS] (chaired by Martha Robertson, Can- ada) will meet at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA, 4–13 April 2018 to address: (a) relevant points in the Generic ToRs for Regional and Species Working Groups for each salmon stock complex; and (b) questions posed to ICES by the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO). The terms of reference were met. The questions posed in the Generic ToRs for Regional and Species Working Groups for each salmon stock complex overlap substantially with the questions posed by NASCO. As such, responses to the former were restricted to a limited subset of the questions; brief responses are provided at Annex 5. The sections of the report which provide the answers to the questions posed by NASCO, are identified below:

QUESTION SECTION

1 With respect to Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic area: Section 2 1.1 provide an overview of salmon catches and landings by country, 2.1, 2.2 and including unreported catches and catch and release, and production Annex 4 of farmed and ranched Atlantic salmon in 20171; 1.2 report on significant new or emerging threats to, or opportunities for, 2.3 salmon conservation and management2; 1.3 provide a review of examples of successes and failures in wild 2.4 salmon restoration and rehabilitation and develop a classification of activities which could be recommended under various conditions or threats to the persistence of populations3; 1.4 provide a compilation of tag releases by country in 2017; and 2.7 1.5 identify relevant data deficiencies, monitoring needs and research 2.8 and requirements. Annex 8 2 With respect to Atlantic salmon in the Northeast Atlantic Section 3 Commission area: 2.1 describe the key events of the 2017 fisheries5; 3.1 2.2 review and report on the development of age-specific stock 3.2 conservation limits including updating the time-series of the number of river stocks with established CL's by jurisdiction; 2.3 describe the status of the stocks including updating the time-series of 3.3 trends in the number of river stocks meeting CL's by jurisdiction; 2.4 provide catch options or alternative management advice for the 3.5 2018/2019–2020/2021 fishing seasons, with an assessment of risks relative to the objective of exceeding stock conservation limits, or predefined NASCO Management Objectives, and advise on the implications of these options for stock rebuilding5 2.5 update the Framework of Indicators used to identify any significant 3.6 and 5.9 change in the previously provided multi-annual management advice 3 With respect to Atlantic salmon in the North American Section 4 Commission area: 3.1 describe the key events of the 2017 fisheries (including the fishery at 4.1 St Pierre and Miquelon)4

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QUESTION SECTION 3.2 update age-specific stock conservation limits based on new 4.2 information as available including updating the time-series of the number of river stocks with established CL's by jurisdiction; 3.3 describe the status of the stocks including updating the time-series of 4.3 trends in the number of river stocks meeting CL's by jurisdiction; 3.4 provide catch options or alternative management advice for 2018– 4.4 2021 with an assessment of risks relative to the objective of exceeding stock conservation limits, or predefined NASCO Management Objectives, and advise on the implications of these options for stock rebuilding5 3.5 update the Framework of Indicators used to identify any significant 5.9 change in the previously provided multi-annual management advice 4 With respect to Atlantic salmon in the West Greenland Section 5 Commission area: 4.1 describe the key events of the 2017 fisheries4; 5.1 4.2 describe the status of the stocks6; 5.3 4.3 provide catch options or alternative management advice for 2018– 5.4 2020 with an assessment of risk relative to the objective of exceeding stock conservation limits, or predefined NASCO Management Objectives, and advise on the implications of these options for stock rebuilding5 4.4 update the Framework of Indicators used to identify any significant 5.9 change in the previously provided multi-annual management advice Notes: 1. With regard to question 1.1, for the estimates of unreported catch the information provided should, where possible, indicate the location of the unreported catch in the following categories: in-river; estuarine; and coastal. Numbers of salmon caught and released in recreational fisheries should be provided. 2. With regard to question 1.2, ICES is requested to include reports on any significant advances in understanding of the biology of Atlantic salmon that is pertinent to NASCO, including information on any new research into the migration and distribution of salmon at sea and the potential implications of climate change for salmon management. 3. with respect to question 1.3, NASCO is aware that the WGERAAS final report is being prepared and will be submitted to ICES in 2017. 4. In the responses to questions 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1, ICES is asked to provide details of catch, gear, effort, composition and origin of the catch and rates of exploitation. For homewater fisheries, the information provided should indicate the location of the catch in the following categories: in-river; estuarine; and coastal. Information on any other sources of fishing mortality for salmon is also requested. For 4.1 ICES should review the results of the recent phone surveys and advise on the appropriateness for incorporating resulting estimates of unreported catch into the assessment process. 5. In response to questions 2.4, 3.4 and 4.3, provide a detailed explanation and critical examination of any changes to the models used to provide catch advice and report on any developments in relation to incorporating environmental variables in these models. 6. In response to question 4.2, ICES is requested to provide a brief summary of the status of North American and Northeast Atlantic salmon stocks. The detailed information on the status of these stocks should be provided in response to questions 2.3 and 3.3.

In response to the Terms of Reference, the Working Group considered 36 Working Documents submitted by participants (Annex 1); other references cited in the Report are given in Annex 2. Information provided by correspondence by Working Group members unable to attend the meeting is included in the list of working documents. A full address list for the meeting participants is provided in Annex 3. A complete list of acronyms used within this document is provided in Annex 7.

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1.2 Participants

Member Country

Ahlbeck-Bergendahl, I. Sweden April, J. Canada Bardarson, H. Iceland Bolstad, G. Norway Bradbury, I. Camada Chaput, G. Canada Crozier, W. Scotland, UK Ensing, D. UK (Northern Ireland) Erkinaro, J. Finland Fiske, P. Norway Gillson, J., UK (England & Wales) Gudbergsson, G. Iceland Hanson, N. Scotland, UK Kelly, N. Canada Levy, A. Canada Maxwell, H. Ireland Meerburg, D. Canada Millane, M. Ireland Nygaard, R. Greenland (Video link) Ó Maoiléidigh, N. Ireland Ounsley, J. Scotland, UK Rivot, E. France Robertson, M. Canada Russell, I. UK (England & Wales) Sheehan, T. United States Smith, G. Scotland, UK Utne, K.R. Norway

Wennevik, V. Norway

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1.3 Management framework for salmon in the North Atlantic The advice generated by ICES in response to the Terms of Reference posed by the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO), is pursuant to NASCO’s role in international management of salmon. NASCO was set up in 1984 by international convention (the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean), with a responsibility for the conservation, restoration, enhancement, and rational management of wild salmon in the North Atlantic. While sovereign states retain their role in the regulation of salmon fisheries for salmon originating in their own rivers, distant water salmon fisheries, such as those at Greenland and Faroes, which take salmon originating in rivers of another Party are regulated by NASCO under the terms of the Convention. NASCO now has six Parties that are signatories to the Convention, including the EU which represents its Member States. NASCO discharges these responsibilities via three Commission areas shown below:

1.4 Management objectives NASCO has identified the primary management objective of that organisation as: “To contribute through consultation and cooperation to the conservation, restoration, enhancement and rational management of salmon stocks taking into account the best scientific advice available”. NASCO further stated that “the Agreement on the Adoption of a Precautionary Approach states that an objective for the management of salmon fisheries is to provide the diversity and abundance of salmon stocks” and NASCO’s Standing Committee on the Precautionary Approach interpreted this as being “to maintain both the productive capacity and diversity of salmon stocks” (NASCO, 1998). NASCO’s Action Plan for Application of the Precautionary Approach (NASCO, 1999) provides interpretation of how this is to be achieved, as follows:

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• “Management measures should be aimed at maintaining all stocks above their conservation limits by the use of management targets”. • “Socio-economic factors could be taken into account in applying the Precau- tionary Approach to fisheries management issues”. • “The precautionary approach is an integrated approach that requires, inter alia, that stock rebuilding programmes (including, as appropriate, habitat improvements, stock enhancement, and fishery management actions) be developed for stocks that are below conservation limits”.

1.5 Reference points and application of precaution Conservation limits (CLs) for North Atlantic salmon stock complexes have been defined as the level of stock (number of spawners) that will achieve long-term average maximum sustainable yield (MSY). In many regions of North America, the CLs are calculated as the number of spawners required to fully seed the wetted area of the river. The definition of conservation in Canada varies by region and in some areas, historically, the values used were equivalent to maximizing / optimizing freshwater production. These are used in Canada as limit reference points and they do not corre- spond to MSY values. Reference points for Atlantic salmon are currently being reviewed for conformity with the Precautionary Approach policy in Canada. Revised reference points are expected to be developed. In some regions of Europe, pseudo stock–recruitment observations are used to calculate a hockey-stick relationship, with the inflection point defining the CLs. In the remaining regions, the CLs are calculated as the number of spawners that will achieve long-term average MSY, as derived from the adult-to-adult stock and recruitment relationship (Ricker, 1975; ICES, 1993). NASCO has adopted the region specific CLs (NASCO, 1998). These CLs are limit reference points (Slim); having populations fall below these limits should be avoided with high probability. Atlantic salmon has characteristics of short-lived fish stocks; mature abundance is sensitive to annual recruitment because there are only a few age groups in the adult spawning stock. Incoming recruitment is often the main component of the fishable stock. For such fish stocks, the ICES MSY approach is aimed at achieving a target escapement (MSY Bescapement, the amount of biomass left to spawn). No catch should be allowed unless this escapement can be achieved. The escapement level should be set so there is a low risk of future recruitment being impaired, similar to the basis for estimating Bpa in the precautionary approach. In short-lived stocks, where most of the annual surplus production is from recruitment (not growth), MSY Bescapement and Bpa might be expected to be similar. It should be noted that this is equivalent to the ICES precautionary target reference points (Spa). Therefore, stocks are regarded by ICES as being at full reproductive capacity only if they are above the precautionary target reference point. This approach parallels the use of precautionary reference points used for the provision of catch advice for other fish stocks in the ICES area. Management targets have not yet been defined for all North Atlantic salmon stocks. When these have been defined they will play an important role in ICES advice. For the assessment of the status of stocks and advice on management of national components and geographical groupings of the stock complexes in the NEAC area, where there are no specific management objectives:

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• ICES requires that the lower bound of the confidence interval of the current estimate of spawners is above the CL for the stock to be considered at full reproductive capacity. • When the lower bound of the confidence limit is below the CL, but the midpoint is above, then ICES considers the stock to be at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity. • Finally, when the midpoint is below the CL, ICES considers the stock to be suffering reduced reproductive capacity.

For catch advice on fish exploited at West Greenland (non-maturing 1SW fish from North America and non-maturing 1SW fish from Southern NEAC), ICES has adopted, a risk level of 75% of simultaneous attainment of management objectives (ICES, 2003) as part of an management plan agreed by NASCO. ICES applies the same level of risk aversion for catch advice for homewater fisheries on the North American stock complex. NASCO has not formally agreed a management plan for the fishery at Faroes. How- ever, the Working Group has developed a risk-based framework for providing catch advice for fish exploited in this fishery (mainly MSW fish from NEAC countries). Catch advice is currently provided at both the stock complex and country level (for NEAC stocks only) and catch options tables provide both individual probabilities and the probability of simultaneous attainment of meeting proposed management objectives for both. ICES has recommended (ICES, 2013) that management decisions should be based principally on a 95% probability of attainment of CLs in each stock complex/ country individually. The simultaneous attainment probability may also be used as a guide, but managers should be aware that this will generally be quite low when large numbers of management units are used. Full details of the assessment approaches used by the Working Group are provided in the Stock Annex, and this includes a general introduction in Section 1. Readers new to this report would be advised to read the Stock Annex in the first instance. (See Annex 6).

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2 Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic area

2.1 Catches of North Atlantic salmon

2.1.1 Nominal catches of salmon The nominal catch of a fishery is defined as the round, fresh weight of fish that are caught and retained. Total nominal catches of salmon reported by country in all fisheries for 1960–2017 are given in Table 2.1.1.1. Catch statistics in the North Atlantic also include fish-farm escapees and, in some Northeast Atlantic countries, ranched fish (see Section 2.2.2). Catch and release has become increasingly commonplace in some countries, but these fish do not appear in the nominal catches (see Section 2.1.2). Icelandic catches have traditionally been split into two separate categories, wild and ranched, reflecting the fact that Iceland has been the main North Atlantic country where large-scale ranching has been undertaken with the specific intention of harvesting all returns at the release site and with no prospect of wild spawning success. The release of smolts for commercial ranching purposes ceased in Iceland in 1998, but ranching for rod fisheries in two Icelandic rivers continued into 2017 (Table 2.1.1.1). Catches in Sweden have also now been split between wild and ranched categories over the entire time-series. The latter fish represent adult salmon which have originated from hatchery-reared smolts and which have been released under programmes to mitigate for hydropower development schemes. These fish are also exploited very heavily in homewaters and have no possibility of spawning naturally in the wild. While ranching does occur in some other countries, this is on a much smaller scale. Some of these operations are experimental and at others harvesting does not occur solely at the release site. The ranched component in these countries has therefore been included in the nominal catch. Figure 2.1.1.1 shows the total reported nominal catch of salmon grouped by the following areas: ‘Northern Europe’ (Norway, Russia, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Den- mark); ‘Southern Europe’ (Ireland, UK (Scotland), UK (England & Wales), UK (Northern Ireland), France and Spain); ‘North America’ (Canada, USA and St Pierre et Miquelon (France)); and ‘Greenland and Faroes’. The provisional total nominal catch for 2017 was 1182 t, 26 t below the updated catch for 2016 (1208 t) and 80 and 231 t below the averages for the last five and ten years, respectively. Catches were below the previous five and ten-year averages in the majority of countries and were the second lowest in the entire time-series (1960 to 2017) with only the catch in 2014 being lower (1134 t). The catch in UK (Scotland remained at the same low level (26 t) as the catch in 2016 (27 t), which represented a drop by four and fivefold compared with the previous five and ten years means (111 and 138 t), respectively. The reduction in catch in the last two years reflect both the impact of conservation regulations and the increased take up of catch and release in recent years. Nominal catches (weight only) in homewater fisheries were split, where available, by sea age or size category (Table 2.1.1.2). The data for 2017 are provisional and, as in Table 2.1.1.1, include both wild and reared salmon and fish-farm escapees in some countries. A more detailed breakdown, providing both numbers and weight for different sea age groups for most countries, is provided in Annex 4. Countries use different methods to partition their catches by sea age class (outlined in the footnotes to Annex 4). The composition of catches in different areas is discussed in more detail in Sections 3, 4, and 5.

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ICES recognises that mixed-stock fisheries present particular threats to stock status. These fisheries predominantly operate in coastal areas and NASCO specifically requests that the nominal catches in homewater fisheries be partitioned according to whether the catch is taken in coastal, estuarine or riverine areas. Figure 2.1.1.2 presents these data on a country-by-country basis. It should be noted, however, that the way in which the nominal catch is partitioned among categories varies between countries, particularly for estuarine and coastal fisheries. For example, in some countries these catches are split according to particular gear types and in other countries the split is based on whether fisheries operate inside or outside headlands. While it is generally easier to allocate the freshwater (riverine) component of the catch, it should also be noted that catch and release (C&R) is now in widespread use in many countries (Sec- tion 2.1.2) and these fish are excluded from the nominal catch. Noting these caveats, these data are considered to provide the best available indication of catch in these different fishery areas. Figure 2.1.1.2 shows that there is considerable variability of the distribution of the catch among individual countries. There are no coastal fisheries in Iceland, Spain, Denmark, or Finland. Coastal fisheries ceased in Ireland in 2007 and no fishing has occurred in coastal waters of UK (Northern Ireland) since 2012. In UK (Scot- land), coastal catches in 2017 were restricted to a single research fishery. In most countries in recent years the majority of the catch has been taken in rivers and estuaries. However, in Norway and Russia roughly half of the total catch has been taken in coastal waters in recent years and in UK (England & Wales) around 70–80% of the total catch has been taken in coastal waters in the last three years. Coastal, estuarine and riverine catch data for the period 2007 to 2017 aggregated by region are presented in Figure 2.1.1.3. In northern Europe, catches in coastal fisheries have been in decline over the period and have reduced from 458 t in 2007 to 303 t in 2017. Freshwater catches have been fluctuating between 763 t (2008) and 490 t (2014) over the same period. At the beginning of the time-series about half the catch was taken in coastal waters and half in rivers, whereas since 2008 the coastal catch represents only around one third of the total. In southern Europe, catches in coastal and estuarine fisheries have declined dramatically over the period. While coastal and estuarine fisheries have historically made up the largest component of the catch, costal fisheries dropped sharply in 2007 (from 306 t in 2006 to 71 t in 2007) and have remained at lower levels. Estuarine fisheries have fluctuated between 18 (2008) and 40 t (2015) in the period. The reduction in later years in coastal and estuarine fisheries reflect widespread measures to reduce exploitation in a number of countries. At the beginning of the time-series about half the catch was taken in coastal waters and one third in rivers. From 2007 to 2009 the coastal catch comprised about 20% of the total catch; this has increased to around one third of the catch from 2010 to 2016, while the coastal catch in 2017 was 23% of the total catch. In North America, the total catch has been fluctuating between 114 and 182 t over the period 2007 to 2017. Two thirds of the total catch in this area has been taken in riverine fisheries; the catch in coastal fisheries has been relatively small in any year with the biggest catch taken in 2013 and 2017 (13 t in both years). In Greenland the total catch increased steadily from 25 t in 2007 to 56 t in 2015 but decreased to 28 t in 2017.

2.1.2 Catch and release The practice of catch and release in rod fisheries has become increasingly common. This has occurred in part as a consequence of salmon management measures aimed at conserving stocks while maintaining opportunities for recreational fisheries, but also

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reflects increasing voluntary release of fish by anglers. In some areas of Canada and USA, mandatory catch and release of large (MSW) salmon has been in place since 1984, and since the beginning of the 1990s it has also been widely used in many European countries. The nominal catches presented in Section 2.1.1 do not include salmon that have been caught and released. Table 2.1.2.1 presents catch-and-release information from 1991 to 2017 for countries that have records. Catch and release may also be practised in other countries while not being formally recorded or where figures are only recently available. There are large differences in the percentage of the total rod catch that is released: in 2017 this ranged from 15% in Sweden, to 90% in UK (Scotland) reflecting varying management practices and angler attitudes among these countries. There are no restrictions on the numbers of fish that may be caught on a catch-and-release basis in most countries. For all countries, the percentage of fish released has tended to increase over time. There is also evidence from some countries that larger MSW fish are released in larger proportions than smaller fish. Overall, over 179 000 salmon were reported to have been released around the North Atlantic in 2017, 3% above the average for the last five years (174 000). Summary information on how catch and release levels are incorporated into national assessments was provided to the Working Group in 2010 (ICES, 2010).

2.1.3 Unreported catches Unreported catches by year (1987 to 2017) and Commission Area are presented in Table 2.1.3.1 and are presented relative to the total nominal catch in Figure 2.1.3.1. A description of the methods used to derive the unreported catches was provided in ICES (2000) and updated for the NEAC Region in ICES (2002). Detailed reports from different countries were also submitted to NASCO in 2007 in support of a special session on this issue. There have been no estimates of unreported catch for Russia since 2008, for Can- ada in 2007 and 2008, and for France in 2016. There are also no estimates of unreported catch for Spain and St Pierre & Miquelon (France), where total catches are typically small. In general, the methods used by each country to derive estimates of unreported catch have remained relatively unchanged and thus comparisons over time may be appropriate (see Stock Annex). However, the estimation procedures vary markedly between countries. For example, some countries include only illegally caught fish in the unreported catch, while other countries include estimates of unreported catch by legal gear as well as illegal catches in their estimates. Over recent years efforts have been made to reduce the level of unreported catch in a number of countries (e.g. through improved reporting procedures and the introduction of carcass tagging and logbook schemes). The total unreported catch in NASCO areas in 2017 was estimated to be 353 t. The unreported catch in the Northeast Atlantic Commission Area in 2017 was estimated at 298 t, and that for the West Greenland and North American Commission Areas at 10 t and 25 t, respectively. The 2017 unreported catch by country is provided in Table 2.1.3.2. It was not possible to partition the unreported catches into coastal, estuarine and riverine areas. Summary information on how unreported catches are incorporated into national and international assessments was provided to the Working Group in 2010 (ICES, 2010).

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2.2 Farming and sea ranching of Atlantic salmon

2.2.1 Production of farmed Atlantic salmon The provisional estimate of farmed Atlantic salmon production in the North Atlantic area for 2017 is 1624 kt, which is an increase on the updated production for 2016 (1535 kt) and the previous five-year mean (1552 kt). The production of farmed Atlantic salmon in this area has been over one million tonnes since 2009 (Table 2.2.1.1 and Fig- ure 2.2.1.1). Norway and UK (Scotland) continue to produce the majority of the farmed salmon in the North Atlantic (80% and 11% respectively). With the exception of Canada (production in 2017 estimated from 2016 data) and Faroes, farmed salmon production in 2017 was above the previous five-year average in all countries. Data for UK (N. Ire- land) since 2001 and data for east coast USA are not reported to the Working Group since 2011, as the data are not publically available. This is also the case for some regions within countries in some years. Worldwide production of farmed Atlantic salmon has been over one million tonnes since 2002 and has been over two million tonnes since 2012. It is difficult to source reliable production figures for all countries outside the North Atlantic area and it has been necessary to use 2016 data from the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department database for some countries in deriving a worldwide estimate for 2017. The total worldwide production in 2017 is provisionally estimated at around 2310 kt (Table 2.2.1.1 and Figure 2.2.1.1), which is an increase compared to 2016 (2222 kt) and higher than the previous five-year mean (2125 kt). Production of farmed Atlantic salmon outside the North Atlantic is estimated to have accounted for one third of the worldwide total in 2017 and is still dominated by Chile (78%). Atlantic salmon are being produced in land-based and closed containment facilities around the world and the figures provided in Table 2.2.1.1 may not include all countries where such production is occurring. The worldwide production of farmed Atlantic salmon in 2017 was over 1900 times the reported nominal catch of Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic.

2.2.2 Harvest of ranched Atlantic salmon Ranching has been defined as the production of salmon through smolt releases with the intent of harvesting the total population that returns to freshwater (harvesting can include fish collected for broodstock) (ICES, 1994). The release of smolts for commercial ranching purposes ceased in Iceland in 1998, but ranching with the specific intention of harvesting by rod fisheries has been practised in two Icelandic rivers since 1990 and these data are now included in the ranched catch (Table 2.1.1.1). A similar approach has been adopted, over the available time-series, for one river in Sweden (River Lagan). These fish originate in hatchery-reared smolts released under programmes to mitigate for hydropower development schemes with no possibility of spawning naturally in the wild. These have therefore also been designated as ranched fish and are included in Figure 2.2.2.1. In Ireland ranching is currently only carried out in two salmon rivers under limited experimental conditions. A limited ranching programme is known to be operated on the Gudenå River in Denmark but no figures are available. The total harvest of ranched Atlantic salmon in countries bordering the North Atlantic in 2017 was 42 t (Iceland, Ireland and Sweden; Table 2.2.2.1; Figure 2.2.2.1) with the majority of catch taken in Iceland (28 t). The total harvest was 17% above the average of the last five years (36 t). No estimate of ranched salmon production was made in Norway in 2017 where such catches have been very low in recent years (<1 t) and UK

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(N. Ireland) where the proportion of ranched fish was not assessed between 2008 and 2017 due to a lack of microtag returns.

2.3 NASCO has asked ICES to report on significant, new or emerging threats to, or opportunities for, salmon conservation and management

2.3.1 Diseases and parasites

2.3.1.1 Update on Red Vent Syndrome (Anisakiasis) Over recent years, there have been reports from a number of countries in the NEAC and NAC areas of salmon returning to rivers with swollen and/or bleeding vents (ICES, 2016). The condition, known as red vent syndrome (RVS or Anisakiasis), has been noted since 2004, and has been linked to the presence of a nematode worm, Anisakis simplex (Beck et al., 2008), which occurs commonly in other marine fish and marine mammals. A number of regions within the NEAC area observed a notable increase in the incidence of salmon with RVS in 2007 (ICES, 2008). Levels in the NEAC area were typically lower from 2008 (ICES, 2009; ICES, 2010; ICES*, 2011). Trapping records for rivers in the UK (England & Wales) and France suggested that levels of RVS increased again in 2013, with the observed levels being the highest in the time-series for some of the monitored stocks (ICES, 2014). Monitoring for the presence of RVS has continued on three rivers in the UK (England & Wales) (Tyne, Dee and Lune). In 2017, the RVS levels in the three rivers were broadly comparable with those observed earlier in the time-series. In Ireland in 2017, a high level of incidence of RVS (82% of the fish examined) was reported in fish taken in the Galway weir salmon fishery compared to previous years. There is no clear indication that RVS affects either the survival of the fish in freshwater or their spawning success. Recent results have also demonstrated that affected vents show signs of progressive healing in freshwater (ICES, 2014).

2.3.1.2 Update on sea lice investigations in Norway The surveillance programme for salmon lice infestation on wild salmon post-smolts and sea trout at specific localities along the Norwegian coast continued in 2017 (Nilsen et al., 2018). The field activities and sampling locations were informed by predictions from a hydrodynamic model in relation to the spread and distribution of salmon louse larvae (Sandvik et al., 2016). In this model, data from weekly counts of sea lice at fish farms are coupled with detailed hydrodynamic modelling to predict the distribution of sea lice larvae, and the infestation pressure on wild salmonids. Salmon lice levels on salmon in sentinel cages corresponded well with predictions from the hydrodynamic model (Sandvik et al., 2016). Field sampling was directed to areas where the model predicted high densities of infective salmon louse copepodites in the post-smolt migration period. Activities in the field included trawling for salmon post-smolts in fjords and coastal areas, nearshore traps and nets catching sea trout, and sentinel cages with smolts placed at various locations. The field examinations were conducted in two periods; an early period covering the migration period of salmon post-smolts, and a later period focused on sea trout infection. In 2017, more effort was directed towards collecting data from salmon post- smolts, and there was a significant increase in trawling activities and use of sentinel cages. The period of sampling for sea trout with nets was also adjusted, so that late migrating salmon post-smolts could be sampled in this fishery.

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In general, the surveillance programme demonstrated varying infestation pressure along the coast during the post-smolt migration period in 2017. There were low levels of sea lice and low infection pressure in southeastern Norway but higher levels in some areas in western Norway with expected negative impacts on wild salmon post-smolts. In mid-Norway, levels of sea lice infestation were generally found to be low to moderate. In the three northernmost counties, the results indicated a limited negative effect of salmon lice on migrating salmon, although in some specific areas the effect was regarded as moderate. The situation on fish farms was somewhat different in 2017, compared to 2016. The lice numbers on fish in fish farms were lower in 2017 than in 2016, especially in autumn. Production of lice larvae decreased in most production areas (Hjeltnes et al., 2018). The use of chemicals to treat salmon louse infestations on farmed salmon has decreased (71% decrease in prescriptions issued compared to 2016) because fish farmers are switching to alternative methods for removal of sea lice (e.g. various mechanical methods). Resistance by sea lice to the commonly used chemicals continues to be a serious problem. In 2017, a new management regime for salmonid aquaculture was implemented. Un- der this management regime, the level of aquaculture production in 13 defined production areas along the coast will be regulated and adjusted according to the estimated added mortality inferred for wild salmon populations in the production areas from salmon louse infestations. In production areas where estimates indicate that mortality from salmon lice is >30% (“red light”), combined aquaculture production will be reduced. Where estimates indicate that added mortality from salmon lice infections is between 10% and 30% (“yellow light”), aquaculture production can remain at the same level. If added mortality is estimated to be below 10% (“green light”), production will be allowed to increase (Anon., 2015a; Anon., 2015b). The results from the monitoring programme for sea lice in 2016 and 2017 were evaluated by an expert group and the different production areas were placed in the three categories (Nilsen et al., 2017). The expert group concluded that, based on results from monitoring in 2017, in 10 of the production areas added mortality from sea lice was below 10%, in one area the added mortality was between 10% and 30%, while in two areas the mortality was above 30%. These results, and the evaluation of results from monitoring in 2016, formed the basis for a combined classification. This classification was conducted by a steering committee, comprised of members from the Institute of Marine Research, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research and the Norwegian Veter- inary Institute. In the combined classification, seven production areas were classified as “green”, four as “yellow” and two as “red”. The classification of the production zones in 2017 will not result in a reduction in production in zones classified as “red” (>30% added mortality). However, reductions in production in any zones classified as “red” will be implemented in 2019 when the next classification will be conducted.

2.3.1.3 Update on Gyrodactylus salaris Norway - In 2017, nine rivers in the Vefsn region, Nordland county, were declared free of the parasite Gyrodactylus salaris following treatment with rotenone against the parasite that ended in 2012. One river system in the Vefsn region has not been declared free of the parasite yet because this watershed contains deep lakes where Arctic char may act as hosts for the parasite. In total, G. salaris has been recorded in 50 Norwegian salmon rivers since 1975. Of these rivers, 31 have been declared free of the parasite, 12 have been treated against the parasite and are currently awaiting parasite free declara- tion if the parasite is not found in the coming years. Seven rivers are still infected. The

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rivers that are still infected are located in two regions (four rivers in the Driva-region, Møre og Romsdal county and three rivers in the Drammen region, Buskerud and Vestfold counties). Russian Federation - In 2017, the introduction of the parasite G. salaris was confirmed in the salmon rivers Pak and Shovna in the basin of the Lower Tuloma Reservoir. The introduction of the parasite was believed to have originated from transfers of rainbow trout to the cage-aquaculture farms in the reservoir.

2.3.1.4 Other updates on disease issues Sweden - Disease and mortality issues in returning salmon and sea trout have been prevalent in a number of rivers in Sweden that drain into the Baltic Sea. After high levels of mortality in two consecutive years (2014 and 2015), the Swedish National Vet- erinary Institute (SVA) was asked to carry out a sampling programme in 2016 to investigate the source of the problem. The rivers affected were the Torneälven (northern Baltic), Umeälven (mid Baltic), and the Mörrumsån (southern Baltic) which is approximately 200 km from North Atlantic salmon rivers. In total, 112 diseased or wounded fish were sampled in 2016. The main symptoms observed in fish from the River Mörrumsån were erythemas and petechial bleeding, with concurrent fungal infections. Lesions similar to those associated with ulcerative dermal necrosis (UDN) were also quite common. Affected fish began appearing in mid-May and showed high mortality, but this increase levelled off subsequently. Of the 112 fish sampled in 2016, 42 (38%) had UDN-like wounds, but analyses showed that only 15 met criteria indicative of UDN. However, it has still not been concluded that UDN was the underlying cause of the symptoms observed, because other infections can result in similar wounds and damaged tissue. Routine analyses for viruses and bacteria gave no conclusive results, although bacteria associated with skin lesions were identified in a few individuals. Next generation sequencing indicated the presence of herpes- and irido-viruses, that are harder to cultivate, in the population. These viruses can cause skin lesions, but the findings need to be investigated further to ascertain the presence of the virus and clarify virulence and prevalence. Disease outbreaks continued to impact the health of returning salmon in Swedish rivers in 2017. There were 23 cases of sick or injured salmon reported from the west coast of Sweden. Most cases were attributed to RVS during summer and early autumn and fungal infections during autumn. In summary, no outbreak of UDN was confirmed and numbers of salmon mortalities have decreased since 2015. Russian Federation - ICES (2016) noted that during summer 2015 there was a mass mortality of adult salmon observed in the Kola River, Murmansk region, which was diagnosed as UDN. Salmon parr in the river did not show any sign of disease. In 2016, mortality of spawning fish caused by the same disease was observed again in the Kola River and in the Tuloma River, the outlet of which is located 10 km from the Kola River mouth. Both rivers drain into the inner part of the Kola Bay. In 2017, the disease was detected in the Kola River, the Tuloma River, the Lower Tuloma Reservoir and its tributaries. In 2015, no pathogenic source was identified, but the timing of the disease incidence coincided with mass mortalities of farmed salmon in late autumn 2014 and spring /summer 2015 and the disposal in summer 2015 of dead farmed fish on the bank of the Kola River, near the urban settlement of Molochny close to the Kola River outlet. In 2016, 219 wild salmon died in the cage used for holding broodstock near the counting

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fence in the Kola River. While the total number of salmon that died in the river is unknown, reports from anglers indicated smaller numbers of sick salmon in this river compared to 2015. In 2017, 163 dead fish were collected and removed at the counting fence of the Kola River during the monitoring period from July 10 to August 4, 2017, representing an estimated mortality rate of 14.5%. The total count of adult salmon in the Lower Tuloma fish ladder in 2017 was 4816 salmon which was above the Conservation Limit (3380). Of these, 200 salmon showed symptoms of disease similar to the Kola fish. However, the total mortality in this river is unknown. The Murmansk Regional Commissions on Regulation for Harvesting Anadromous Fish did not restrict or close salmon recreational fisheries in the Kola River or in the tributaries of the Tuloma river system for the 2017 season. In late July 2016, a few salmon with red bellies (i.e. similar disease symptoms to the Kola and Tuloma fish) were caught in the Motovsky Gulf with gillnets during surveys in the coastal areas of the Barents Sea. The Motovsky Gulf is a body of water between the northwest coast of the Kola Peninsula and the south coast of the Rybachy Penin- sula, Murmansk region. The Bolshaya Zapadnaya Litsa River, Titovka River and Ura River drain into the Motovsky Gulf. It was noted that salmon farms in the Titovka Bay and in the Ura Bay also suffered from mass mortality of farmed salmon in sea cages in 2015. Some further sporadic reports were also received for individual diseased salmon caught or found in other Barents Sea rivers of the Kola Peninsula in 2015–2016.

2.3.2 Pink salmon captures in 2017 in the North Atlantic area Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) is a Pacific salmon species that has been introduced in various locations outside its native range. Pink salmon have the shortest life cycle among species of the genus Oncorhynchus, as they mature and reproduce after only two years. Therefore, the species typically exists as reproductively isolated populations spawning in alternate even and odd years (Heard, 1991). Pink salmon have been introduced to the White Sea basin in northern Russia since the 1950s, initially with little evidence of natural reproduction in the introduced area (Gor- deeva and Salmenkova, 2011). This was understood to be because the introductions were sourced from populations in the southern part of the natural range in the Pacific. Subsequent introductions, from 1985, were undertaken with eggs from broodstock selected from the northern part of the species range (Ola river, Okhotsk Sea basin, Loenko et al., 2000). This led to the rapid establishment of self-sustaining, odd-year populations in the White Sea rivers in the Murmansk and Archangelsk regions of Russia, with adult returns fluctuating between 60 000 to 700 000 fish between 1989 and 2009 (Zubchenko et al., 2004; Gordeeva et al., 2005). Efforts to establish even-year populations in Russia have been largely unsuccessful, despite the transfer of large numbers of eggs from the same source rivers in the Okhotsk Sea basin. A commercial fishery for pink salmon takes place in the coastal areas of the White Sea concurrently with Atlantic salmon fisheries and using the same gears. Catches of pink salmon have been higher than those of Atlantic salmon in some odd years. However, there has previously been no commercial fishery for pink salmon in the White Sea in even years (ICES, 2013). Subsequent to the introductions in Russia, pink salmon have regularly been observed in the rivers in Finnmark county in northern Norway, with the largest numbers in odd- years (Niemelä et al., 2016); pink salmon have also become established in a number of rivers in this area (Hesthagen and Sandlund, 2007). As part of a wider review of interactions between exotic salmonids and Atlantic salmon, the Working Group previously

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described the development of the pink salmon populations in the White Sea and outlined the potential effects of pink salmon on native salmonids (ICES, 2013). In 2017, captures of pink salmon were reported in various countries around the North Atlantic over a wide geographical area (Table 2.3.2.1), and at previously unrecorded levels. The bulk of the recoveries were reported in Russia and Norway, but pink salmon occurred in most countries, ranging from France in the southern part of the Northeast Atlantic, via the British Isles, Ireland and Iceland to Greenland, Newfound- land and Labrador in the Northwest Atlantic. Overall, pink salmon were observed in more than 370 rivers outside Russia. The following provides a brief country by country overview of the reported captures in 2017. Russian Federation - A large run of pink salmon occurred in the White Sea basin of the Russian Federation in 2017. Fisheries for pink salmon were allowed to operate at designated fishing sites only. In the Murmansk region, commercial fisheries operated at the counting fences in the Varzuga and the Kitsa rivers (the White Sea basin) and at coastal fishing sites in the White Sea. Only trapnets were allowed to operate in the coastal fishery. Catches at the counting fences were 103.0 t and 15.0 t in the Varzuga and Kitsa rivers, respectively. The catch at the coastal fishing sites was 119.4 t, and 3.2 t were taken in the recreational rod catch. In the Archangelsk region, the commercial catch of pink salmon was 90.4 t and the recreational catch 2.4 t, while in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) the commercial and recreational catches were 1.0 t and 3.1 t, respectively. In these regions, coastal and in-river traps and gillnets were in use. The total catch of pink salmon in 2017 in the northwest of Russia was 373.5 t; this was eight times higher than the total catch of Atlantic salmon in the area. Based on an average weight of 1.7 kg, this equates to about 220 000 fish, suggesting this is within the range of adult returns reported previously, and as noted above (Zubchenko et al., 2004; Gordeeva et al., 2005). Occasional catches (2001) of pink salmon in excess of 300 t have previously been reported to the Working Group. Other Northern NEAC countries - Prior to 2012, pink salmon had been observed or caught in approximately 50 rivers in Norway, mainly in Finnmark county, with recaptures dating back to 1960, although the number of observations prior to 2012 is considered an underestimate. Pink salmon have been spawning in several rivers in the eastern part of Finnmark county. In 2015, 162 individuals were reported from 21 rivers, and in 2016, 159 individuals were reported from 30 rivers. In 2017, pink salmon were observed and/or caught in at least 272 rivers, with reports from all the 15 counties in Norway with a coastline. In total, 3448 pink salmon were reported from angling in rivers, 2454 were removed from rivers through targeted efforts, 477 were reported from captures at sea, and 5428 were observed in rivers during snorkelling surveys. Pink salmon fry have been observed in several rivers in southern Norway in winter/spring of 2017/2018 indicating that successful spawning also occurred in the south of the country in 2017. Unusually large numbers of pink salmon were detected in the River Teno system in 2017, with much larger proportions of pink salmon scales collected in the annual Finn- ish catch sampling programme. In addition, pink salmon were detected at video monitoring sites on the river in Finland: close to 100 individuals in the River Utsjoki and 25 in the River Laksjohka. No pink salmon were detected in snorkelling counts, and there was no quantitative information on pink salmon occurrence from the River Näätämöjoki in 2017, although anecdotal information indicated comparable, unusually high abundance in this river as well.

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Pink salmon were recorded for the first time in Sweden in 2017, with captures in several rivers on the west coast (Rivers Örekilsälven, Göta älv, Ätran, Viskan, Fylleån and Lagan). In total, about 80 individuals were reported with lengths of 45 to 75 cm. Small numbers of pink salmon were also reported from rivers in Denmark. Small numbers of pink salmon have been reported from Icelandic fisheries since the early 1960s. Male pink salmon with the distinctive humpback are reported most commonly; pink salmon females are often thought to be mistaken as sea-run Arctic charr by fishers and therefore reported less often. In 2017, 66 pink salmon were reported, by far the largest number ever reported, with catches distributed in rivers all around Ice- land. In late summer, spawning females were caught indicating that spawning was taking place in Icelandic rivers. Southern NEAC countries - Pink salmon have been reported in UK (Scotland) in small numbers (up to five individuals) in occasional years since the early 1960s. Much larger numbers of pink salmon were reported in 2017 with a total of 139 fish recorded across a broad range of rivers. Of these, 75 were captured by rod-and-line angling, 24 in commercial nets and 26 from targeted netting. A further eight were observed alive and six found dead. This reported sample is considered to underestimate the overall number of pink salmon entering Scottish rivers. Pink salmon were observed spawning in one Scottish river, and work is underway to assess the risk of such populations establishing in Scotland including testing of the viability and hatching of eggs across a range of temperatures. On the River Bush in UK (N. Ireland), one female pink salmon was recorded in late July 2017 from the adult trap in the lower river. Other pink salmon were captured in the River Foyle by rod and line. There have been occasional reports of pink salmon captures in UK (England & Wales) in previous years dating back to the 1960s. Recent reports have occurred in odd years (e.g. 2007, 2009 and 2015). Relatively large numbers of pink salmon (approximately 200) were taken on the English northeast coast salmon fishery in 2017, and there were also reports of fish being captured in a number of river systems from various parts of the country. A small sample of frozen pink salmon (nine fish) arising from captures in rivers in the northeast and southwest of England were subject to post-mortem examination. Although the freezing of samples limited comprehensive assessment of parasites, a number of common metazoan species were recovered. All samples were found to be negative for the viruses Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN), Viral Haem- orrhagic Septicaemia (VHS), Infectious Salmon Anaemia virus (ISA) and Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN). Pink salmon have only very rarely been recorded in Ireland prior to 2017. The first record of pink salmon caught in Ireland was from the River Moy in 1973 (Went, 1974) with further occasional, largely anecdotal, reports since that time. In 2017, 33 pink salmon were captured in eleven river systems; all were caught by anglers, with the exception of a single fish retrieved from an illegal net. Fish were recorded in the Rivers Crana and Lackagh in the north of the country; the Rivers Ballisodare, Drowes, Garavogue and Moy in the northwest; and the Corrib, Erriff, Owengarve and Ow- enmore systems in the west of Ireland and the Munster Blackwater in the southwest of Ireland. The first pink salmon captured was caught in late June, numbers peaked in July and some further fish were caught by anglers in August and September. Inland Fisheries Ireland carried out an extensive public awareness campaign about the occurrence of pink salmon in Irish river systems in order to increase reporting rates and

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encourage anglers to retain any specimens caught for verification and subsequent scientific assessment. A range of biological samples were collected from retained specimens. Small numbers of pink salmon captures were also reported in France and Germany. Other Commission areas - Small numbers of pink salmon were detected by samplers during the catch screening programme at West Greenland. Three pink salmon were also reported in Newfoundland and Labrador. Two were taken at counting fences in Labrador while a single fish was reported from recreational catches in Newfoundland. Overview and Next Steps - It is, as yet, unclear whether the marked increase in pink salmon numbers in 2017 represents a one-off occurrence, due to particularly favourable conditions for a particular cohort of fish, or whether this might mark the start of a wider range expansion by the species. In any event, the widespread capture of fish around the N. Atlantic represented a notable change from earlier years, despite the reported catch in Russia being similar to that reported occasionally in the past. It also seems likely that the widespread spawning of fish in many Norwegian rivers in 2017 will result in an increase in both the numbers and distribution of juveniles entering the marine environment, and this expected increase in distribution and abundance could, in turn, result in widespread distribution of pink salmon again in 2019. It is also not uncommon for the occurrence of a lag phase, sometimes lasting an extended period, between initial establishment of a non-native species and its subsequent rapid expansion (Crooks and Soule, 1999; Copp et al., 2005). In response to the widespread occurrence of pink salmon in 2017, representatives from a range of Northeast Atlantic countries met in UK (Scotland) in September 2017 to dis- cuss various issues. This included: • A brief review of the history of pink salmon introductions within northern Russia and western Europe, the scale of historical catches around this area and the nature of catches made in 2017; • An overview of pink salmon ecology, species plasticity, invasiveness and implications of phenological change in support of formal risk assessments including potential impacts on Atlantic salmon; • Current surveillance and management measures in use to examine their ef- ficacy and explore the potential use of new monitoring tools (such as. eDNA); • Identifying knowledge gaps, and how these might be addressed and by whom.

In the event of a further large run of pink salmon in future, a range of new monitoring and research activities are expected to be initiated to better assess the potential impact of the species on Atlantic salmon and other native species. Risk assessments are also being developed in some countries (e.g. UK, Norway, Ireland).

2.3.3 Interactions between striped bass and Atlantic salmon in eastern Can- ada The southern Gulf of St Lawrence in eastern Canada supports a diverse native diadromous fish community that contributes to important Indigenous communities, commercial, and recreational fisheries on river herring (alewife and blueback herring), rainbow smelt, American eel, Atlantic salmon, and striped bass. Abundances of these indigenous species have varied over time and the interactions among them can be complex.

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There are a large number of Atlantic salmon producing rivers in this region and these populations have generally exhibited important declines in abundance since the early 1990s, attributed to decreases in marine survival. Until 2017, the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) population of the southern Gulf of St Lawrence has historically been distributed in near shore waters and estuaries from the eastern tip of the Gaspe Peninsula in Québec to the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia (Figure 2.3.3.1). The only predictable spawning location that has produced recruitment annually in the southern Gulf of St Lawrence is the Northwest Miramichi River, one of the most important salmon producing rivers in the region. The Striped bass population of the southern Gulf of St Lawrence had declined to less than 5000 spawners in the late 1990s which resulted in the closure of the commercial fishery for striped bass in 1996 and the closure of the recreational and aboriginal fisheries for striped bass in 2000. In response in part to these management measures and likely due to favourable environmental conditions (generally warmer climate), the estimated spawner abundance in the Northwest Miramichi incrementally increased to over 300 000 spawners by 2016 (Figure 2.3.3.2).

2.3.3.1 Range expansion of striped bass in 2017 In 2017, the estimated spawner abundance of the striped bass population of the southern Gulf of St Lawrence increased to approximately 1 million spawners (Figure 2.3.3.2). Until summer of 2017, the northern limit of the confirmed distribution for southern Gulf of St Lawrence striped bass had been the Gaspe Peninsula (COSEWIC, 2012). Dur- ing summer of 2017, tags that had been previously placed on striped bass in the Mira- michi River and East River (Pictou, NS) (Figure 2.3.3.3) were returned by anglers and commercial fishermen from the St Lawrence estuary and the lower north shore of the St Lawrence and southern Labrador (DFO, 2018a). Evidence of the increased distribution of southern Gulf striped bass outside its historically confirmed range in 2017 was corroborated by numerous media and social media reports of striped bass in estuaries, freshwater, and coastal waters of the St Lawrence estuary, lower north shore, and southern Labrador. To date, there have been no recaptures of striped bass tagged in the Miramichi to the east of the Gulf of St Lawrence (along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia and Bay of Fundy). The reason for this extended migration and whether it will be repeated in future years is unknown, but it may have been associated with increased abundance and / or above average seawater temperatures in the Gulf of St Lawrence in recent years. As striped bass abundance has increased and distribution expanded, concerns have been raised on the potential predation consequences of striped bass on salmon. Mor- tality on Atlantic salmon smolts is assumed to be highest in the early phase of the seaward migration and predation is one factor that accounts for this mortality; salmon smolts have been reported in the diet of fish, including cod and striped bass, as well as various aquatic birds (cormorants, gulls). The following sections (2.3.3.2 to 2.3.3.4) summarise the results of three studies carried out in the Miramichi River to better understand the potential consequences of interactions between striped bass and Atlantic salmon smolts as the spawning period of striped bass overlaps temporally (late May and early June) and spatially (tidal waters of the Northwest Miramichi) with the At- lantic salmon smolt migrations in this river.

2.3.3.2 Diet studies of striped bass Annually, striped bass return from coastal feeding migrations in autumn to overwinter in estuaries, including the Miramichi, where they typically remain until ice-out. Striped

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bass do not feed during winter but resume feeding in spring when the ice leaves and water temperatures begin to increase. They spawn sometime between late-May and mid-June, depending on the water temperature. After spawning, striped bass return to the coastal areas of the southern Gulf of St Lawrence for summer and fall during which time the majority of their feeding and growth occurs. Striped bass are generalist feeders and are piscivores at larger sizes. During May and June, 2013 to 2015, the stomach contents from more than 1800 striped bass stomachs, approximately 600 per year, were collected and identified in the Miramichi (DFO, 2016). Striped bass sampled ranged in length from 19.2 to 86.2 cm (mean fork length of 47.7 cm). The diet of striped bass in the Miramichi estuary during May and June was consistent between 2013 and 2015. Most striped bass stomachs were empty. Striped bass in the Miramichi River during spring, fed opportunistically and changed prey species as they became available (or unavailable) during different migration times (Fig- ure 2.3.3.4). Rainbow Smelt were present when striped bass began feeding in spring and were the first to be consumed, while gaspereau were the last to arrive in the estuary and also, the last to be consumed. A total of 48 Atlantic Salmon smolts were identified in 28 striped bass stomachs sampled during the three year study. The short duration of smolt predation by striped bass is consistent with the typical 1–2 week period when the smolt migration is at its highest. No estimates of total consumption of salmon smolts by bass were provided for the three years as the daily movements of striped bass to, within and away from the spawning areas are complex (Douglas et al., 2009). Additional results have been obtained in another diet study conducted by the government of Québec in the Gaspe region during the smolt migrations of 2014 and 2015. No smolts have been observed among the stomachs of 236 striped bass collected in the estuaries of salmon rivers.

2.3.3.3 Interactions between Atlantic salmon smolts and striped bass inferred from acoustic telemetry Differences in movement patterns of Atlantic Salmon smolts migrating to sea and striped bass spawners in the Miramichi River in 2013 to 2016 were characterized using acoustic tag detections, and a model was developed to infer the proportions of acoustically tagged Atlantic Salmon smolts that may have been consumed by striped bass (Daniels et al., 2018). Striped bass and Atlantic Salmon smolt acoustic tags were recorded on common acoustic receiver deployments within the Miramichi River estuary. Eight variables characterizing movement patterns were compiled including the average speed through system, the time between first and last detection within the study period, the count of switches in upstream and downstream movement direction, etc. Movement patterns consistent with a smolt that was not predated by a striped bass were described based on tracks of smolts subsequently detected at the Strait of Belle Isle array to the Labrador Sea. Non-predated salmon smolt movement patterns were typically characterized by uni- directional downstream movements in contrast to striped bass movement patterns which had more frequent up and downstream reversals (Figure 2.3.3.5). Using a Ran- dom Forest classification model (Cutler et al., 2007), the inferred predation rates by striped bass on acoustically tagged smolts were highly variable between years and tag release locations within the Miramichi River, ranging from 2.6% to 19.9%. The higher inferred percentages of predation on Northwest Miramichi (9.2 to 19.9%; vs. 2.6 to 16.5% for the Southwest Miramichi) are consistent with the higher estimated spatial and temporal overlap between the two species in the Northwest Miramichi.

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2.3.3.4 Relative survival rates of Atlantic salmon smolts through neighbouring bays in the southern Gulf of St Lawrence inferred from acoustic telemetry Acoustic telemetry studies were conducted to gain insights into the location and timing of smolt and post-smolt mortality during the early phase from unimpacted (free fish passage) rivers in eastern Canada (Chaput, G., Carr, J., Daniels, J., Jonsen, I., and Whoriskey, F. Unpbl.). During 2003 to 2016, a total of 2862 Atlantic salmon smolts from four river populations and two neighbouring bays in eastern Canada were intercepted during their spring seaward migration and tagged with acoustic transmitters. The movements, detection rates and apparent survivals were estimated to the head of tide, at exit to the Gulf of St Lawrence and at exit to the Labrador Sea, a migration covering a period of up to two months at sea and offshore marine distances of 800 km. Estimates of annual “apparent cumulative survival” from release to exit into the Gulf of St Lawrence were lowest for salmon smolts passing through Miramichi Bay (average of ~50%) compared to the neighbouring Chaleur Bay (average of ~75%) (Figure 2.3.3.6). Over time, there were declines in apparent survival for salmon smolts from Miramichi Bay in contrast to no declines in salmon smolts from Chaleur Bay. The differences in apparent survival rates in two neighbouring coastal areas over two time periods and the modelled spatial and temporal differences spatially have been hypothesized to be in part related to differences in predation pressures on migrating smolts from striped bass present in the Miramichi Bay during the smolt migration period but not in the Chaleur Bay (Daniels et al., 2018). Once the smolts leave the coastal bays, inferred apparent survival rates through the Gulf of St Lawrence were generally in the range of 0.4 to 0.7 with survival rates exceeding 0.999 per km and 0.96 to 0.99 per day for all rivers and years. The experiment continues in 2017 and addition of data beyond 2016 will require standardising and correction (e.g. size of smolts, detection rates) of the raw data. These longer term experiments and those relating to diet and range expansion provide important information with which to address questions of predator prey interactions of co-occurring species of joint interest and to support management interventions.

2.3.4 Tracking and acoustic tagging studies in Canada There is continued interest in the development of techniques to help investigate salmon mortality at sea and to better partition mortality between different periods of the marine phase of the life cycle. To this end, NASCO’s International Atlantic Salmon Re- search Board (IASRB) adopted a resolution in 2014 to further support the development of telemetry programmes in the ocean. Results of ongoing projects led by the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) in collaboration with the Ocean Tracking Network, Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA), Res- tigouche River Watershed Management Committee, Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and others, to assess estuarine and marine survival of tagged Atlantic salmon released in rivers of the Gulf of St Lawrence (GoSL), Canada were presented to the Working Group. More than 3300 smolts from four rivers (Cascapedia, Restigouche, southwest and northwest branches of the Miramichi) were tagged with acoustic transmitters and released over a period of fifteen years, 2003 to 2017. In addition, other research projects were releasing acoustically tagged smolts in 2017 from North Lake River in PEI and Vieux Fort and Jaacques Cartier River on the Lower North Shore area of Québec. Acoustic arrays to detect tagged fish were positioned at the head of tide of each river, at the exit from the bays to the GoSL and at the Strait of Belle Isle (SoBI) leading to the Labrador Sea, more than 800 km from the point of the furthest release.

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The SoBI (between Labrador and Newfoundland) appears to be the primary route for smolts and kelts exiting the GoSL. (Figure 2.3.4.1) The only other possible exit is through the Cabot Strait, and this array has been in place since 2012. Only two smolt tags were detected on the Cabot array (originating in Miramichi in 2012 and Cascape- dia in 2013) although adult salmon, tagged as kelt in the preceeding year, have crossed this array. In 2017, kelts from Miramichi and Restigouche rivers crossed the SoBI array during a three week period at end of June and early July, whereas smolts from many different stocks crossed this line together between July 7–19, with a later crossing on July 27 of a smolt from the Vieux Fort River. Salmon kelts (400 in total) have been acoustically tagged since 2008 in Miramichi and 2013 in Restigouche rivers. Some of these acoustically tagged kelts have also been fitted with satellite tags (PSATs) since 2012 in Miramichi River and starting in 2016 in Res- tigouche River. There has been a high mortality of kelts in the GoSL and pop-up tags have provided data on where and how some of the kelts are dying (Strom et al., 2017). The Working Group encourages the continuation and expansion of tracking programmes as information from such programmes is expected to be useful in the assessment of marine mortality on North Atlantic salmon stocks. The Working Group also notes that these techniques have been proposed, and are being implemented in other areas, both in the Northwest and the Northeast Atlantic (e.g. SALSEA Track), in line with the NASCO IASRB resolution.

2.3.5 Progress with implementing the Quality Norm for Norwegian salmon populations In August 2013, a management system - The Quality Norm for Wild Populations of Atlantic Salmon (“Kvalitetsnorm for ville bestander av Atlantisk laks”) - was adopted by the Norwegian government (Anon, 2013). This system was based on an earlier pro- posal by the Norwegian Scientific Advisory Committee for Atlantic Salmon Manage- ment (Anon, 2011). A more detailed description of the Quality Norm is given in ICES (2014). In 2016, the first classification of populations based on both dimensions (conservation limit and harvest potential, and genetic integrity) was conducted for 104 populations. In 2017, 148 salmon populations were classified including the 104 classified in 2016. Updated estimates of the degree of introgression from farmed Atlantic salmon for all classified salmon populations were available, and a combined classification in both dimensions of the quality norm was made (Anon, 2017a). Of the 148 populations considered, 29 (20%) were classified as being in good or very good condition, 42 (28%) populations were classified as being in moderate condition, while 77 (52%) were in poor or very poor condition. In addition to the classification for 148 rivers done in 2017, in 2018 the Norwegian Scientific Advisory Committee for Atlantic Salmon classified all Norwegian salmon rivers based on available information on spawning population size from various data sources (Anon, 2018). The classification was based on data from the period 2010–2014. For another 260 rivers where river-specific information was not available, the classification was done based on a model for potential harvest (surplus as percentage of the average value) parameterized using data from 152 rivers where analyses of estimated harvest potential are available. The model incorporates information from nearby rivers and the estimated effect of different stressors (escaped farmed salmon, sea-lice infestation, heavy metal pollution and acidification). The occurrence and possible effect of different stressor in each river were also tabulated. To be able to classify all 448 rivers, this system is a simplified version of the quality norm. In summary, 41 % of the populations were classified as being in a poor or very poor

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state, 35% were in a moderate state, 20% in a good or very good state, and 4% could not be classified because they were under re-establishment after treatment against Gy- rodactylus salaris. This classification was translated into the classification system used in the NASCO rivers database.

2.3.6 The impact of capture and tagging on estimates of Atlantic salmon adult return rates The recent decline in stocks of Atlantic salmon has largely been attributed to poor survival in the marine environment. Evidence of this change is commonly provided by estimates of return rates from monitored rivers, i.e. the proportion of the out-migrating smolts that survive to return to their river of origin as adults. Such estimates commonly depend on tagging a proportion of the smolt run and assessing the subsequent numbers of this tagged cohort in the subsequent adult returns. However, tagging can have a negative effect on smolt physiology, behaviour and survival (Hansen, 1988; Hansen and Jonsson, 1988; Moffett et al., 1997; Lower et al., 2006; Riley et al., 2007). Indeed, Cro- zier and Kennedy (2002) reported that over a 13-year period wild salmon smolts tagged with coded wire tags (CWT) on the River Bush, Northern Ireland, suffered an additional 56.4% mortality relative to a control group. Recent investigations in UK (England & Wales) have further explored the issue of possible tagging effects on smolts. In a study carried out over seven years on the River Frome, southern England, adult return rates of wild Atlantic salmon smolts captured, anaesthetised and tagged with CWTs were compared with a control group. The control group comprised fish that had previously been tagged with passive integrated re- sponder (PIT) tags as parr over six months prior to the smolt migration and that were detected, without any handling, both leaving and returning to the river, by means of cross-river PIT antennae detection systems. Compared to control group smolts, the study demonstrated that the tagging process only affected adult return rates under certain conditions, with a decreased return probability for smolts caught and tagged following mild winter river temperature anoma- lies and during the night. In a number of years, return rates were very similar for both control and experimental groups. There was also a marginal positive effect of length at PIT tagging as parr on adult return rate. Among smolts captured and tagged, i.e. the experimental group, mild winters decreased their probability of return as adults compared to those smolts caught and tagged following more typical winter temperatures. Smolt length and being caught and tagged at night both had a marginal effect (positive and negative, respectively) on individual probability of return as adult. The results support the hypothesis that the impact of tagging processes will vary with the circumstances under which they are performed, and highlights the need for researchers to remain mindful of the possible implications of such factors on adult return rates. Nevertheless, effects were negligible in many years, and the results are considered reassuring in the context of ongoing investigations to derive and report marine return rates in support of national and international stock assessments. The results suggest that marking juvenile salmon with CWTs remains a reliable and informative method for deriving information on marine return rates. Such data are likely to be particularly useful in indicating trends over time, rather than year-on-year changes. The study further highlights the need for managers to recognize the importance of long- term monitoring programmes as indicators of change. While logistical constraints may restrict wider application in many cases, the researchers (Riley et al., In press) also note that ‘hands-off’ facilities, such as those on the River

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Frome, where out-migrating smolts and returning adults can be monitored and enu- merated passively, probably represent the optimum approach for evaluating marine return rates and suggest that further development of such facilities would be of value.

2.3.7 New opportunities for sampling salmon at sea

2.3.7.1 The International Ecosystem Summer Survey of the Nordic Seas (IESSNS) and other surveys The IESSNS is a collaborative programme involving research vessels from Iceland, the Faroes, Greenland and Norway. Surveys are carried out annually in July–August and present an opportunity for improving knowledge of many marine fish species including salmon at sea. The area surveyed (3.0 million km2 in 2017) overlaps in time and space with the known distribution of post-smolts in the North Atlantic, and as these cruises target pelagic species such as herring and mackerel with surface trawling at predetermined locations, bycatch of salmon post-smolts and adult salmon is not uncommon. In 2017 a total of 36 post-smolt and adult salmon were caught by the participating vessels in different regions of the North Atlantic (Figure 2.3.7.1). This post-smolt distribution is similar to previous marine surveys for salmon at-sea (Anon, 2012) and simulated distributions based on larger sample size from directed surveys (Mork et al., 2012), but with a tendency of a more western geographic distribution. The Working Group has been liaising with the coordinator of the IESSNS surveys to clarify sampling protocols and a number of samples have been collected and frozen for subsequent analysis. The Institute of Marine Research (Bergen, Norway) is developing a plan to collate all the information from the analysis of the samples of individual salmon caught in earlier years, as well as those from last year’s cruises. In addition to the IESSNS, there is also occasional bycatch of salmon during other pelagic research surveys. As these other surveys do not perform surface trawling, the number of salmon caught is low. However, some salmon are occasionally caught in the North Sea, the Barents Sea and during spring in the Norwegian Sea. The samples are expected to provide valuable information on the distribution of salmon at sea, the size, sex and diet of individual fish, and will also enable stock origin to be investigated using genetic techniques. The IESSNS survey data will also provide information on salmon distribution in relation to other pelagic species, hydrography and plankton abundance.

2.3.7.2 Bycatch of salmon in the Icelandic mackerel fishery For the past ten years, a mackerel fishery with pelagic midwater trawls has operated during the summer months within the Icelandic EEZ. In 2017, the pelagic fishery operated as in previous years, with no major changes either in timing, geographic distribution or the applied gears. Partial screening of the catch has been undertaken by the Icelandic Directorate of Fisheries to check for possible bycatch of salmon. This screening has involved both on-board inspections and screening at landing sites. In addition, salmon taken as bycatch have been voluntarily reported by the Icelandic mackerel fleet and have been recovered during surveys carried out by Marine and Freshwater Re- search Institute research vessels. Since 2010, a total of 847 salmon have been recovered. Of the samples taken, 186 have been analysed and assigned to country of origin. Eight fish, from post-smolts caught close to land, were determined to be of Icelandic origin while of the remaining 178 samples, 121 individuals (68%) were from mainland Eu- rope, the UK, and Ireland, 53 individuals (30%) were from Scandinavia and Northern Russia, and four individuals were from Iceland (2%) (ICES, 2016). The data collected

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to date suggest that the proportion of salmon in the mackerel catches has been relatively stable over the time period, and ranged from 4.7 to 6.2 salmon per 1000 tonnes of mackerel (ICES, 2014). The Icelandic Directorate of Fisheries plans to continue screening for salmon bycatch in the mackerel fishery. Further analysis of samples is ongoing, and is expected to provide further information on the distribution and origin of salmon off the east and west coasts of Iceland.

2.3.7.3 New approaches to estimating bycatch in pelagic fisheries New approaches are being investigated by a new national Norwegian research project to further improve information on bycatch in pelagic fisheries. These approaches include testing for salmon DNA in water (also called environmental DNA or eDNA) from commercial landings of pelagic fish. This approach can be used to assess the presence or absence of salmon but not the number of individuals in each landing. Another potential approach for studying bycatch of salmon in fisheries is to utilise automatic detections of salmon PIT (Passive Integrated Tags) tags when screening landings of pelagic fish. In 2015 the Working Group received information from the Institute of Marine Research (IMR; Bergen, Norway), related to a new tagging initiative and widescale tag screening programme for mackerel and Norwegian Spring-spawning herring in the Northeast Atlantic, with approximately 50 000 mackerel and 30 000 herring being tagged annually (ICES, 2015). Screening of commercial landings currently takes place at 16 European (UK, Iceland, Norway, Faroes) factories processing pelagic fish for human consumption, with plans for installing detectors at further factories in 2018. Any tagged salmon in the catches will be detected during automatic screening of pelagic fish landings. The use of PIT tags for salmon is increasing rapidly, and in 2017 more than 120 000 salmon were released with such tags. Lists of unknown tags detected at factories have in previous years been distributed to countries with PIT-tagging programmes, and salmon post-smolts in catches have been identified. An updated list is expected to be released soon and will be distributed to the National Tagging co- ordinators and to the members of the Working Group.

However, for more efficient identification of the origin of PIT tagged salmon detected in catches processed at pelagic fish factories, or tags detected in other fisheries, it is recommended that lists of individual PIT tag numbers or codes identifying the origin, source or programme of the tags are recorded and made available in a public database, coordinated on a European scale to facilitate identification of individual tagged fish taken in marine fisheries or surveys back to the source.

2.3.7.4 Advances in stock identification and genetic mixed fishery analysis The estimation of stock-specific exploitation is imperative to fisheries management and the conservation of biodiversity, particularly in instances where fisheries simultaneously exploit mixtures of stocks. Mixed-stock harvests for Atlantic salmon occur at several locations in the Northwest Atlantic including the waters around West Greenland, Labrador and St Pierre and Miquelon. Attempts to develop large-scale genetic base- lines for Atlantic salmon to date have utilized microsatellite loci and largely resolved broad regional groups (Bradbury et al., 2015; Bradbury et al., 2016; Gilbey et al., 2017). Nonetheless, finer scale resolution is often warranted for salmon conservation and management. In a recent paper (Jeffery et al., in press) describe a range-wide genetic baseline for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from North American and European rivers. This single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) baseline was constructed using a combi- nation of published data and additional genotyping of 286 range-wide Atlantic salmon

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populations (Figure 2.3.7.2). This baseline, though targeted to North American populations, provides accurate range wide assignment to 29 regional groups spanning the North Atlantic. This baseline was applied to disentangle the stock composition of individuals in the West Greenland Atlantic salmon fishery for 2017. Genetic mixture analysis revealed that 74% of individuals were North American in origin, largely from three regions; Gulf of St Lawrence, Gaspé Peninsula and Labrador. European individuals originated from the UK and Ireland. Further attempts to refine the spatial scale of genetic individual assignment have been recently described for the Labrador fishery (Bradbury et al., 2018; Sylvester et al., 2017). Bradbury et al. (2018) used large panels of sequenced microsatellites to conduct fine geographic scale individual assignment to the Labrador fishery (Figure 2.3.7.3). Using 101 sequenced loci, they identified 26 groups across 36 different rivers for which accurate assignment was possible. This increased the number of identifiable groups in Lab- rador from three to 26. Assignment of fishery sampled individuals indicated that most individuals were sampled less than 200 km from their region/river of origin. Sylvester et al. (2017) used sequencing of highly targeted amplicon panels to achieve highly accurate river-specific assignment to twelve rivers within Lake Melville Labrador.

2.3.8 Update on poor juvenile recruitment in UK (England & Wales) The poor recruitment of juvenile salmonids, particularly salmon fry, was a cause of significant concern in 2016 in many rivers in UK (England and Wales). Aside from falling numbers of adult returns on many catchments, the main causes were thought to be unusually warm winter temperatures and extreme flows which, through various mechanisms, adversely affected spawning success. This poor recruitment was reflected in a very poor smolt run in 2017 (less than half the previous five year average) on an index river in southern England where almost all the smolts migrate as one-year-olds. On the majority of rivers in England and Wales, two-year-old smolts predominate. In general, juvenile (fry) recruitment in England and Wales in 2017 was better than in 2016.

2.3.9 Progress in stock assessment models; embedding Atlantic salmon stock assessment within an integrated Bayesian life cycle modelling framework The Working Group previously reviewed developments in modelling and forecasting the abundance of Atlantic salmon using the Bayesian life cycle model (ICES, 2015; 2016; 2017). The life cycle model improves on the stock assessment approach currently used by ICES to estimate abundance of post-smolts at sea before any fisheries (Pre Fishery Abundance; PFA), and to forecast the influence of catch options at sea on the returns in the different jurisdictions in Europe and North America (ICES, 2017). It also provides a framework to improve understanding of the drivers and mechanisms of changes in Atlantic salmon population dynamics and productivity in the North Atlantic. The previous version of the life cycle model reviewed in 2017, was applied to six stock units in NAC and seven stock units in Southern NEAC, where the populations of all stock units follow the same life-history processes but with stock-specific parameters and data inputs. Stock units of Northern NEAC were not included because of differences in the available time-series, which only cover the period after 1983. In 2018, the Working Group reviewed an extension of the life cycle model to eleven stock units in Northern NEAC (Figure 2.3.9.1). The model has been applied to time- series of data that extend from 1971 to 2014. The oldest part of the time-series (1971–

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1982) had been previously excluded for the Norwegian stock units because of high uncertainty of the data. These historical data were now considered by increasing uncertainty around return estimates to account for the higher uncertainty for the historical part of the time-series. The model provides estimates of trends in marine productivity (expressed as post-smolt survival rate to January 1 of the first winter at sea) and the proportion maturing as one-sea-winter salmon for all stock units in North- ern NEAC (Figure 2.3.9.2). The results provide a broad overview of Atlantic salmon population dynamics in the Northern NEAC area and provides further evidence of a decline in the average marine survival over the time-series, along with a slight increase in the proportion of early maturing fish for almost all stocks from the 1970s to the 1990s, followed by a decrease for some stock units. Future developments include embedding the three stock complexes within one single unique life cycle model. Setting the dynamics of all stock units in NAC, Southern NEAC and Northern NEAC in a single hierarchical model will provide the opportunity for modelling covariation in the dynamics of the different populations that share migration routes and feeding areas at sea, and which are harvested in mixed-stock fisheries, particularly at West Greenland for NAC and Southern NEAC. This will form the basis for forecasting home-water returns in all stock units based on catch options for high seas fisheries that may harvest several (if not all) stock units. A workshop of experts from the main salmon producing jurisdictions took place in Halifax in early De- cember 2017 in which methodological advancements and improvements to the data inputs were discussed and agreed by participants and the Working Group. Improve- ments of data inputs will be incorporated in the new model to facilitate the consideration of the life cycle model as an improvement and alternative to the current assessment and forecast model used for providing catch advice.

2.3.10 A conceptual framework for evaluating marine mortality in Atlantic salmon A framework that seeks to provide a basis for conceptualising marine survival issues in Atlantic salmon was presented to the Working Group. This conceptual framework (Likely Suspects) aims to provide coherent guidance on how future research on marine survival can be identified and prioritised. The framework places candidate mortality factors within an overall spatio-temporal framework covering the freshwater migration and marine phases of the life cycle. Key geographical areas and periods where mortality factors are known or thought to operate are characterised as ecosystem domains. An example of candidate domains is shown in Figure 2.3.10.1 as key areas on the post-smolt migration route where hypoth- esised shifts in migration pathway due to prevailing ocean conditions (SALSEA- Merge, 2012) may impact subsequent mortality. Clearly, domains can be identified at various locations, ranging from freshwater to overwintering feeding areas, and will be associated with different mortality factors. Similarly, mortality factors associated with some local domains at or near individual rivers will be encountered by only a few stocks, whereas at larger domains in the ocean, for example in overwintering/feeding areas, the mortality factors will be encountered by many stocks as they coalesce in that area. The process of identifying the various domains and matching candidate mortality factors is intended to conceptually partition out the marine life cycle into key times and areas where various mortality factors are known or thought to operate. The overall objective is to prompt specific testable hypotheses about the operation of the factors

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involved and hence aid targeting of research to further refine the estimates of the potential scale of, and variation in, mortality at each part of the marine phase. Trying to populate the domains directs research to particular topics, with the objective over time being to firm up the numbers at the domains. A useful strategy may be to concentrate research priorities on domains where sus- pected losses are greatest and/or at domains where managers can do something about the pressures (e.g. predation, bycatch, water quality, barriers, contaminants, etc.). For example, results from the increasing number and geographical spread of tracking studies of marine migration are yielding data on early marine survival, while planned eDNA based studies on bycatch of post-smolts in pelagic fisheries will potentially yield data applicable to different domains (see Section 2.3.7). The outcome of a workshop held in November 2017 was also reported, at which salmon scientists from the Atlantic and Pacific regions investigated how such a framework could be set up and the potential for further development beyond a high level conceptual view. Drawing jointly upon experience in both oceans with marine survival trends and mortality drivers, the workshop reached several conclusions: • The framework shares many of the characteristics of conceptual frameworks developed in the Pacific area and the workshop agreed the framework will at a minimum provide a basis for conceptualising marine survival issues in Atlantic salmon and will act as a focus for discussion and development of research priorities. • The framework should include the management drivers applicable at various scales, from river to ocean. • A programme could subsequently be developed to evolve the framework from a high level conceptual framework towards building an ecosystem modelling framework(s) and decision support tool.

In practical terms, the next phase would focus on particular domains and quantify mortality where possible, and also begin to examine the underlying mechanistic relationships between the pressures and response variables and how these influence salmon mortality. It is evident that salmon scientists, oceanographers and climate scientists must develop and investigate research avenues together. All of this complexity across different domains at different scales cannot be represented right at the start, so the approach must develop based on what is known (or thought to be the case) about the ecosystem. The approach is to start anyway and build as information on functional relationships becomes available (this is where the targeting and prioritising of research becomes important). It will be necessary to recognise the gaps and the weaknesses and work to fill in the unknowns, including use of simulations to fill in the gaps in empirical data. Further details of the likely suspects framework approach and its proposed future development, are available in the workshop report on the Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST) website: http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org

The Working Group recognise the value of developing high level conceptual frameworks which may lead to hypothesis-led research into sources of and partitioning of marine mortality in Atlantic salmon. The Working Group notes that ICES encourages the use of their ecosystem databases and products to assist with developing such

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frameworks and research into the underlying mechanistic relationships between variability of ecosystem drivers at particular domains and trends in salmon mortality.

2.3.11 Update on the Workshop on Current Status of Knowledge, Data, and Research Efforts on Atlantic Salmon at Greenland The waters off the coast of West Greenland serve as an important summer and autumn feeding area for future maiden two sea-winter spawners from Southern Europe and North America. Given the constraints of poor marine productivity and the importance of this life-history type to the overall productivity of these stocks plus the difficulty and associated expense of sampling Atlantic salmon in the ocean, the West Greenland fishery sampling programme provides an opportunity to conduct studies to further the understanding of this critical life stage. The sampling programme also provides critical data to assess the effects of the West Greenland salmon fishery on homewater stocks. The Atlantic Salmon Research Joint Venture (ASRJV is a collaborative research partnership with the objective of promoting and facilitating collaborative research to address important and urgent knowledge gaps and threats affecting North American wild Atlantic salmon at all life-history stages and throughout its geographic range. This is a newly formed partnership, which aims to bring together experts from provincial agencies, scientific institutes, indigenous groups, non-government organizations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to better understand and manage North American Atlantic salmon stocks. As a partner in the ASRJV, the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) annually provides funds for ASRJV partner projects through the Oceans and Freshwater Science Contribution Program and also funded the workshop to review the past and ongoing studies of Atlantic salmon at West Greenland and to review the current sampling programme. The workshop was held from December 7–9, 2017 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. A total of 18 attendees from North America and Europe participated. A number of specific objectives were developed for the workshop: 1 ) Review historical/current state of knowledge (literature review and data inventory) of Atlantic salmon at the summer feeding area off the coast of West Greenland; 2 ) review current research efforts on Atlantic salmon at the summer feeding area off the coast of West Greenland; 3 ) review inventory of archived databases (sampling database, genetic assignment database, etc.) and samples (scales, tissue, etc.) available from Atlantic salmon collected at the summer feeding area of the coast of West Greenland; 4 ) compile future data needs and gaps; 5 ) develop short list of research themes/projects to address future data needs and gaps; 6 ) develop recommendations for improving future fishery sampling efforts; and 7 ) develop protocols for providing access to database(s) and archived samples for collaborating researchers.

The workshop participants concluded that it is critical to continue the sampling programme at Greenland. The programme was considered to be well coordinated and implemented consistently, and provides critical input data in support of ICES

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assessments. It was noted that it would be cost-effective to link new research endeav- ours investigating the marine dynamics of Atlantic salmon in the Greenland area to the existing programme rather than sending research vessels to the Labrador Sea for example. It was also noted that further engagement by the Government of Greenland would be welcome to enhance the sampling programme as it currently stands. A number of recommendations were also made and supported: 1 ) Further effort should be put into understanding the potential biases caused by the evolution of the sampling programme from research surveys to non- random sampling at factories to random sampling from local markets and factories within individual communities. 2 ) Re-analysis of historic survey and sampling catch data is warranted. 3 ) Region of Origin (ROO) assignments should be conducted on various archived samples sets (e.g. historical Labrador Sea survey samples). 4 ) Consideration should be given to organizing a joint workshop between At- lantic salmon researchers and oceanographers to assist in compiling and understanding the numerous environmental and oceanographic datasets needed to support future collaborative Atlantic salmon investigations. 5 ) The ICES WGNAS sampling tables do not match the re-analysis of the database, and efforts should be made to rectify discrepancies. All changes should be clearly identified and explained within the ICES WGNAS report. Suggested improvements to the sampling database should be incorporated. 6 ) A comprehensive inventory of the archive scale samples should be conducted. 7 ) Efforts should be undertaken to harmonize the method and location of archived tissue samples for genetic analysis. 8 ) The current infrastructure and process for maintaining the sampling database is adequate for the current needs and should be maintained. 9 ) Efforts to advertise the existence of the sampling database and archive samples via poster/oral presentations and a peer-reviewed manuscript should be pursued. 10 ) There was support for further research investigating the impacts of changing energy dynamics of marine phase Atlantic salmon and their prey. 11 ) There was support for increased telemetry-based investigations into the marine migration dynamics using Atlantic salmon available at Greenland (e.g. acoustic, PSAT, and the new ROAM telemetry approaches). 12 ) Consideration should be given to organizing a workshop or a series of conference calls to outline the current state of knowledge of stable isotopes and their ability to further our understanding on Atlantic salmon marine dynamics. Consideration should also be given to support the further refine- ment of the isoscape of the North Atlantic. 13 ) Further engagement and participation by the Government of Greenland and the Greenland Institute for Natural Resources in the sampling programme is warranted. 14 ) A number of recommendations related to database management and storage, data access, and sample access for the future were also made.

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Further detail and context can be found in the Workshop report, which is being finalized and will be published in one of the participating laboratories’ reference document series in the near future.

2.3.12 Progress with establishing scale archive/ biochronology repositories NASCO’s International Salmon Research Board (IASRB) has recognised the high value of archival scale collections that, as a result of advances in analytical methods, can now be used for genetic, stable isotope and growth studies. Additional information may be obtained in future in response to further advances in analytical methods. There is some concern that these collections may be lost unless appropriate arrangements are in place to archive them and ensure their safe storage so that they may be available for analysis. It was recognised that even if the scales themselves are not lost, the information (metadata) accompanying them could be lost or damaged while in storage. In 2016, it was recognised that NASCO, through the IASRB, could play a role in identifying such scale collections, raising their profile with a view to safeguarding them for future use. The Working Group considered several new initiatives with regard to scale archive collections and the establishment of permanent and secure repositories, which are being developed by individual parties. (Unlocking the Archive, Ireland, National Fund- ing 2017 to 2020): SAMARCH (EU Interreg UK/France, 2017 to 2022): Norwegian Research project (National Funding 2016 to 2018): (AST/Freshwater Biological Associ- ation (FBA)). Common issues were identified with regard to establishing physical repositories of samples and a database to retain and manage the information, scale images and growth information and to allow ease of analyses and retrieval of data and samples. The Work- ing Group recognised the value in holding a workshop in the near future on fish scale sample archives and coordinating shared use of scale archives and data with the following such issues as: • Recognising there is a century or more of samples, with various recording methods. • Physical housing (rehousing) and storage of large and old archives. • Preservation and restoration of older samples. • Aligning approaches and work flows for scale processing and reading effi- ciency. • Logging the samples, best practice and use of standard nomenclature that is universally accepted among the scientific community (inter-operability). • Geographic descriptions of source or origin: adapting files to be modelled in GIS uniformly between jurisdictions. • Quality assurance - Recording errors and inconsistencies in data. • Extracting data - Interoperability and ease of analysis of data. • Interchangeable databases between workers/jurisdictions. • Comparability of datasets and need for cross calibration. • Image storage: reducing space and cost Identification and management of archives samples for contribution to studies requiring destructive sampling (isotope analyses, genetic analyses, etc.). • Allocating credit to many workers involved in collecting and maintaining archives. • Ensuring data integrity after funded projects are complete.

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2.4.1 Report of WGERAAS WGERAAS met on 18–22 February 2013 in Belfast, Northern Ireland; 12–16 May 2014 at ICES HQ, Copenhagen, Denmark; and on 10–12 November 2015 for a third and final time at that same location. At the 2013 meeting the Working Group decided that the development of a ‘classification system’ for rebuilding and recovery actions for Atlantic salmon (ToRa) would be best achieved by the development of a river-specific database; ‘Database on Effective- ness of Recovery Actions for Atlantic Salmon’ (DBERAAS). Local experts provided a range-wide overview of conservation status, programme goals, population stressors and the benefits of recovery actions. To further highlight the results from DBERAAS detailed case studies were compiled and presented on a number of rivers, providing ‘on-the-ground’ examples of the effects of stressors, benefit of actions, and the results of recovery and rebuilding programmes. For DBERAAS, data were received for 568 rivers from USA, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Ireland, UK (England & Wales), and UK (Northern Ireland) (Table 2.4.1). In addition, details of 15 case studies were received from USA, Canada, Russian Federation, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, UK (England & Wales), Germany, and France (Table 2.4.1). 40% of rivers entered in DBERAAS had full or substantial populations, 8% were extirpated, for 19% population status was unknown, with the remaining 33% having moderate, low, or very low populations. 45% of rivers had restoration or recovery actions taken, 26% had no restoration or recovery action taken, and for 29% of rivers this information was not available. An analysis of DBERAAS suggested that climate change (mainly expressed as low marine survival within the database), barriers to migration, and habitat destruction were the most common stressors having a high or very high negative impact on Atlantic salmon populations. Aquaculture was not listed as having a high or very high impact, but that is probably a result of the absence of data in DBERAAS from countries with substantial open-cage aquaculture for Atlantic salmon such as UK (Scotland), Canada and Norway. Improvements in river connectivity, improvements in water quality, and habitat restoration were the three actions most likely to have a high or very high benefit to recovery and restoration actions. The case studies were largely in agreement with the results from DBERAAS, and further highlighted that successful restoration and recovery actions are generally characterised by being conducted on stocks experiencing relatively high marine survival, with few stressors acting on the stock thereby reducing synergistic and additive effects. Successful recovery /restoration activities addressed most or all stressors, and did not rely solely on stocking. Out of the 15 case studies five achieved the project goals, nine did not achieve project goals, and two claimed partial achievement of project goals. What common characteristics defined successful restoration or recovery actions? Based on the analysis of case studies and DBERAAS it appears that a successful recovery or restoration programmes for Atlantic salmon are characterised by: • A limited number of stressors acting on the population;

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• Successfully addressing all or most stressors acting on the population; • Conducted in an area of high average levels of marine survival; • Not mainly relying on stocking as a recovery/restoration action.

It has to be noted that a restoration or recovery programme that does not reach its goals (e.g. re-establish a self-sustaining population, increase population to attain CL) can nonetheless be very valuable. Such programmes can still reduce short-term extirpation risks and/or allow populations time to adapt to global stressors such as climate change. The value of such outcomes should not be underestimated. The WGERAAS was tasked to provide recommendations on appropriate recovery/ rebuilding actions for Atlantic salmon. As a general guiding principle the WG acknowledges that healthy and diverse habitat is needed to support healthy and resilient salmon populations. Further recommendations are: • Recovery and restoration programmes should principally be founded on habitat restoration and protection combined with sound management based on population monitoring; • Habitat restoration should aim for a healthier and more dynamic natural state compared to current conditions; • Stocking poses substantial risks to wild salmon populations and a time-limited stocking programme should generally only be considered in cases where population extirpation is imminent and all other fishery management and habitat restoration interventions have been realised; • Pre-project assessments should establish the need for restoration action, identify stressors and appropriate actions; • Modelling population responses to actions under different stressor scenar- ios as part of the pre-project phase can be a very informative exercise to determine possible outcomes of different actions; • Restoration and recovery projects should include set milestones, have mid- project and post-project evaluations, and have set end date; • Provide improved documentation relating to all restoration and recovery projects for Atlantic salmon, and a recommendation that after completion an in-depth evaluation and analysis exercise should be conducted, and results published so others can benefit from lessons learned.

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The Working Group noted that hatchery intervention strategies aimed at preventing extirpation and maintaining genetic diversity could be implemented in instances where there is a high risk of extirpation and where measures aimed to restore habitat or improve connectivity might not provide a timely increase in abundance.

2.4.2 Establishment of a captive breeding Programme in Scotia-Fundy region of Canada In 2010, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) identified the Southern Upland, Eastern Cape Breton, and Outer Bay of Fundy population assemblages of Atlantic salmon, referred to as Designatable Units (DUs), that comprise Canada’s Scotia-Fundy stock unit as Endangered. Fisheries and Oceans Can- ada (DFO) has completed Scientific Recovery Potential Assessments (ICES, 2014), So- cio-Economic Analyses, and public consultations for these DUs to inform the decision on whether or not they will be listed under Canada’s Species at Risk Act. Since Atlantic Salmon populations in the Southern Upland region of Scotia-Fundy have reached critically low abundance and the smolt-to-1SW adult salmon return rate on the LaHave River (Southern Upland index river) has declined to very low values (less than 1% over the past four years), DFO initiated a modest captive-breeding programme. The captive breeding programme is aimed at preserving genetic diversity and reducing the risk of extirpation of two key river populations, and the DU, until recovery planning is in place and longer term decisions are made. Founders for this programme will include: several hundred smolt obtained from both the St Mary’s and LaHave rivers in 2016; a similar targeted number of smolt to be collected from these two rivers in 2018; and kelt obtained from the St Mary’s river in 2016.

2.5 Reports from ICES expert group relevant to North Atlantic salmon

2.5.1 WGRECORDS The Working Group on the Science Requirements to Support Conservation, Restora- tion and Management of Diadromous Species (WGRECORDS) provides a topical forum for the coordination of ICES activities relating to species, which use both freshwater and marine environments to complete their life cycles; like eel, Atlantic salmon, sea trout, lampreys, shads, smelts, etc. The Group considers progress and future requirements in the field of diadromous science and management and organizes Expert Groups, Theme Sessions and Symposia. There is also a significant role in coordinating with other science and advice Working Groups in ICES. The WGRECORDS was renamed the WGDIAD for 2018 and beyond, to facilitate recognition of the role of the WG. The 2017 chairs were Russell Poole (Ireland) and Johan Dannewitz (Sweden). The required self-evaluation by the group in 2017 indicated a continuing need of a coordination group for diadromous species to assist EGs in achieving their goals within the framework of the Science plan, keep ICES abreast of important issues relating to diadromous fish species and ensure these issues are communicated to relevant EGs and SGs within both SCICOM and ACOM. A new draft Resolution for the period 2018– 2020 was proposed and subsequently accepted, including a change of acronym to WGDIAD and a new co-chair, Dennis Ensing (UK), elected to replace outgoing co-chair Russell Poole (Ireland). At the 2017 meeting in Fort Lauderdale, USA, September 19th, the group discussed the following topics relevant to Atlantic salmon:

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• Final reports of Working Group on the Effectiveness of Recovery Actions for Atlantic Salmon (WGERAAS) and WKCCISAL (Potential Impacts of Cli- mate Change on Atlantic Salmon Stock Dynamics). • International Year of the Salmon (IYS) - progress and engagement by ICES. • Initiation of a pan-regional diadromous subgroup (DSG) within the Re- gional Coordination Groups (RCG) of the EU DC-MAP to coordinate and identify data collection needs for diadromous species (including Atlantic salmon) in relation to the EU data collection regulation.

The next meeting of WGDIAD will be held at the ICES ASC 2018 in Hamburg, Ger- many, 24–27 September.

2.6 ICES and the International Year of the Salmon Further progress on developing an International Year of the Salmon was made during 2017. Primary Partners have been identified as North Pacific Anadromous Fish Com- mission (NPAFC) and North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) - international inter-governmental organizations established to conserve anadromous salmon in the North Pacific and Atlantic oceans respectively http://www.npafc.org/new/science_IYS.html and //www.nasco.int/iys.html An update on three specific activities under IYS relevant to the Working Group, ICES and NASCO was provided. 1 ) Progress with developing the “Likely Suspects” A conceptual framework for evaluating marine mortality in Atlantic salmon was reported in Section 2.3.10. 2 ) An overview of the process being used by IYS to identify and promote sig- nature scientific research projects (IYS Prospectus) to be considered under the IYS banner is currently in development by a subgroup of the IYS coordinating committees. Overlapping research priorities between NASCO’s International Atlantic Salmon Research Board and the NPAFC were compiled by IYS NPAFC Secretariat Staff using the IASRB Inventory of Marine Research in January 2018. The projects were categorized by the five IYS themes: status of salmon, salmon in a changing salmosphere, new frontiers, human dimension, and information systems. The IASRB projects were examined for the ‘Degree of Overlap’ with Pacific high priority projects. The degree of overlap was listed as ‘ongoing interest in methods/results’ or ‘im- mediate interest and high degree of overlap’. There were 40 of 52 projects that were listed in the inventory as ‘ongoing’ or ‘new entry’ (not listed as completed), which were determined to be of interest to the IYS. Further development of the IYS prospectus is expected to continue and will be considered at the NPAFC annual meeting and Scientific Workshop on Pacific Salmon Production in a Changing Climate in May 2018. 3 ) An update on the progress with the International Year of the Salmon, 2019 , Symposium ‘Managing the Atlantic salmon in a rapidly changing environment - management challenges and possible responses’ was provided to the Working Group. The symposium is expected to be comprised of three main elements i.e. 3.1 ) Scientific overviews and setting the scene; 3.2 ) Management challenges under the main themes of NASCO;

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3.3 ) Outreach and responses to issues raised.

The symposium will be held alongside the NASCO Annual Meeting in 2019 in Norway and the proceedings are expected to be published as part of the outreach programme under IYS.

2.7 NASCO has asked ICES to provide a compilation of tag releases by country in 2017 Data on releases of tagged, finclipped and other marked salmon in 2017 were provided to the Working Group and are compiled as a separate report (ICES, WGNAS Adden- dum, 2018). In summary (Table 2.7.1), approximately 2.8 million salmon were marked in 2017, a decrease from the 3.2 million fish marked in 2016. The adipose clip was the most commonly used primary mark (2.19 million), with coded wire microtags (CWT) (0.332 million) the next most common primary mark and 133 873 fish were marked with external tags. Most marks were applied to hatchery-origin juveniles (2.70 million), while 76 712 wild juveniles and 10 625 adults were also marked. The use of PIT tags, Data Storage Tags (DSTs), radio and/or sonic transmitting tags (pingers) has increased in recent years and in 2017, 132 725 salmon were tagged with these tag types (Table 2.7.1) which was twice as many as in 2016 (64 669). The Working Group noted that not all electronic tags were being reported in the tag compilation. Tag users should be encouraged to include these tags or tagging programmes as this greatly facilitates identification of the origin of tags recovered in fisheries or tag scanning programmes in other jurisdictions. A recommendation has been developed in Section 2.3.7.3 relating to the creation of a database to record PIT tags and programmes using PIT tags on a European scale.

Since 2003, the Working Group has reported information on marks being applied to farmed salmon to facilitate tracing the origin of farmed salmon captured in the wild in the case of escape events. In the USA, genetic “marking” procedures have been adopted, where broodstock are genetically screened and the resulting database is used to match genotyped escaped farmed salmon to a specific parental mating pair and subsequent hatchery of origin, stocking group, and marine site the individual escaped from.

2.8 NASCO has asked ICES to identify relevant data deficiencies, monitoring needs and research requirements Issues pertinent to particular Commission areas are included in subsequent sections and, where appropriate, carried forward to the recommendations (Annex 8).

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Table 2.1.1.1. Total reported nominal catch of salmon by country (in tonnes round fresh weight), 1960–2017. (2017 figures include provisional data).

NAC Area NEAC (N. Area) NEAC (S. Area) Faroes & Greenland Total Unreported catches UK UK UK East West Reported Year Canada USA St. P&M Norway Russia Iceland Sweden Denmark Finland Ireland (E & W) (N.Irl.) (Scotl.) France Spain Faroes Grld. Grld. Other Nominal NASCO International (1) (2) (3) Wild Ranch (4) Wild Ranch (15) (5,6) (6,7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) Catch Areas (13) waters (14) 1960 1 636 1 - 1 659 1 100 100 - 40 0 - - 743 283 139 1 443 - 33 - - 60 - 7 237 - - 1961 1 583 1 - 1 533 790 127 - 27 0 - - 707 232 132 1 185 - 20 - - 127 - 6 464 - - 1962 1 719 1 - 1 935 710 125 - 45 0 - - 1 459 318 356 1 738 - 23 - - 244 - 8 673 - - 1963 1 861 1 - 1 786 480 145 - 23 0 - - 1 458 325 306 1 725 - 28 - - 466 - 8 604 - - 1964 2 069 1 - 2 147 590 135 - 36 0 - - 1 617 307 377 1 907 - 34 - - 1 539 - 10 759 - - 1965 2 116 1 - 2 000 590 133 - 40 0 - - 1 457 320 281 1 593 - 42 - - 861 - 9 434 - - 1966 2 369 1 - 1 791 570 104 2 36 0 - - 1 238 387 287 1 595 - 42 - - 1 370 - 9 792 - - 1967 2 863 1 - 1 980 883 144 2 25 0 - - 1 463 420 449 2 117 - 43 - - 1 601 - 11 991 - - 1968 2 111 1 - 1 514 827 161 1 20 0 - - 1 413 282 312 1 578 - 38 5 - 1 127 403 9 793 - - 1969 2 202 1 - 1 383 360 131 2 22 0 - - 1 730 377 267 1 955 - 54 7 - 2 210 893 11 594 - - 1970 2 323 1 - 1 171 448 182 13 20 0 - - 1 787 527 297 1 392 - 45 12 - 2 146 922 11 286 - - 1971 1 992 1 - 1 207 417 196 8 17 1 - - 1 639 426 234 1 421 - 16 - - 2 689 471 10 735 - - 1972 1 759 1 - 1 578 462 245 5 17 1 - 32 1 804 442 210 1 727 34 40 9 - 2 113 486 10 965 - - 1973 2 434 3 - 1 726 772 148 8 22 1 - 50 1 930 450 182 2 006 12 24 28 - 2 341 533 12 670 - - 1974 2 539 1 - 1 633 709 215 10 31 1 - 76 2 128 383 184 1 628 13 16 20 - 1 917 373 11 877 - - 1975 2 485 2 - 1 537 811 145 21 26 0 - 76 2 216 447 164 1 621 25 27 28 - 2 030 475 12 136 - - 1976 2 506 1 3 1 530 542 216 9 20 0 - 66 1 561 208 113 1 019 9 21 40 <1 1 175 289 9 327 - - 1977 2 545 2 - 1 488 497 123 7 9 1 - 59 1 372 345 110 1 160 19 19 40 6 1 420 192 9 414 - - 1978 1 545 4 - 1 050 476 285 6 10 0 - 37 1 230 349 148 1 323 20 32 37 8 984 138 7 682 - - 1979 1 287 3 - 1 831 455 219 6 11 1 - 26 1 097 261 99 1 076 10 29 119 <0,5 1 395 193 8 118 - - 1980 2 680 6 - 1 830 664 241 8 16 1 - 34 947 360 122 1 134 30 47 536 <0,5 1 194 277 10 127 - - 1981 2 437 6 - 1 656 463 147 16 25 1 - 44 685 493 101 1 233 20 25 1 025 <0,5 1 264 313 9 954 - - 1982 1 798 6 - 1 348 364 130 17 24 1 - 54 993 286 132 1 092 20 10 606 <0,5 1 077 437 8 395 - - 1983 1 424 1 3 1 550 507 166 32 27 1 - 58 1 656 429 187 1 221 16 23 678 <0,5 310 466 8 755 - - 1984 1 112 2 3 1 623 593 139 20 39 1 - 46 829 345 78 1 013 25 18 628 <0,5 297 101 6 912 - - 1985 1 133 2 3 1 561 659 162 55 44 1 - 49 1 595 361 98 913 22 13 566 7 864 - 8 108 - - 1986 1 559 2 3 1 598 608 232 59 52 2 - 37 1 730 430 109 1 271 28 27 530 19 960 - 9 255 315 - 1987 1 784 1 2 1 385 564 181 40 43 4 - 49 1 239 302 56 922 27 18 576 <0,5 966 - 8 159 2 788 - 1988 1 310 1 2 1 076 420 217 180 36 4 - 36 1 874 395 114 882 32 18 243 4 893 - 7 737 3 248 - 1989 1 139 2 2 905 364 141 136 25 4 - 52 1 079 296 142 895 14 7 364 - 337 - 5 904 2 277 - 1990 911 2 2 930 313 141 285 27 6 13 60 567 338 94 624 15 7 315 - 274 - 4 925 1 890 180-350

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Table 2.1.1.1. (continued). Total reported nominal catch of salmon by country (in tonnes round fresh weight), 1960–2017. (2017 figures include provisional data).

NAC Area NEAC (N. Area) NEAC (S. Area) Faroes & Greenland Total Unreported catches UK UK UK East West Reported Year Canada USA St. P&M Norway Russia Iceland Sweden Denmark Finland Ireland (E & W) (N.Irl.) (Scotl.) France Spain Faroes Grld. Grld. Other Nominal NASCO International (1) (2) (3) Wild Ranch (4) Wild Ranch (15) (5,6) (6,7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) Catch Areas (13) waters (14) 1991 711 1 1 876 215 129 346 34 4 3 70 404 200 55 462 13 11 95 4 472 - 4 106 1 682 25-100 1992 522 1 2 867 167 174 462 46 3 10 77 630 171 91 600 20 11 23 5 237 - 4 119 1 962 25-100 1993 373 1 3 923 139 157 499 44 12 9 70 541 248 83 547 16 8 23 - - - 3 696 1 644 25-100 1994 355 0 3 996 141 136 313 37 7 6 49 804 324 91 649 18 10 6 - - - 3 945 1 276 25-100 1995 260 0 1 839 128 146 303 28 9 3 48 790 295 83 588 10 9 5 2 83 - 3 629 1 060 - 1996 292 0 2 787 131 118 243 26 7 2 44 685 183 77 427 13 7 - 0 92 - 3 136 1 123 - 1997 229 0 2 630 111 97 59 15 4 1 45 570 142 93 296 8 4 - 1 58 - 2 364 827 - 1998 157 0 2 740 131 119 46 10 5 1 48 624 123 78 283 8 4 6 0 11 - 2 395 1 210 - 1999 152 0 2 811 103 111 35 11 5 1 62 515 150 53 199 11 6 0 0 19 - 2 247 1 032 - 2000 153 0 2 1 176 124 73 11 24 9 5 95 621 219 78 274 11 7 8 0 21 - 2 912 1 269 - 2001 148 0 2 1 267 114 74 14 25 7 6 126 730 184 53 251 11 13 0 0 43 - 3 069 1 180 - 2002 148 0 2 1 019 118 90 7 20 8 5 93 682 161 81 191 11 9 0 0 9 - 2 654 1 039 - 2003 141 0 3 1 071 107 99 11 15 10 4 78 551 89 56 192 13 9 0 0 9 - 2 457 847 - 2004 161 0 3 784 82 111 18 13 7 4 39 489 111 48 245 19 7 0 0 15 - 2 157 686 - 2005 139 0 3 888 82 129 21 9 6 8 47 422 97 52 215 11 13 0 0 15 - 2 155 700 - 2006 137 0 3 932 91 93 17 8 6 2 67 326 80 29 192 13 11 0 0 22 - 2 028 670 - 2007 112 0 2 767 63 93 36 6 10 3 58 85 67 30 171 11 9 0 0 25 - 1 548 475 - 2008 158 0 4 807 73 132 69 8 10 9 71 89 64 21 161 12 9 0 0 26 - 1 721 443 - 2009 126 0 3 595 71 126 44 7 10 8 36 68 54 16 121 4 2 0 0,8 26 - 1 318 343 - 2010 153 0 3 642 88 147 42 9 13 13 49 99 109 12 180 10 2 0 1,7 38 - 1 610 393 - 2011 179 0 4 696 89 98 30 20 19 13 44 87 136 10 159 11 7 0 0,1 27 - 1 629 421 - 2012 126 0 3 696 82 50 20 21 9 12 64 88 58 9 124 10 7 0 0,5 33 - 1 412 403 - 2013 137 0 5 475 78 116 31 11 4 11 46 87 84 4 119 11 5 0 0,0 47 - 1 270 306 - 2014 118 0 4 490 81 51 18 24 6 9 58 57 54 5 84 12 6 0 0,1 58 - 1 134 287 - 2015 140 0 4 583 80 94 31 11 7 9 45 63 68 3 68 16 5 0 1,0 56 - 1 284 325 - 2016 135 0 5 612 56 87 31 6 3 9 51 58 86 4 27 6 5 0 1,5 26 - 1 208 335 - 2017 112 0 3 666 47 73 28 7 12 12 32 72 49 3 26 10 2 0 0,3 28 - 1 182 353 Average 2012-2016 131 0 4 571 75 80 26 15 6 10 53 71 70 5 84 11 6 0 1 44 - 1 262 331 - 2007-2016 138 0 4 636 76 99 35 12 9 10 52 78 78 11 121 10 6 0 1 36 - 1 413 373 -

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 41

Table 2.1.1.1. (continued). Total reported nominal catch of salmon by country (in tonnes round fresh weight), 1960–2017. (2017 figures include provisional data).

Key: 1. Includes estimates of some local sales, and, prior to 1984, by-catch. 9. Weights estimated from mean weight of fish caught in Asturias (80-90% of Spanish catch). 2. Before 1966, sea trout and sea charr included (5% of total). 10. Between 1991 & 1999, there was only a research fishery at Faroes. In 1997 & 1999 no fishery took place; 3. Figures from 1991 to 2000 do not include catches taken the commercial fishery resumed in 2000, but has not operated since 2001. in the recreational (rod) fishery. 11. Includes catches made in the West Greenland area by Norway, Faroes, 4 From 1990, catch includes fish ranched for both commercial and angling purposes. Sweden and Denmark in 1965-1975. 5. Improved reporting of rod catches in 1994 and data derived from carcase tagging 12. Includes catches in Norwegian Sea by vessels from Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Norway and Finland. and log books from 2002. 13. No unreported catch estimate available for Canada in 2007 and 2008. 6. Catch on River Foyle allocated 50% Ireland and 50% N. Ireland. Data for Canada in 2009 and 2010 are incomplete. 7. Angling catch (derived from carcase tagging and log books) first included in 2002. No unreported catch estimate available for Russia since 2008. 8. Data for France include some unreported catches. 14. Estimates refer to season ending in given year. 15. Catches from hatchery-reared smolts released under programmes to mitigate for hydropower development

schemes; returning fish unable to spawn in the wild and exploited heavily.

42 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 2.1.1.2. Total reported nominal catch of salmon in homewaters by country (in tonnes round fresh weight), 1960–2017. (2017 figures include provisional data). S = Salmon (2SW or MSW fish). G = Grilse (1SW fish). Sm = small. Lg = large; T = S + G or Lg + Sm.

NAC Area NEAC (N. Area) NEAC (S. Area) Russia Iceland Sweden Ireland UK UK(N.I.) Year Canada (1) USA Norway (2) (3) Wild Ranch Wild Ranch Denmark Finland (4,5) (E&W) (4,6) UK(Scotland) France Spain Total Lg Sm T T S G T T T T T T T S G T S G T T T S G T T T T 1960 - - 1 636 1 - - 1 659 1 100 100 - 40 0 ------743 283 139 971 472 1 443 - 33 7 177 1961 - - 1 583 1 - - 1 533 790 127 - 27 0 ------707 232 132 811 374 1 185 - 20 6 337 1962 - - 1 719 1 - - 1 935 710 125 - 45 0 ------1 459 318 356 1 014 724 1 738 - 23 8 429 1963 - - 1 861 1 - - 1 786 480 145 - 23 0 ------1 458 325 306 1 308 417 1 725 - 28 8 138 1964 - - 2 069 1 - - 2 147 590 135 - 36 0 ------1 617 307 377 1 210 697 1 907 - 34 9 220 1965 - - 2 116 1 - - 2 000 590 133 - 40 0 ------1 457 320 281 1 043 550 1 593 - 42 8 573 1966 - - 2 369 1 - - 1 791 570 104 2 36 0 ------1 238 387 287 1 049 546 1 595 - 42 8 422 1967 - - 2 863 1 - - 1 980 883 144 2 25 0 ------1 463 420 449 1 233 884 2 117 - 43 10 390 1968 - - 2 111 1 - - 1 514 827 161 1 20 0 ------1 413 282 312 1 021 557 1 578 - 38 8 258 1969 - - 2 202 1 801 582 1 383 360 131 2 22 0 ------1 730 377 267 997 958 1 955 - 54 8 484 1970 1 562 761 2 323 1 815 356 1 171 448 182 13 20 0 ------1 787 527 297 775 617 1 392 - 45 8 206 1971 1 482 510 1 992 1 771 436 1 207 417 196 8 17 1 ------1 639 426 234 719 702 1 421 - 16 7 574 1972 1 201 558 1 759 1 1 064 514 1 578 462 245 5 17 1 - - - 32 200 1 604 1 804 442 210 1 013 714 1 727 34 40 8 356 1973 1 651 783 2 434 3 1 220 506 1 726 772 148 8 22 1 - - - 50 244 1 686 1 930 450 182 1 158 848 2 006 12 24 9 767 1974 1 589 950 2 539 1 1 149 484 1 633 709 215 10 31 1 - - - 76 170 1 958 2 128 383 184 912 716 1 628 13 16 9 566 1975 1 573 912 2 485 2 1 038 499 1 537 811 145 21 26 0 - - - 76 274 1 942 2 216 447 164 1 007 614 1 621 25 27 9 603 1976 1 721 785 2 506 1 1 063 467 1 530 542 216 9 20 0 - - - 66 109 1 452 1 561 208 113 522 497 1 019 9 21 7 821 1977 1 883 662 2 545 2 1 018 470 1 488 497 123 7 9 1 - - - 59 145 1 227 1 372 345 110 639 521 1 160 19 19 7 755 1978 1 225 320 1 545 4 668 382 1 050 476 285 6 10 0 - - - 37 147 1 082 1 229 349 148 781 542 1 323 20 32 6 514 1979 705 582 1 287 3 1 150 681 1 831 455 219 6 11 1 - - - 26 105 922 1 027 261 99 598 478 1 076 10 29 6 340 1980 1 763 917 2 680 6 1 352 478 1 830 664 241 8 16 1 - - - 34 202 745 947 360 122 851 283 1 134 30 47 8 119 1981 1 619 818 2 437 6 1 189 467 1 656 463 147 16 25 1 - - - 44 164 521 685 493 101 844 389 1 233 20 25 7 351 1982 1 082 716 1 798 6 985 363 1 348 364 130 17 24 1 - 49 5 54 63 930 993 286 132 596 496 1 092 20 10 6 275 1983 911 513 1 424 1 957 593 1 550 507 166 32 27 1 - 51 7 58 150 1 506 1 656 429 187 672 549 1 221 16 23 7 298 1984 645 467 1 112 2 995 628 1 623 593 139 20 39 1 - 37 9 46 101 728 829 345 78 504 509 1 013 25 18 5 882 1985 540 593 1 133 2 923 638 1 561 659 162 55 44 1 - 38 11 49 100 1 495 1 595 361 98 514 399 913 22 13 6 667 1986 779 780 1 559 2 1 042 556 1 598 608 232 59 52 2 - 25 12 37 136 1 594 1 730 430 109 745 526 1 271 28 27 7 742 1987 951 833 1 784 1 894 491 1 385 564 181 40 43 4 - 34 15 49 127 1 112 1 239 302 56 503 419 922 27 18 6 611 1988 633 677 1 310 1 656 420 1 076 420 217 180 36 4 - 27 9 36 141 1 733 1 874 395 114 501 381 882 32 18 6 591 1989 590 549 1 139 2 469 436 905 364 141 136 25 4 - 33 19 52 132 947 1 079 296 142 464 431 895 14 7 5 197 1990 486 425 911 2 545 385 930 313 146 280 27 6 13 41 19 60 - - 567 338 94 423 201 624 15 7 4 327

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 43

Table 2.1.1.2. (continued). Total reported nominal catch of salmon in homewaters by country (in tonnes round fresh weight), 1960–2017. (2017 figures include provisional data). S = Salmon (2SW or MSW fish). G = Grilse (1SW fish). Sm = small. Lg = large; T = S + G or Lg + Sm.

NAC Area NEAC (N. Area) NEAC (S. Area) Russia Iceland Sweden Ireland UK UK(N.I.) Year Canada (1) USA Norway (2) (3) Wild Ranch Wild Ranch Denmark Finland (4,5) (E&W) (4,6) UK(Scotland) France Spain Total Lg Sm T T S G T T T T T T T S G T S G T T T S G T T T T 1991 370 341 711 1 535 342 876 215 129 346 34 4 3 53 17 70 - - 404 200 55 285 177 462 13 11 3 530 1992 323 199 522 1 566 301 867 167 174 462 46 3 10 49 28 77 - - 630 171 91 361 238 599 20 11 3 847 1993 214 159 373 1 611 312 923 139 157 499 44 12 9 53 17 70 - - 541 248 83 320 227 547 16 8 3 659 1994 216 139 355 0 581 415 996 141 136 313 37 7 6 38 11 49 - - 804 324 91 400 248 648 18 10 3 927 1995 153 107 260 0 590 249 839 128 146 303 28 9 3 37 11 48 - - 790 295 83 364 224 588 10 9 3 530 1996 154 138 292 0 571 215 787 131 118 243 26 7 2 24 20 44 - - 685 183 77 267 160 427 13 7 3 035 1997 126 103 229 0 389 241 630 111 97 59 15 4 1 30 15 45 - - 570 142 93 182 114 296 8 3 2 300 1998 70 87 157 0 445 296 740 131 119 46 10 5 1 29 19 48 - - 624 123 78 162 121 283 8 4 2 371 1999 64 88 152 0 493 318 811 103 111 35 11 5 1 29 33 63 - - 515 150 53 142 57 199 11 6 2 220 2000 58 95 153 0 673 504 1 176 124 73 11 24 9 5 56 39 96 - - 621 219 78 161 114 275 11 7 2 873 2001 61 86 148 0 850 417 1 267 114 74 14 25 7 6 105 21 126 - - 730 184 53 150 101 251 11 13 3 016 2002 49 99 148 0 770 249 1 019 118 90 7 20 8 5 81 12 94 - - 682 161 81 118 73 191 11 9 2 636 2003 60 81 141 0 708 363 1 071 107 99 11 15 10 4 63 15 75 - - 551 89 56 122 71 193 13 7 2 432 2004 68 94 161 0 577 207 784 82 111 18 13 7 4 32 7 39 - - 489 111 48 159 88 247 19 7 2 133 2005 56 83 139 0 581 307 888 82 129 21 9 6 8 31 16 47 - - 422 97 52 126 91 217 11 13 2 133 2006 55 82 137 0 671 261 932 91 93 17 8 6 2 38 29 67 - - 326 80 28 118 75 193 13 11 1 999 2007 49 63 112 0 627 140 767 63 93 36 6 10 3 52 6 59 - - 85 67 30 100 71 171 11 9 1 511 2008 57 100 157 0 637 170 807 73 132 69 8 10 9 65 6 71 - - 89 64 21 110 51 161 12 9 1 680 2009 52 74 126 0 460 135 595 71 122 44 7 10 8 25 13 38 - - 68 54 16 83 37 121 5 2 1 278 2010 53 100 153 0 458 184 642 88 124 36 9 13 13 37 13 49 - - 99 109 12 111 69 180 10 2 1 525 2011 69 110 179 0 556 140 696 89 98 30 20 19 13 29 15 44 - - 87 136 10 126 33 159 11 7 1 579 2012 52 74 126 0 534 162 696 82 50 20 21 9 12 31 33 64 - - 88 58 9 84 40 124 10 8 1 368 2013 66 72 138 0 358 117 475 78 116 31 10 4 11 32 14 46 - - 87 84 4 74 45 119 11 4 1 217 2014 41 77 118 0 319 171 490 81 51 18 24 6 9 31 26 58 - - 56 54 5 58 26 84 12 6 1 071 2015 54 86 140 0 430 153 583 80 94 31 11 7 9 32 13 45 - - 63 68 3 39 29 68 16 5 1 224 2016 56 79 135 0 495 117 612 56 87 31 6 3 9 37 14 51 - - 58 86 5 18 8 27 6 5 1 177 2017 55 57 112 0 503 164 666 47 73 28 7 12 12 27 5 32 72 49 3 19 7 26 10 2 1 150 Average 2012-2016 54 78 131 0 427 144 571 75 80 26 14 6 10 33 20 53 71 70 5 55 30 84 11 5 1211 2007-2016 55 83 138 0 487 149 636 76 97 35 12 9 10 37 15 53 78 78 12 80 41 121 10 6 1363

1. Includes estimates of some local sales, and, prior to 1984, by-catch. 5. Improved reporting of rod catches in 1994 and data derived from carcase tagging and log books from 2002. 2. Before 1966, sea trout and sea charr included (5% of total). 6. Angling catch (derived from carcase tagging and log books) first included in 2002. 3. Figures from 1991 to 2000 do not include catches of the recreational (rod) fishery. 4. Catch on River Foyle allocated 50% Ireland and 50% N. Ireland.

44 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 2.1.2.1. Numbers of fish caught and released in rod fisheries along with the % of the total rod catch (released + retained) for countries in the North Atlantic where records are available, 1991–2017. Figures for 2017 are provisional.

Year Canada 4 US A Iceland Russia 1 UK (E& W) UK (Scotland) Ireland UK (N Ireland) 2 Denmark Sweden Norway 3 Total % of total Total % of total Total % of total Total % of total Total % of total Total % of total Total % of total Total % of total Total % of total Total % of total Total % of total rod rod rod rod rod rod rod rod rod rod rod catch catch catch catch catch catch catch catch catch catch catch

1991 22 167 28 239 50 3 211 51 1992 37 803 29 407 67 10 120 73 1993 44 803 36 507 77 11 246 82 1 448 10 1994 52 887 43 249 95 12 056 83 3 227 13 6 595 8 1995 46 029 46 370 100 11 904 84 3 189 20 12 151 14 1996 52 166 41 542 100 669 2 10 745 73 3 428 20 10 413 15 1997 50 009 50 333 100 1 558 5 14 823 87 3 132 24 10 965 18 1998 56 289 53 273 100 2 826 7 12 776 81 4 378 30 13 464 18 1999 48 720 50 211 100 3 055 10 11 450 77 4 382 42 14 846 28 2000 64 482 56 0 - 2 918 11 12 914 74 7 470 42 21 072 32 2001 59 387 55 0 - 3 611 12 16 945 76 6 143 43 27 724 38 2002 50 924 52 0 - 5 985 18 25 248 80 7 658 50 24 058 42 2003 53 645 55 0 - 5 361 16 33 862 81 6 425 56 29 170 55 2004 62 316 57 0 - 7 362 16 24 679 76 13 211 48 46 279 50 255 19 2005 63 005 62 0 - 9 224 17 23 592 87 11 983 56 46 165 55 2 553 12 606 27 2006 60 486 62 1 100 8 735 19 33 380 82 10 959 56 47 669 55 5 409 22 302 18 794 65 2007 41 192 58 3 100 9 691 18 44 341 90 10 917 55 55 660 61 15 113 44 470 16 959 57 2008 54 887 53 61 100 17 178 20 41 881 86 13 035 55 53 347 62 13 563 38 648 20 2 033 71 5 512 5 2009 52 151 59 0 - 17 514 24 9 096 58 48 436 67 11 422 39 847 21 1 709 53 6 696 6 2010 55 895 53 0 - 21 476 29 14 585 56 15 012 60 78 041 70 15 142 40 823 25 2 512 60 15 041 12 2011 71 358 57 0 - 18 593 32 14 406 62 64 870 73 12 688 38 1 197 36 2 153 55 14 303 12 2012 43 287 57 0 - 9 752 28 4 743 43 11 952 65 63 628 74 11 891 35 5 014 59 2 153 55 18 611 14 2013 50 630 59 0 - 23 133 34 3 732 39 10 458 70 54 002 80 10 682 37 1 507 64 1 932 57 220 9 15 953 15 2014 41 613 54 0 - 13 616 41 8 479 52 7 992 78 37 355 82 6 537 37 1 065 50 1 918 61 445 15 20 281 19 2015 65 440 64 0 - 21 914 31 7 028 50 8 113 79 46 836 84 9 383 37 111 100 2 989 70 725 19 25 433 19 2016 68 925 65 0 - 22 751 43 10 793 76 9 700 80 49 469 90 10 280 41 280 100 3 801 72 345 18 25 198 21 2017 49 513 66 0 - 21 746 41 10 110 77 11 174 83 44 257 90 11 259 36 126 100 4 435 69 681 15 25 924 21 5-yr mean 2012-2016 53 979 60 18 233 35 6 955 52 9 643 74 50 258 82 9 755 37 1 595 75 2 559 63 21 095 18 % change on 5-year -8 10 19 15 45 48 16 12 -12 10 15 -4 -92 34 73 10 23 16 mean

Key: 1 Since 2009 data are either unavailable or incomplete, however catch-and-release is understood to have remained at similar high levels as before. 2 Data for 2006-2009, 2014 is for the DCAL area only; the figures from 2010 are a total for UK (N.Ireland). Data for 2015, 2016 and 2017 is for R. Bush only. 3 The statistics were collected on a voluntary basis, the numbers reported must be viewed as a minimum. 4 Released fish in the kelt fishery of New Brunswick are not included in the totals for Canada.

45 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 2.1.3.1. Estimates of unreported catches by various methods in tonnes within national EEZs in the Northeast Atlantic, North American and West Greenland Commissions of NASCO, 1987–2017.

Year North-East North-America West Total Atlantic Greenland 1987 2 554 234 - 2 788 1988 3 087 161 - 3 248 1989 2 103 174 - 2 277 1990 1 779 111 - 1 890 1991 1 555 127 - 1 682 1992 1 825 137 - 1 962 1993 1 471 161 < 12 1 644 1994 1 157 107 < 12 1 276 1995 942 98 20 1 060 1996 947 156 20 1 123 1997 732 90 5 827 1998 1 108 91 11 1 210 1999 887 133 12,5 1 032 2000 1 135 124 10 1 269 2001 1 089 81 10 1 180 2002 946 83 10 1 039 2003 719 118 10 847 2004 575 101 10 686 2005 605 85 10 700 2006 604 56 10 670 2007 465 - 10 475 2008 433 - 10 443 2009 317 16 10 343 2010 357 26 10 393 2011 382 29 10 421 2012 363 31 10 403 2013 272 24 10 306 2014 256 21 10 287 2015 298 17 10 325 2016 298 27 10 335 2017 318 25 10 353 Mean 2012-2016 297 24 10 331 Notes: There were no estimates available for Canada in 2007-08 and estimates for 2009-10 are incomplete. No estimates have been available for Russia since 2008. Unreported catch estimates are not provided, Spain and St. Pierre et Miquelon. No estimates were available for France for 2016.

46 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 2.1.3.2. Estimates of unreported catches by various methods in tonnes by country within national EEZs in the Northeast Atlantic, North American and West Greenland Commissions of NASCO, 2017.

Unreported as % of Total Unreported as % of Total

Unreported North Atlantic Catch National Catch Commission Area Country Catch t (Unreported + Reported) (Unreported + Reported)

NEAC Denmark 6 0.4 50 NEAC Finland 6 0.4 19 NEAC Iceland 2 0.2 2 NEAC Ireland 7 0.5 10 NEAC Norway 285 17.9 30 NEAC Sweden 2 0.1 9 NEAC UK (E & W) 6 0.4 12 NEAC UK (N.Ireland) 0.3 0.2 10 NEAC UK (Scotland) 3 0.2 11 NAC USA 0 0.0 0 NAC Canada 25 1.8 23 WGC Greenland 10 0.7 36

Total Unreported Catch * 353 23

Total Reported Catch

of North Atlantic salmon 1 181

* No unreported catch estimate available for France and Russia in 2017. Unreported catch estimates not provided for Spain & St Pierre et Miquelon.

47 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 2.2.1.1. Production of farmed salmon in the North Atlantic area and in areas other than the North Atlantic (in tonnes round fresh weight), 1980–2017.

Year North Atlantic Area Outside the North Atlantic Area World-wide Norway UK Faroes Canada Ireland US A Iceland UK Russia Total Chile West West Australia Turkey Total Total (Scot.) (N.Ire.) Coast Coast US A Canada 1980 4 153 598 0 11 21 0 0 0 0 4 783 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 783 1981 8 422 1 133 0 21 35 0 0 0 0 9 611 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 611 1982 10 266 2 152 70 38 100 0 0 0 0 12 626 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 626 1983 17 000 2 536 110 69 257 0 0 0 0 19 972 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 972 1984 22 300 3 912 120 227 385 0 0 0 0 26 944 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 944 1985 28 655 6 921 470 359 700 0 91 0 0 37 196 0 0 0 0 0 0 37 196 1986 45 675 10 337 1 370 672 1 215 0 123 0 0 59 392 0 11 0 10 0 0 59 392 1987 47 417 12 721 3 530 1 334 2 232 365 490 0 0 68 089 41 196 0 62 0 299 68 388 1988 80 371 17 951 3 300 3 542 4 700 455 1 053 0 0 111 372 165 925 0 240 0 1 330 112 702 1989 124 000 28 553 8 000 5 865 5 063 905 1 480 0 0 173 866 1 860 1 122 1 000 1 750 0 5 732 179 598 1990 165 000 32 351 13 000 7 810 5 983 2 086 2 800 <100 5 229 035 9 478 696 1 700 1 750 300 13 924 242 959 1991 155 000 40 593 15 000 9 395 9 483 4 560 2 680 100 0 236 811 14 957 1 879 3 500 2 653 1 500 24 489 261 300 1992 140 000 36 101 17 000 10 380 9 231 5 850 2 100 200 0 220 862 23 715 4 238 6 600 3 300 680 38 533 259 395 1993 170 000 48 691 16 000 11 115 12 366 6 755 2 348 <100 0 267 275 29 180 4 254 12 000 3 500 791 49 725 317 000 1994 204 686 64 066 14 789 12 441 11 616 6 130 2 588 <100 0 316 316 34 175 4 834 16 100 4 000 434 59 543 375 859 1995 261 522 70 060 9 000 12 550 11 811 10 020 2 880 259 0 378 102 54 250 4 868 16 000 6 192 654 81 964 460 066 1996 297 557 83 121 18 600 17 715 14 025 10 010 2 772 338 0 444 138 77 327 5 488 17 000 7 647 193 107 655 551 793 1997 332 581 99 197 22 205 19 354 14 025 13 222 2 554 225 0 503 363 96 675 5 784 28 751 7 648 50 138 908 642 271 1998 361 879 110 784 20 362 16 418 14 860 13 222 2 686 114 0 540 325 107 066 2 595 33 100 7 069 40 149 870 690 195 1999 425 154 126 686 37 000 23 370 18 000 12 246 2 900 234 0 645 590 103 242 5 512 38 800 9 195 0 156 749 802 339 2000 440 861 128 959 32 000 33 195 17 648 16 461 2 600 250 0 671 974 166 897 6 049 49 000 10 907 0 232 853 904 827 2001 436 103 138 519 46 014 36 514 23 312 13 202 2 645 - 0 696 309 253 850 7 574 68 000 12 724 0 342 148 1 038 457 2002 462 495 145 609 45 150 40 851 22 294 6 798 1 471 - 0 724 668 265 726 5 935 84 200 14 356 0 370 217 1 094 885 2003 509 544 176 596 52 526 38 680 16 347 6 007 3 710 - 300 803 710 280 301 10 307 65 411 15 208 0 371 227 1 174 937 2004 563 914 158 099 40 492 37 280 14 067 8 515 6 620 - 203 829 190 348 983 6 645 55 646 16 476 0 427 750 1 256 940 2005 586 512 129 588 18 962 45 891 13 764 5 263 6 300 - 204 806 484 385 779 6 110 63 369 16 780 0 472 038 1 278 522 2006 629 888 131 847 11 905 47 880 11 174 4 674 5 745 - 229 843 342 376 476 5 811 70 181 20 710 0 473 178 1 316 520 2007 744 222 129 930 22 305 36 368 9 923 2 715 1 158 - 111 946 732 331 042 7 117 70 998 25 336 0 434 493 1 381 225 2008 737 694 128 606 36 000 39 687 9 217 9 014 330 - 51 960 599 388 847 7 699 73 265 25 737 0 495 548 1 456 147 2009 862 908 144 247 51 500 43 101 12 210 6 028 742 - 2 126 1 122 862 233 308 7 923 68 662 29 893 0 339 786 1 462 648 2010 939 575 154 164 45 391 43 612 15 691 11 127 1 068 - 4 500 1 215 128 123 233 8 408 70 831 31 807 0 234 279 1 449 407 2011 1 065 974 158 018 60 473 41 448 12 196 6 031 1 083 - 8 500 1 353 723 264 349 7 467 83 144 36 662 0 391 622 1 745 345 2012 1 232 095 162 223 76 564 52 951 12 440 - 2 923 - 8 754 1 547 950 399 678 8 696 79 981 43 982 0 532 337 2 080 287 2013 1 168 324 163 234 75 821 47 649 9 125 - 3 018 - 16 097 1 483 268 492 329 6 834 74 673 42 776 0 616 612 2 099 880 2014 1 258 356 179 022 86 454 29 988 9 368 - 3 965 - 18 675 1 585 828 644 459 6 368 54 971 41 591 0 747 389 2 333 217 2015 1 303 346 171 722 66 090 48 684 13 116 - 3 260 - 3 232 1 609 450 608 546 10 431 92 926 48 331 0 760 234 2 369 684 2016 1 233 619 162 817 68 271 33 011 16 300 - 8 420 - 12 857 1 535 295 532 225 8 017 90 511 56 115 0 686 868 2 222 163 2017 1 299 077 177 202 71 172 33 011 20 000 - 11 265 - 13 016 1 624 743 532 225 6 520 90 511 56 115 0 685 371 2 310 114 5-yr mean 2012-2016 1 239 148 167 804 74 640 42 457 12 070 4 317 11 923 1 552 358 535 447 8 069 78 612 46 559 0 668 688 2 125 683 % change on 5 6 -5 -22 66 161 9 5 -1 -19 15 21 2 9 5-year mean N D f 2017 i i l f i

48 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 2.2.1.1. (continued). Production of farmed salmon in the North Atlantic area and in areas other than the North Atlantic (in tonnes round fresh weight), 1980–2017.

Where production figures were not available for 2017, values as in 2016 were assumed.

West Coast USA = Washington State. Does not include ~243 000–263 000 individuals accidentally released by a netpen failure in summer 2017 (Clark et al., 2017).

Escaped fish were estimated to be between 3.6 and 4.5 kg each.

West Coast Canada = British Columbia.

Australia = Tasmania.

Source of production figures for non-Atlantic areas: http://www.fao.org/fishery/statistics/global-aquaculture-production/en

Data for UK (N. Ireland) since 2001 and data for East coast USA since 2012 are not publicly available.

Notes: Data for 2017 are provisional for many countries.

49 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 2.2.2.1. Production of ranched salmon in the North Atlantic (tonnes round fresh weight), 1980–2017.

UK(N.Ireland) Norway Total Year Iceland (1) Ireland (2) River Bush (2,3) Sweden (2) various facilities (2) production 1980 8,0 0,8 9 1981 16,0 0,9 17 1982 17,0 0,6 18 1983 32,0 0,7 33 1984 20,0 1,0 21 1985 55,0 16,0 17,0 0,9 89 1986 59,0 14,3 22,0 2,4 98 1987 40,0 4,6 7,0 4,4 56 1988 180,0 7,1 12,0 3,5 4,0 207 1989 136,0 12,4 17,0 4,1 3,0 172 1990 285,1 7,8 5,0 6,4 6,2 310 1991 346,1 2,3 4,0 4,2 5,5 362 1992 462,1 13,1 11,0 3,2 10,3 500 1993 499,3 9,9 8,0 11,5 7,0 536 1994 312,8 13,2 0,4 7,4 10,0 344 1995 302,7 19,0 1,2 8,9 2,0 334 1996 243,0 9,2 3,0 7,4 8,0 271 1997 59,4 6,1 2,8 3,6 2,0 74 1998 45,5 11,0 1,0 5,0 1,0 64 1999 35,3 4,3 1,4 5,4 1,0 47 2000 11,3 9,3 3,5 9,0 1,0 34 2001 13,9 10,7 2,8 7,3 1,0 36 2002 6,7 6,9 2,4 7,8 1,0 25 2003 11,1 5,4 0,6 9,6 1,0 28 2004 18,1 10,4 0,4 7,3 1,0 37 2005 20,5 5,3 1,7 6,0 1,0 35 2006 17,2 5,8 1,3 5,7 1,0 31 2007 35,5 3,1 0,3 9,7 0,5 49 2008 68,6 4,4 - 10,4 0,5 84 2009 44,3 1,1 - 9,9 - 55 2010 42,3 2,5 - 13,0 - 58 2011 30,2 2,5 - 19,1 - 52 2012 20,0 5,3 - 8,9 - 34 2013 30,7 2,8 - 4,2 - 38 2014 17,9 2,8 - 6,2 - 27 2015 31,4 4,7 - 6,6 - 43 2016 33,6 3,0 - 3,1 - 40 2017 27,9 2,8 - 11,6 - 42 5-yr mean 2011-2016 26,7 3,7 5,8 36 % change on 4 -25 100 17 5-year mean

1 From 1990 to 2000, catch includes fish ranched for both commercial and angling purposes. No commercial ranching since 2000. 2 Total yield in homewater fisheries and rivers. 3 The proportion of ranched fish was not assessed between 2008 and 2016 due to a lack of microtag returns. 50 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 2.3.2.1. Reported or estimated numbers of pink salmon in different countries.

COUNTRY NUMBER ESTIMATED NUMBER NUMBER TOTAL COMMENTS OF RIVERS NUMBER OF FISH OF FISH NUMBER OF WHERE OF FISH REMOVED OBSERVED INDIVIDUALS PINK CAUGHT IN IN REPORTED SALMON FISHERIES TARGETED REPORTED EFFORTS

Russia 220 000 220 000 Reported catch of 373.5 t, based on assumed mean weight of 1.7 kg Norway 272 3925 2454 5428 11,807

Finland 270 125 395 Numbers adjusted to allocate fish to Finland & Norway.

Sweden 6 80 80

Denmark 8 11 11

Iceland 35 66 66

Germany 2 2 1 3

France 2 1 1 2

UK (England & Wales) 8 208 208 UK (Scotland) 22 99 26 14 139

UK (N. Ireland) 2 1 1 2

Ireland 11 33 33

Greenland 2

Canada 2 3 3

USA 0

Total 369 224 698 2480 5570 232 750

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Table 2.4.1. Overview of number of case studies and Data Base on Effectiveness of Recovery Ac- tions for Atlantic Salmon (DBERAAS) river stock entries per nation for WGERAAS.

NATION REGION NUMBER RIVERS DBERAAS NUMBER CASE STUDIES Iceland N/S NEAC 84 0 Faroe Islands N NEAC 0 0 Norway N NEAC 0 1 Sweden N NEAC/HELCOM 77 1 Russian Federation N NEAC/HELCOM 0 1 Finland N NEAC/HELCOM 69 1 Poland HELCOM 0 0 Lithuania HELCOM 0 0 Estonia HELCOM 12 0 Denmark N NEAC/HELCOM 9 0 Germany S NEAC/HELCOM 4 1 France S NEAC 0 2 Spain S NEAC 10 0 Ireland S NEAC 148 4 UK (England & Wales) S NEAC 93 2 UK (Scotland) S NEAC 0 0 UK (Northern Ireland) S NEAC 19 0 Canada NAC 0 1 USA NAC 43 1 Greenland WGC 0 0

Total 568 15

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Table 2.7.1. Summary of Atlantic salmon tagged and marked in 2017 - 'Hatchery' and 'Wild' juvenile refer to smolts and parr.

Primary Tag or Mark

Country Origin Microtag External Adipose Other Total mark2 clip Internal1 Canada Hatchery Adult 0 2,052 0 2,086 4,138

Hatchery Juvenile 0 54 160,161 155 160,370 Wild Adult 0 2,299 0 89 2,388

Wild Juvenile 0 7,979 14,621 498 23,098

Total 0 12,384 174,782 2,828 189,994 Denmark Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile 76,500 20,500 273,950 0 370,950

Wild Adult 0 0 0 452 452

Wild Juvenile 0 0 0 500 500

Total 76,500 20,500 273,950 952 371,902 France Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile3 0 0 0 0 0

Wild Adult3 0 836 0 0 836

Wild Juvenile 0 3,503 0 0 3,503

Total 0 4,339 0 0 4,339

Iceland Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile 66,757 0 0 0 66,757

Wild Adult 0 272 0 0 272

Wild Juvenile 6,331 0 0 0 6,331

Total 73,088 272 0 0 73,360 Ireland Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile 149,862 0 0 0 149,862

Wild Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Wild Juvenile 9,135 0 0 0 9,135

Total 158,997 0 0 0 158,997 Norway Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile 11,000 6,000 0 101,711 118,711

Wild Adult 0 359 0 0 359

Wild Juvenile 0 388 0 15,969 16,357

Total 11,000 6,747 0 117,680 135,427 Russia Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile 0 0 1,204,587 0 1,204,587

Wild Adult 0 1,253 0 0 1,253

Wild Juvenile 0 0 0 0 0

Total 0 1,253 1,204,587 0 1,205,840 Spain Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile 0 87,570 0 0 87,570

Wild Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Wild Juvenile 0 0 0 0 0

Total 0 87,570 0 0 87,570

1 Includes other internal tags (PIT, ultrasonic, radio, DST, etc.). 2Includes Carlin, spaghetti, streamers, VIE, etc. 3 Includes external dye mark.

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Table 2.7.1. Continued. Summary of Atlantic salmon tagged and marked in 2017 - 'Hatchery' and 'Wild' juvenile refer to smolts and parr.

Primary Tag or Mark

Country Origin Microtag External Adipose Other Total mark2 clip Internal1 Sweden Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile 0 3000 167,886 0 170,886

Wild Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Wild Juvenile 0 500 0 0 500

Total 0 3,500 167,886 0 171,386 UK (England & Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0 Wales) Hatchery Juvenile 0 0 9,852 0 9,852

Wild Adult 0 692 0 0 692

Wild Juvenile 2,383 0 10,965 13,348

Total 2,383 692 20,817 0 23,892 UK (N. Ireland) Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile 9,936 0 47,735 0 57,671

Wild Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Wild Juvenile 0 0 0 0 0

Total 9,936 0 47,735 0 57,671 UK (Scotland) Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile 0 0 45,000 0 45,000

Wild Adult 0 302 0 0 302

Wild Juvenile 0 0 0 3,864 3,864

Total 0 302 45,000 3,864 49,166 USA Hatchery Adult 0 0 0 0 0

Hatchery Juvenile 0 0 258,058 3,323 261,381

Wild Adult 0 69 0 4,002 4,071

Wild Juvenile 0 0 0 76 76

Total 0 69 258,058 7,401 265,528 All Countries Hatchery Adult 0 2,052 0 2,086 4,138

Hatchery Juvenile 314,055 117,124 2,167,229 105,189 2,703,597

Wild Adult 0 6,082 0 4,543 10,625

Wild Juvenile 17,849 12,370 25,586 20,907 76,712

Total 331,904 137,628 2,192,815 132,725 2,795,072

1 Includes other internal tags (PIT, ultrasonic, radio, DST, etc.). 2Includes Carlin, spaghetti, streamers, VIE, etc. 3 Includes external dye mark.

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12,000 Northern Europe Southern Europe 10,000 North America Greenland & Faroes 8,000

6,000

4,000 Nominal catch (t)

2,000

0 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Figure 2.1.1.1. (a) Total reported nominal catch of salmon (tonnes round fresh weight) in four North Atlantic regions, 1960–2017.

3,500 Northern Europe 3,000 Southern Europe North America 2,500 Greenland & Faroes

2,000

1,500

1,000 Nominal catch (t)

500

0 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017

Figure 2.1.1.1. (b) Total reported nominal catch of salmon (tonnes round fresh weight) in four North Atlantic regions, 1997–2017.

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Canada Russia Norw ay Finland

200 100 1000 100

80 800 80 150 60 600 60 t 100 t t t 40 400 40 50 20 200 20 0 0 0 0 2010 2006 2008 2012 2014 2016 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Sw eden Iceland Denmark UK (Scotland)

50 250 20 250

40 200 200 15

30 150 150 t t t 10 t 20 100 100 5 10 50 50 0 0 0 0 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

UK (N. Ireland) Ireland UK (England & Wales) France

35 500 150 20 30 400 25 15 100 20 300 t t t 10t 15 200 50 10 5 100 5 0 0 0 0 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Spain

15 River

10 Estuary t

5 Coast

0 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016

Figure 2.1.1.2. Nominal catch (tonnes) taken in coastal, estuarine and riverine fisheries by country, 2004–2017. The way in which the nominal catch is partitioned among categories varies between countries, particularly for estuarine and coastal fisheries, see text for details. Note also that the y- axes scales vary.

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NAC NEAC(N) NEAC(S)

100% 100% 100% 90% 90% 90% 80% 80% 80% 70% 70% 70% 60% 60% 60% 50% 50% 50% 40% 40% 40% 30% 30% 30% 20% 20% 20% 10% 10% 10% 0% 0% 0% 2007 2009 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2015 2017 2011 2013 2015 2017 2007 2007 2009 2011 2013

NAC NEAC(N) NEAC(S)

200 1400 450

400 1200

350 150 1000 300

800 250 t t t100 600 200

150 400 50 100

200 50

0 0 0 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017

River

Estuary

Coast

Figure 2.1.1.3. Top panel - percentages of nominal catch taken in coastal, estuarine and riverine fisheries for the NAC area (2007–2017) and for NEAC northern and southern areas (2007–2017). Bot- tom panel - Nominal catches (tonnes) taken in coastal, estuarine and riverine fisheries for the NAC area (2005–2017) and for NEAC northern and southern areas (2007–2017). Note y-axes vary.

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9,000 Nominal catch 8,000 Total unreported 7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000 Catch (t) Catch 3,000

2,000

1,000

0 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Year

Figure 2.1.3.1. Nominal North Atlantic salmon catch and unreported catch in NASCO Areas, 1987– 2017.

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2,500,000 Outside North Atlantic Area North Atlantic Area 2,000,000

1,500,000

Production (t) Production 1,000,000

500,000

0 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Year

Figure 2.2.1.1. Worldwide farmed Atlantic salmon production, 1980–2017.

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600 Sweden

500 Norway

UK (N. Irl.) 400 Ireland

Iceland 300

Production (t) 200

100

0 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Year

Figure 2.2.2.1. Production of ranched salmon (tonnes round fresh weight) in the North Atlantic, 1980–2017.

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Figure 2.3.3.1. Historically confirmed distribution of the striped bass population of the southern Gulf of St Lawrence. The yellow star shows the location of the unique annually predictable spawning location that has produced recruitment for this population.

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Figure 2.3.3.2. Estimated abundances of adult Striped Bass spawners in the Northwest Miramichi estuary between 1994 and 2017. The estimates are shown on a logarithmic scale for visibility of the full range of abundance values over the time-series, from low abundances of approximately 5000 spawners during 1996 to 2000 to the 2017 high value of approximately 1 million fish. The figure is extracted from DFO (2018a).

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Figure 2.3.3.3. Location and dates of Striped Bass recaptured during summer 2017 in coastal waters north of Gaspe Québec, the previous northern limit of distribution for the southern Gulf of St Lawrence Striped Bass population. Initial tagging dates and locations for the recaptured bass have also been included. Figure and table extracted from DFO (2018a).

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Figure 2.3.3.4. The proportion of Striped Bass stomachs by date that were empty or contained Rain- bow Smelt, Atlantic Salmon smolt, and/or gaspereau in the May and June period from the Mira- michi River in 2013 to 2015. Only dates for which ≥3 stomach samples were collected are shown. The figure was extracted from DFO (2016).

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Figure 2.3.3.5. Examples of movement tracks of tagged Striped Bass and Atlantic Salmon smolts in the Miramichi estuary. Panels a through d represent movement patterns of an assumed ‘true’ smolt given its detection at the Strait of Belle Isle (SoBI). Panel b represents an individual with an ‘atyp- ical’ movement track of a smolt that was detected at SoBI. Panel e represents typical detection pattern of Striped Bass (assumed to represent true bass movement). Panel f shows a smolt movement pattern with an estimated assignment probability of 0.99 of being a Striped Bass pattern.

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Figure 2.3.3.6. Violin plots of posterior distributions of the cumulative probability of survival for a smolt of centered length 14.6 cm from the point of release to the head of tide arrays (upper row), to the bay arrays (lower row) on exit to the Gulf of St Lawrence for four rivers, 2003 to 2016. Yellow shading represents years when the SoBI array was not operating. Grey shading is the value over all years. The Southwest and Northwest Miramichi rivers are in Miramichi Bay. The Restigouche and Cascapedia rivers are in Chaleur Bay. Figure is from Chaput, G., Carr, J., Daniels, J., Jonsen, I., and Whoriskey, F. unpbl.).

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Figure 2.3.4.1. Counts and dates of acoustically tagged Atlantic salmon smolts and kelt from various Gulf of St Lawrence rivers crossing the Strait of Belle Isle receiver array in 2017.

Figure 2.3.7.1. Catches in kilos of Atlantic salmon taken during IESSNS surveys in the Northeast Atlantic in July 2017. This is the main survey where salmon would be expected to be taken in the survey nets.

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Figure 2.3.7.2. (a) Range-wide SNPs for Atlantic salmon following Jeffery et al., 2018 with eastern Atlantic groups highlighted. (b) North American Atlantic reporting groups indicated. Modified from Jeffery et al., In press.

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Figure 2.3.7.3. (A) Sequenced microsatellite baseline for Labrador Atlantic salmon following Brad- bury et al., 2018. Colors represent distinct reporting groups. (B) Distance of fisheries sampled individuals in the Labrador FSC fishery from the region or river of assignment.

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Figure 2.3.9.1. Schematic of the life cycle model applied to the 11 stock units of Northern NEAC. Variables in light blue are the main stages considered in the stage-structured model. The smolt-to- PFA survival and the proportion of maturing PFA are estimated for the time-series (1971 to 2014) and modelled as a random walk with covariation among stock units. Stock units of the Northern NEAC complex are potentially harvested by the mixed-stock fishery operating around the Faroes islands as 1SW maturing and non-maturing fish, and as 2SW fish.

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Figure 2.3.9.2. Time-series of estimates of smolt-to-PFA survival and proportion of maturing PFA, on the logit scale, for 11 stock units in Northern NEAC complex. Thin lines: medians of marginal posterior distributions for the 11 stock units. Thick lines are the average calculated for the 11 stock units.

Figure 2.3.10.1. An example of candidate domains on the post-smolt migration route where hypoth- esised shifts in migration pathway due to prevailing ocean conditions (SALSEA-Merge, 2012) may impact subsequent mortality.

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3 Northeast Atlantic Commission area

3.1 NASCO has requested ICES to describe the key events of the 2017 fisheries

3.1.1 Fishing at Faroes No fishery for salmon has been prosecuted since 2000.

3.1.2 Key events in NEAC homewater fisheries There were extraordinary occurrences of pink salmon in catches in several regions in 2017 and this issue is further addressed in Section 2.3. There were no other key events in homewater fisheries.

3.1.3 Gear and effort No significant changes in gear type used were reported in 2017; however, changes in effort were recorded. The number of gear units licensed or authorised in several of the NEAC area countries provides a partial measure of effort (Table 3.1.3.1), but does not take into account other restrictions, for example, closed seasons. In addition, there is no indication from these data of the actual number of licences actively utilized or the time each licensee fished. The numbers of gear units used to take salmon with nets and traps have declined markedly over the available time-series in all NEAC countries. This reflects the closure of many fisheries and increasingly restrictive measures to reduce levels of exploitation in many countries. There are fewer measures of effort in respect of in-river rod fisheries, and these indicate differing patterns over available time-series. However, anglers in all countries are making increasing use of catch-and-release (see below). Trends in effort are shown in Figures 3.1.3.1 and 3.1.3.2 (note: new version) for the Northern and Southern NEAC countries respectively. In the Northern NEAC area, driftnet effort in Norway accounted for the majority of the effort expended in the early part of the time-series. However, this fishery closed in 1989, reducing the overall effort substantially. The number of bag nets and bendnets in Norway has decreased for the past 15–20 years and in 2017, was the lowest in the time-series for bendnets. There was slight increase in the number of bag nets from the previous year. The number of gear units in the coastal fishery in the Archangelsk region, Russia, has been relatively stable but decreased in 2017 ending with the lowest figure in the time-series. The number of units in the in-river fishery at the Archangelsk region decreased markedly between 1996 and 2002 but has since remained relatively stable. The number of gear units licensed in UK (England & Wales) and Ireland (Table 3.1.3.1) was among the lowest reported in the time-series. In UK (Scotland) fixed engine and net and coble effort was the lowest in the time-series. For UK (Northern Ireland) driftnet, draftnet, bag nets and boxes decreased throughout the time-series and 2017 represents the fifth consecutive year that no commercial fishing activity occurred in coastal Northern Irish waters. Licence numbers then remained stable for over a decade, before decreasing from 2002 due to fishery closures. In France, number of nets in estuaries has reduced while the in-river effort has remained relatively stable after a marked reduction 1993. The 2017 figure shows a slight increase from the previous year. Rod effort trends, where available, have varied for different areas across the time-series (Table 3.1.3.1). In the Northern NEAC area, the number of anglers and fishing days in

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Finland showed a dramatic decrease in 2017 following a new fishery agreement between Finland and Norway with number of fishing days decreasing in River Teno from 31 923 in 2016 to 10 074 in 2017. In the Southern NEAC area, rod licence numbers increased from 2001 to 2011 in UK (England & Wales), but there was a marked increase in numbers in 2017 due to the introduction of a new free licence for young fishermen (18 years or younger). Over 7000 of the 35 162 licences issued can be related to these new licences. In Ireland, there was an apparent increase in the early 1990s owing to the introduction of one day licences. In France, the effort has been fairly stable throughout the time period.

3.1.4 Catches NEAC area catches are presented in Table 3.1.4.1. The provisional nominal catch in the NEAC area in 2017 (1039 t) was 11 t above the updated catch for 2016 (1028 t) and 4% and 16% below the previous five-year and ten-year averages respectively. Compared to the 1960–1980 time period average the 2017 nominal catch showed an 83% decrease. It should be noted that changes in nominal catch may reflect changes in exploitation rates and the extent of catch and release in rivers, in addition to stock size, and thus cannot be regarded as a direct indicator of abundance. The provisional total nominal catch in Northern NEAC in 2017 (877 t) was slightly higher than the updated catch for 2016 (842 t) and the previous five-year average (832 t), but 6% below the previous ten-year average. Catches in 2017 were close to or below long-term averages in most Northern NEAC countries although the catch in Norway has steadily increased from 475 t in 2013 to 666 t in 2017. In the Southern NEAC area the provisional total nominal catch for 2017 (162 t) was the lowest in the time-series, 24 t below the updated catch for 2016 (186 t) and was 34% and 47% below the previous five-year and ten-year averages respectively. Catches in 2016 were close to or below long-term averages in all Southern NEAC countries. The greatest reductions in catches in Southern NEAC was observed in UK (England & Wales) where the catch in 2017 (49 t) was 37 t below the catch in 2016 (86 t) and below the previous five and ten years means (70 and 78 t, respectively). Figure 3.1.4.1 shows the trends in nominal catches of salmon in the Southern and Northern NEAC areas from 1971 until 2017. The catch in the Southern NEAC area has declined over the period from about 4500 t in 1972 to 1975 to below 1000 t since 2003. The catch fell sharply in 1976, and between 1989 and 1991, and continues to show a steady decline over the last 15 years from over 1000 t to currently below 150 t. The catch in the Northern NEAC area declined over the time-series, although this decrease was less distinct than the reductions noted in the Southern NEAC area. The catch in the Northern NEAC area varied between 2000 t and 2800 t from 1971 to 1988, fell to a low of 962 t in 1997, and then increased to over 1600 t in 2001. Catch in the Northern NEAC area has exhibited a downward trend since and has been consistently below 1000 t since 2012. Thus, the catch in the Southern NEAC area, which comprised around 2/3 of the total NEAC catch in the early 1970s, has been lower than that in the Northern NEAC area since 1999, and has been around 1/5 of the total catch in the NEAC area in recent years.

3.1.5 Catch per unit of effort Catch per unit of effort (cpue) is a measure that can be influenced by various factors, such as fishing conditions, perceived likelihood of success and experience. Both cpue

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of net fisheries and rod cpue may be affected by measures taken to reduce fishing effort, for example, changes in regulations affecting gear. If changes in one or more factors occur, a pattern in cpue may not be immediately evident, particularly over larger areas. It is, however, expected that for a relatively stable effort, cpue can reflect changes in the status of stocks and stock size. Cpue may be affected by increasing rates of catch and release in rod fisheries. The cpue data are presented in Tables 3.1.5.1 to 3.1.5.6. The cpue for rod fisheries have been derived by relating the catch to rod days or angler season. Cpue for net fisheries were calculated as catch per licence-day, trap-month or crew-month. In the Southern NEAC area, cpue has decreased in the net fisheries in the SW and NW part of UK (England & Wales) and an increase were noticed in the NE part (Figure 3.1.5.1). The cpue for the net and coble fishery in UK (Scotland) show a general decline over the time-series with a slight increase in the most recent years (Table 3.1.5.5). The cpue for the fixed engine fishery has shown a slight increase since 2010, but in 2016– 2017 there was no information on effort due to changes in fishery regulations (Table 3.1.5.5). The cpue values for rod fisheries in UK (England &Wales) showed a general increasing trend to 2011, followed by a decrease until 2015, and an increase again in 2016 and 2017 (Table 3.1.5.4). In the Northern NEAC area the cpue for the commercial coastal net fisheries in the Archangelsk area, Russian Federation, showed a general decreasing trend until 2015 and an increase thereafter. The cpue for the Archangelsk in-river fishery has shown a general increase with a slight decrease in 2016 and 2017 (Figure 3.1.5.1 and Table 3.1.5.2). Other Russian river fisheries showed 2017 cpue figures that were predominantly above the means of the previous five years (Table 3.1.5.2). In Finland the cpue per angler season in the River Teno has been relatively stable over time (Figure 3.1.3.1), but the 2017 figures were clearly higher than in the previous year and the five-year means both for angler season and day (Table 3.1.5.1). For the River Naatamojoki, cpue figures for 2017 were at or lower than the long-term and five-year averages. A general increasing trend was observed for the cpue in the Norwegian net fisheries (Figure 3.1.5.1). Similarly, the cpue values in 2017 were higher than the long-term means both for bag nets and bendnets (Table 3.1.5.6).

3.1.6 Age composition of catches The percentage of 1SW salmon in NEAC catches is presented by country in Table 3.1.6.1 and shown separately for Northern and Southern NEAC countries in Figure 3.1.6.1. Except for Iceland, the proportion of 1SW salmon has declined for all countries over the period 1987–2016. The decline in the proportion of 1SW salmon is evident in both stock complexes. The overall percentage of 1SW fish in Northern NEAC catches remained reasonably consistent averaging 66% in the period 1987–2000 (range 61% to 72%), but has fallen in more recent years to 57% (range 48% to 69%), when greater variability among countries and years has also been evident. Comparing the two periods, the proportion of 1SW has significantly decreased in four northern countries (Finland, Norway, Russia, Swe- den), while a significant increase has been apparent for Iceland. On average, 1SW fish comprise a higher percentage of the catch in Iceland than in the other Northern NEAC countries in the period 2001–2017 (Table 3.1.6.1).

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In the Southern NEAC area, the percentage of 1SW fish in catches averaged 60% (range 49% to 64%) between 1987 and 2000 and 54% (range 44% to 63%) in 2001–2017. Com- paring the two periods, the percentage of 1SW salmon in Southern NEAC countries has decreased (Table 3.1.6.1), significantly so for Spain (data from the Asturias region).

3.1.7 Farmed and ranched salmon in catches The contribution of farmed and ranched salmon to national catches in the NEAC area in 2017 was again generally low in most countries, with the exception of Norway, Ice- land and Sweden, and is similar to the values reported in previous years. Such fish are included in assessments of the status of national stocks (Section 3.3.) for Norway. The estimated proportion of farmed salmon in Norwegian angling catches in 2017 was at the lower end of the range (3%) in the time-series, whereas the proportion in samples taken from Norwegian rivers in autumn was the lowest in the time-series (4%). No current data are available for the proportion of farmed salmon in coastal fisheries. The number of farmed salmon that escaped from Norwegian farms in 2017 is reported to be 15 000 fish (provisional figure), down from the previous year (132 000), and the smallest number in the time-series. An assessment of the likely effect of these fish on

the estimates of PFA has been reported previously (ICES, 2001). The release of smolts for commercial ranching purposes ceased in Iceland in 1998, but ranching for rod fisheries in two Icelandic rivers continued in 2017. Icelandic catches have traditionally been split into two separate categories, wild and ranched (Table 2.1.1.1). In 2017, 27.9 t were reported as ranched salmon in contrast to 72.6 t harvested as wild. Similarly, Swedish catches have been split into two separate categories, wild and ranched (Table 2.1.1.1). In 2017, 11.6 t were reported as ranched salmon in contrast to 6.5 t harvested as wild. Ranching occurs on a much smaller scale in Ireland and Nor- way. Some of these operations are experimental while for others harvesting does not occur solely at the release site.

3.1.8 National origin of catches

3.1.8.1 Catches of Russian salmon in northern Norway Previously the Working Group has reported on investigations of the coastal fisheries in northern Norway where genetic methods have been applied to analyse the stock composition of this mixed-stock fishery (ICES, 2015) based on results from the Kolarc- tic Salmon project (Kolarctic ENPI CBC programme 2007–2013) (Svenning et al., 2014). Overall, the incidence of Russian salmon in the catches varied strongly within season and among fishing regions, averaging 17% for 2011–2012 in the coastal catches in Finn- mark County, while nearly 50% of all salmon captured in Varangerfjord, close to the border, were of Russian origin. In autumn 2015, the Russian Federation and Norway signed the Memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Climate and Environment (Norway) and the Fed- eral Agency for Fishery (the Russian Federation) on cooperation in management of and monitoring and research on wild Atlantic salmon in Finnmark County (Norway) and the Murmansk region (the Russian Federation). The Joint Working Group was established under the Memorandum consisting of managers and scientists from each country as appointed by Parties. The first report of the Joint Working Group is in the pipeline for publication and the next meeting is scheduled for the second half of 2018.

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3.1.9 Exploitation indices for NEAC stocks Exploitation rates have been plotted for 1SW and MSW salmon from the Northern NEAC (1983 to 2017) and Southern NEAC (1971 to 2017) areas and are displayed in Figure 3.1.9.1. National exploitation rates are an output of the NEAC PFA Run-reconstruction Model. These were combined as appropriate by weighting each individual country’s exploitation rate to the reconstructed returns. Data gathered prior to the 1980’s represent estimates of national exploitation rates while post-1980s exploitation rates have often been subject to more robust analysis informed by projects such as the national coded wire-tagging programme in Ireland. The exploitation of 1SW salmon in both Northern NEAC and Southern NEAC areas has shown a general decline over the time-series (Figure 3.1.9.1), with a notable sharp decline in 2007 as a result of the closure of the Irish driftnet fisheries in the Southern NEAC area. The weighted exploitation rate on 1SW salmon in the Northern NEAC area was 41% in 2017 being at the same level as the previous five-year (40%) and ten- year (41%) averages. Exploitation on 1SW fish in the Southern NEAC complex was 12% in 2017, which also is roughly at the same level as the previous five-year (10%) and the ten-year (12%) averages. The exploitation rate of MSW fish also exhibited an overall decline over the time-series in both Northern NEAC and Southern NEAC areas (Figure 3.1.9.1), with a notable sharp decline in 2008. Exploitation on MSW salmon in the Northern NEAC area was 44% in 2017, being roughly at the same level as the previous five-year average (43%) but showing a decline from the ten-year average (48%). Exploitation on MSW fish in Southern NEAC was 12% in 2017, being at the same level as the previous five-year (11%) and ten-year (12%) averages. The rate of change of exploitation of 1SW and MSW salmon in Northern NEAC and Southern NEAC countries over the available time periods is shown in Figure 3.1.9.2. This was derived from the slope of the linear regression between time and natural log- arithm transformed exploitation rate. The relative rate of change of exploitation over the entire time-series indicates an overall reduction of exploitation in most Northern NEAC countries for 1SW and MSW salmon (Figure 3.1.9.2). Exploitation in Finland has been relatively stable over the time period whereas the largest rate of reduction has been for 1SW salmon in Russia. The Southern NEAC countries have also shown a general decrease in exploitation rate (Figure 3.1.9.2) on both 1SW and MSW components. The greatest rate of decrease shown for 1SW fish was in UK (Scotland), and for MSW fish in UK (England & Wales), while France (MSW) and Iceland (both 1SW and MSW) showed relative stability in exploitation rates during the time-series. Exploitation for 1SW salmon in France shows an increase.

3.2 Management objectives and reference points

3.2.1 NEAC conservation limits River-specific Conservation Limits (CLs) have been derived for salmon stocks in most countries in the NEAC area (France, Ireland, UK (England & Wales), UK (Northern Ireland), Finland, Norway and Sweden) and these are used in national assessments. In these cases, CL estimates for individual rivers are summed to provide country level estimates for these countries. River-specific CLs have also been derived for salmon stocks in UK (Scotland) and for a small number of rivers in Russia, but these are not yet used in national assessments. An interim approach has been developed for countries that do not use river-specific

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CLs in the national assessment. This approach is based on the establishment of pseudo- stock–recruitment relationships for national salmon stocks; further details are provided in the Stock Annex (Annex 6). CL estimates for all individual countries are summed to provide estimates for the Northern and Southern NEAC stock complexes (Table 3.2.1.1). These data are also used to estimate the Spawner Escapement Reserves (SERs, the CL increased to take account of natural mortality between the recruitment date, 1st January in the first sea winter, and return to homewaters). SERs are estimated for maturing and non-maturing 1SW salmon from the individual countries as well as Northern NEAC and Southern NEAC stock complexes (Table 3.2.1.1). The Working Group considers that the current national CL and SER levels may be less appropriate to evaluating the historical status of stocks (e.g. pre-1985), that in many cases have been estimated with less precision.

3.2.2 Progress with setting river-specific conservation limits

3.2.2.1 UK (Scotland) In UK (Scotland), 218 rivers have been identified which support salmon fisheries. In 2017, assessment of Scottish stocks was undertaken at the scale of the river stock, or on groups of smaller neighbouring rivers where rod fishery data were not yet available by river. In addition stocks associated with Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), designated under the EU Habitat’s Directive due to their importance for Atlantic salmon, were assessed separately. In 2017, a total 171 assessable areas were identified and formed the basis of the management measures implemented in 2018. Work is continuing to improve the reporting system with the aim that the assessment can be undertaken by river stock. In the absence of data on the egg requirements for different river types in Scotland, it is assumed that they fall into the range of CLs (1.1 to 9.8 eggs m-2) derived from inter- nationally monitored rivers at the same latitudes (Crozier et al., 2003). Egg requirement for a stock is estimated by raising CL by the available fluvial wetted area. A new approach to defining river-specific conservation limits is currently being developed. This method uses a Bayesian hierarchical modelling framework to generate posterior predictions of egg requirements for a limited number of Scottish rivers where stock and recruitment data are available. By pooling information from multiple rivers and incorporating information about local environmental covariates, egg requirement estimates can be transported to data-poor rivers. The importance of environmental covariates in determining egg requirements is assessed by measuring the accuracy of model predictions when predicting data for out-of-sample rivers.

3.3 Status of stocks

3.3.1 The NEAC PFA run-reconstruction model The Working Group uses a run-reconstruction model to estimate the PFA of salmon from countries in the NEAC area (Potter et al., 2004). PFA in the NEAC area is defined as the number of 1SW recruits on January 1st in the first sea winter. The model is generally based on the annual retained catch in numbers of 1SW and MSW salmon in each country, which are raised to take account of minimum and maximum estimates of non‐ reported catches and exploitation rates of these two sea‐age groups. These values are then raised to take account of the natural mortality between January 1st in the first sea winter and the mid‐date of return of the stocks to freshwater.

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Where the standard input data are themselves derived from other data sources, the raw data may be included in the model to permit the uncertainty in these analyses to be incorporated into the modelling approach. Some countries have developed alternative approaches to estimate the total returning stock, and the Working Group reports these changes and the associated data inputs in the year in which they are first implemented. For some countries, the data are provided in two or more regional blocks. In these instances, model output is provided for the regions and is also combined to provide stock estimates for the country as a whole. The input data for Finland comprise the total Finnish and Norwegian catches (net and rod) for the River Teno, and the Norwegian catches from this river are not included in the input data for Norway. A Monte Carlo simulation (10 000 trials) is used to estimate confidence intervals on the stock estimates. Further details of the model are provided in the Stock Annex (Annex 6), including a step-by-step walkthrough of the modelling process.

3.3.2 Changes to national input data for the NEAC PFA run-reconstruction model Model inputs are described in detail in Section 2.2 of the Stock Annex, and input data for the current year are provided in Appendix 3 of the Stock Annex. In addition to adding new data for 2017, the following changes were made to the national/regional input data for the model: UK (Scotland): Several changes were made to the UK (Scotland) run-reconstruction model inputs to allow assessments of conservation status to align more closely with those undertaken domestically (Marine Scotland Science, 2017). Abundance was estimated from reported rod catch (retained and released) rather than all methods retained catch as previously. Correction factors were estimated which raised the reported rod catch directly to estimates of home water returns for both 1SW and MSW returns which aligned with those estimated from domestic assessments. Age structure in the latter assessment is derived directly from sample data. Thus, the correction factor also accounts for sea age bias in the reported rod catch data. Unreported catch was incorporated into the run-reconstruction as a constant proportion (sampled from a normal distribution with a mean of 10% and standard deviation of 5%) throughout the time-series. Spawning abundance was estimated by removing retained catch (all methods), corrected for non-reporting. To align with domestic assessment methods, estimates of both catch and release mortality and natural in-river mortality were also incorporated. Fecundity estimates were also revised to align with those used in domestic assessments (Marine Scotland Science, 2017). A time-series of annual point estimates of mean eggs per female for 1SW and MSW salmon was used together with proportion female to estimate egg deposition within the run-reconstruction model. The analysis accounts for shifts in fecundity related to observed changes in the lengths of spawning fish.

3.3.3 Changes to the NEAC PFA run-reconstruction model UK (Scotland): The run-reconstruction model was amended to accommodate revisions to the data inputs described above.

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3.3.4 Description of national stocks and NEAC stock complexes as derived from the NEAC PFA run-reconstruction model The NEAC PFA run-reconstruction model provides an overview of the status of national salmon stocks in the Northeast Atlantic. It does not capture variations in the status of stocks in individual rivers or small groups of rivers, although this has been addressed, in part, by the regional splits within some countries and the analysis set out in Section 3.3.5. The model output for each country has been displayed as a summary sheet (Fig- ures 3.3.4.1(a–j)) comprising the following: • PFA and SER of maturing 1SW and non-maturing 1SW salmon. • Homewater returns and spawners (90% confidence intervals) and CLs for 1SW and MSW salmon. • Exploitation rates of 1SW and MSW salmon in homewaters estimated from the returns and catches. • Total catch (including unreported) of 1SW and MSW salmon. • National pseudo stock–recruitment relationship (PFA against lagged egg deposition) used to estimate CLs in countries that cannot provide one based upon river-specific estimates (Section 3.2). This panel also includes the river- specific CL where this is used in the assessment.

Tables 3.3.4.1–3.3.4.6 summarise salmon abundance estimates for individual countries and stock complexes in the NEAC area. The PFA of maturing and non-maturing 1SW salmon and the numbers of 1SW and MSW spawners for the Northern NEAC and Southern NEAC stock complexes are shown in Figure 3.3.4.2. The model provides an index of the current and historical status of stocks based upon fisheries data. The 5th and 95th percentiles shown by the whiskers in each of the plots (Figures 3.3.4.1 and 3.3.4.2) reflect the uncertainty in the input data. It should also be noted that the results for the full time-series can change when the assessment is re-run from year to year and as the input data are refined. In this regard, changes to the data inputs for UK (Scotland) resulted in alterations to the PFA and spawner time-series and changes in CL and SER values for the Southern NEAC stock complex. Status of stocks is assessed relative to the probability of exceeding CLs, or for PFA SERs. Based on the NEAC run-reconstruction model, the status of the two age groups of the Northern NEAC stock complex, prior to the commencement of distant-water fisheries in the latest available PFA year, were considered to be at full reproductive capacity (Section 1.5; Figure 3.3.4.2). In the Southern NEAC complex, 1SW stocks were considered to be suffering reduced reproductive capacity while MSW stocks were considered to be at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity prior to the commencement of distant-water fisheries in the latest available PFA year (Figure 3.3.4.2). The abundances of both maturing 1SW and non-maturing 1SW recruits (PFA) for northern NEAC (Figure 3.3.4.2) show a general decline over the time period, with the decline more marked in the maturing 1SW stock. Both Northern NEAC stocks have, however, been at full reproductive capacity prior to the commencement of distant-water fisheries throughout the time-series.

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1SW spawners in the Northern NEAC stock complex have been at full reproductive capacity throughout the time-series. MSW spawners, on the other hand, while generally being at full reproductive capacity, have periodically been at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity (Figure 3.3.4.2). The abundances of both maturing 1SW and of non-maturing 1SW recruits (PFA) for Southern NEAC (Figure 3.3.4.2) demonstrate declining trends over the time period. Both age-group stock complexes were at full reproductive capacity prior to the commencement of distant-water fisheries in the early part of the time-series. Since the early 1990s, however, the non-maturing 1SW stock has been at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity in the majority of the assessment years (Figure 3.3.4.2). The maturing 1SW stock, on the other hand, was first assessed as being at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity in 2009. For most years thereafter, the stock has either been at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity or suffering reduced reproductive capacity (Figure 3.3.4.2). Both the 1SW and MSW spawning stocks in the Southern NEAC stock complex have been at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity or suffering reduced reproductive capacity for the majority of the time-series (Figure 3.3.4.2).

Individual country stocks The assessment of PFA against SER (Figure 3.3.4.3) and returns and spawners against CL are shown for individual countries (Figures 3.3.4.4 and 3.3.4.5) and by regions (Fig- ures 3.3.4.6 and 3.3.4.7) for the most recent PFA and return years. These assessments show the same broad contrasts between Northern (including Iceland) and Southern NEAC stocks as was apparent in the stock complex data. For all countries in Northern NEAC, except for maturing 1SW stocks in Sweden, the Tana/Teno and Russia, the PFAs of both maturing and non-maturing 1SW stocks were at full reproductive capacity prior to the commencement of distant-water fisheries in the latest PFA year (Figure 3.3.4.3). Spawning stocks in some Northern NEAC countries were, however, at risk of suffering, or suffering, reduced reproductive capacity (Fig- ures 3.3.4.4 and 3.3.4.5). In Southern NEAC, all maturing 1SW stocks with the exception of UK (Northern Ire- land) were at risk of suffering or were suffering reduced reproductive capacity both prior to the commencement of distant-water fisheries and at spawning (Figures 3.3.4.3 and 3.3.4.4). In UK (Northern Ireland), the PFA and spawners of maturing 1SW stocks were at full reproductive capacity (Figures 3.3.4.3 and 3.3.4.4). This is a result of UK (Northern Ireland) being comprised of two large river stocks (Rivers Foyle and Bann) with relatively large numbers of returning adults in recent years. For Southern NEAC non-maturing 1SW stocks, UK (Northern Ireland) and UK (England & Wales) were at full reproductive capacity before the commencement of distant-water fisheries (Figures 3.3.4.3 and 3.3.4.4) and at risk of suffering, or suffering reduced reproductive capacity in other countries. Southern NEAC MSW spawning stocks were at full reproductive capacity in UK (Northern Ireland) and UK (England & Wales) while elsewhere they were at risk of suffering, or suffering, reduced reproductive capacity (Figure 3.3.4.5). Figures 3.3.4.6 and 3.3.4.7 provide more detailed descriptions of the status of returning and spawning stocks by country and region (where assessed) for both Northern and Southern NEAC stocks, again for the most recent return year.

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3.3.5 Compliance with river-specific conservation limits In the NEAC area, nine jurisdictions currently assess salmon stocks using river-specific CLs (Tables 3.3.5.1 and 3.3.5.2 and Figure 3.3.5.1). The attainment of CLs is assessed based on spawners, after fisheries. • For the River Teno (Finland/Norway), the number of major tributary stocks with established CLs rose from nine between 2007 and 2012 (with five annually assessed against CL), to 24 since 2013 (with seven to 14 assessed against CL). No stocks met CL prior to 2013. Since then, CL attainment has fluctuated within a range of 20% to 40%. • CLs were established for 439 Norwegian salmon rivers in 2009, but CL attainment was retrospectively assessed for 165–170 river stocks back to 2005. An average of 178 stocks are assessed since 2009. An overall increasing trend in CL attainment was evident from 39% in 2009 to 82% in 2016 (data are pending for 2017). • Since 1999, CLs have been established for 85 river stocks in Russia (Mur- mansk region) with eight of these annually assessed for CL attainment, 88% of which have consistently met their CL during the time-series. • Sweden established CLs in 2016 for 23 stocks which rose to 24 stocks in 2017. Eight of the 20 stocks assessed (40%) met CL in 2016 and 12 of the 22 stocks (50%) assessed met CL in 2017. • In France, CLs were established for 28 river stocks in 2011, rising to 35 by 2016. The percentage of stocks meeting CL peaked in 2013 (74%) and declined to 60% in both 2016 and 2017. • Ireland established CLs for all 141 stocks in 2007, rising to 143 since 2013 to include catchments above hydrodams. The mean percentage of stocks meeting CLs is 34% over the time-series, with the highest attainment of 43% achieved in 2014. This has been followed by a progressive decline thereafter to 31% in 2017. • UK (England & Wales) established CLs in 1993 for 61 rivers, increasing to 64 from 1995 with an overall mean of 46% meeting CL. A downward trend was observed from 66% attainment in 2011 to a minimum of 22% in 2014. In 2017, 50% of assessed stocks are meeting CL which is an increase on 2015 and 2016. • Data on UK (Northern Ireland) river-specific CLs are presented from 2002, when CLs were assigned to ten river stocks. Currently, 16 stocks have established CLs and five to 11 rivers were assessed annually for CL attainment over the time-series. A mean of 43% have met their CLs over the presented time-series. An overall upward trend is evident from 2010 (29%) to 2016 (64%), with 55% of assessed stocks attaining CL in 2017. • UK (Scotland) established CLs for 168 assessment groups (rivers and small groups of rivers) in 2016 with retrospective assessment conducted to 2011. Assessment in 2017 comprised 171 assessment groups with retrospective assessment conducted to 2012. For domestic management, stock status is expressed as the probability of achieving CL and attainment set at 60%. Mean attainment over the time-series was 37%. Attainment was highest in 2011 (69%) and fell to a minimum of 18% in 2014. Since then between 27 and 30% of assessment groups have annually met CL.

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Iceland has set provisional CLs for all salmon producing rivers and continues to work towards finalising an assessment process for determining CL attainment. No river-specific CLs have been established for Denmark, Germany and Spain.

3.3.6 Marine survival (return rates) for NEAC stocks An overview of the trends of marine survival for wild and hatchery-reared smolts returning to homewaters (i.e. before homewater exploitation) is presented in Figures 3.3.6.1 and 3.3.6.2. The figures provide the percent change in return rates between five- year averages for the smolt years 2007 to 2011 and 2012 to 2016 for 1SW salmon, and 2006 to 2010 and 2011 to 2015 for 2SW salmon. The annual return rates for different rivers and experimental facilities are presented in Tables 3.3.6.1 and 3.3.6.2. Return rates of hatchery-released fish, however, may not always be a reliable indicator of return rates of wild fish. The overall trend for hatchery smolts in Southern NEAC areas is generally indicative of a decline in marine survival. The overall trend for Northern NEAC hatchery smolts shows a more varied picture with one of the two dataseries showing an increase in return rates. Note, however, that Northern NEAC is now only represented by one river: River Imsa (1SW and 2SW) in Norway. For the wild smolts a decline is apparent for the Southern NEAC areas where nine out of 15 dataseries show a decrease. For the river Imsa data show an increase in 1SW but a decrease in 2SW return rates in the most recent 5-year period compared to the five years before (Figure 3.3.6.1). The percentage change between the average of the five-year periods varied from a 75% decline (River Corrib 2SW) to a 72% increase (River Scorff) (Figure 3.3.6.1). However, the scale of change in some rivers is influenced by low total return numbers, where a few fish more or less returning may have a significant impact on the percentage change. The return rates for wild and reared smolts for migration year 2016 (1SW) and 2015 (MSW) displayed a mixed picture with some rivers above and some below the previous five and ten year averages (Tables 3.3.6.1 and 3.3.6.2). For Northern NEAC, return rates increased for 2016 compared to 2015 smolt cohort for wild 1SW smolts and for 2015 compared to 2014 for wild 2SW smolts (only represented by River Imsa). For the southern NEAC the return rates increased for 2015 compared to 2014 smolt cohorts for all rivers with respect to wild 2SW smolts but decreased for 2016 compared to 2015 smolt cohorts in all rivers with respect to wild 1SW smolts, except for River Corrib (Ireland). The River Oir and Scorff (France) show increased figures for 2015 compared to 2014, while River Bresle had lower return rates for 2015 compared to 2014. Note that there is no distinction between 1SW and MSW in French rivers. The only remaining river with an ongoing dataseries for hatchery smolts in the North- ern NEAC area (River Imsa, Norway) showed an increase for both the 2016 (1SW) and 2015 (2SW) smolt years relative to the previous years (Table 3.3.6.2). In the Southern NEAC area, return rates for hatchery smolts shows a more varied picture with an increase or similar return rates for six out of nine rivers in the 2016 compared to the 2015 smolt cohorts. The three rivers that showed decreasing return rates were River Lee and River Erne in Ireland and 2+ smolts in River Bush in the UK (Northern Ireland). Least squared (or marginal mean) average annual return rates were calculated to provide indices of survival for northern and southern 1SW and 2SW returning adult wild and hatchery salmon in the NEAC area (Figure 3.3.6.3). Values were calculated to balance for variation in the annual number of contributing experimental groups through application of a GLM (generalised linear model) with survival related to smolt year and river, each as factors, with a quasi-Poisson distribution (log-link function). Each of

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the hatchery and wild, 1SW and 2SW, northern and southern area river survival indices were run independently, as presented in Tables 3.3.6.1 and 3.3.6.2. Only return rates given in separate 1SW and 2SW age classes were used. In summary: • 1SW return rates of wild smolts to the Northern NEAC area (three river indices) although varying annually, have generally decreased since 1980 (p<0.05). The time-series can be seen as three periods, 1981 to 1993, 1994 to 2005 and 2006 to 2016. In the first period, survival ranges varied greatly but was generally high (averaging 6.1%), before declining sharply in 1994 to a period of low, but were gradually improving survival (average of 2.8%), followed by a further decline from 2004 to 2006. Survival in the third period (2006 to 2016) has been at the lowest level (average of 1.5%). The return rate for the last point in the time-series (for the 2016 smolt cohort) of 2.4% is up on the 2015 return rate of 0.9%. Additionally, there is a variable return rate for the 2SW wild component (comprising three river indices), with the most recent return rate (for 2014 smolt cohort) of 0.9%, representing a slight increase on figure for the previous year. • Return rates of 1SW wild smolts to the Southern NEAC area (eight river indices) have generally decreased since 1980 (p<0.05). A steep decrease between 1988 and 1989 was followed by a decline from around 10% to around 6% over the period 2000 to 2008. An increase in 2009 was followed by two years of declining survival. This subsequently improved slightly for the 2012 smolt cohort to 6.0%, declined for the 2013 cohort to 2.9% (the lowest in the time-series), and increased to 5.6% for the 2015 cohort with the latest figure being slightly lower or 4.6% (2016 cohort). There is no evident declining trend for the 2SW wild component (five river indices), though pre-1999 rates were generally higher than post-2000 rates. Following a slight decrease in the return rate of the 2014 smolt cohort compared to the previous year, the return rate of the most recent cohort (2015) was slightly higher at 1.4%. • 1SW return rates of hatchery smolts to the Northern NEAC area (four river indices) although varying annually, have decreased since 1980 (p<0.05). A slight improvement was noted in the years preceding 2014, but the 2016 figure (0.8%) was close to the mean of the last ten years and among the lowest in the time-series. The declining trend is not evident for the 2SW hatchery component (four river indices). A notable increase from the 2007 to the 2009 smolt cohorts has not been maintained. The most recent return rate (the 2015 smolt cohort) is up on the preceding year with 0.7%, which is close to the total average of the time-series. • 1SW return rates of hatchery smolts to the Southern NEAC area (13 river indices) although varying annually, have decreased since 1980 (p<0.05). The returns since the 2003 cohort have been low with the highest return rate being 2.4% for the 2007 cohort, which is the same as the lowest return for the period from 1980 to 2003 (1995 cohort). The return of 1.4% for the 2016 cohort was only slightly higher than the previous year. The nine most recent years include the eight lowest return rates in the time-series and again indicate a persistent period of poor marine survival. There is only one 2SW hatchery component for the Southern NEAC area (River Ranga, Iceland) but since 2002, there has been no return of 2SW hatchery smolts.

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In summary, the low return rates in recent years highlighted in these analyses are broadly consistent with the trends in estimated returns and spawners as derived from the PFA model (Section 3.3.4), and that abundance is strongly influenced by factors in the marine environment. The method to estimate smolt and spawner runs in French index rivers was revised in 2016. A hierarchical Bayesian framework was built to analyse index river data and to provide Bayesian estimates that integrate all available data (Servanty and Prévost, 2016). The new models provide revised time-series of abundance of parr, smolt, and spawners in the four French index rivers; Bresle and Oir (Normandy), Scorff (Brittany), and Nivelle (Basque Country). In the Bresle, parr are not monitored, while in the Nivelle, smolt are not monitored. Return rates are estimated from smolt-to-adult returns, except for the Nivelle where return rates have been estimated using spawner to parr ratio. The time-series of high return rates in the River Oir must be considered with caution as a large number of spawners originating in other rivers of the Bay of Mont Saint Michel probably stray in the Oir and increase the ratio spawner/smolt used to calculate the return rates. All estimates are based on wild fish with the exception of the River Nivelle where juvenile stocking occurred from 1986 to 1995, which contributed to adult returns from 1988 to 2000.

3.4 PFA Forecasts

In 2018, the Working Group ran forecast models for the Southern NEAC and Northern NEAC complexes independently, and for countries within each stock complex. The model and its application is described in detail in Section 3.2.2 of the Stock Annex.

3.4.1 Description of the forecast model The stock complex and country scale models follow the same basic structure, differing in the scale over which the data are aggregated. In the country scale models, parallel data streams and analyses for each of the countries comprising the stock complex are modelled. These data are aggregated in the stock complex models. The PFA is modelled within a Bayesian framework using the summation of lagged eggs from 1SW and MSW fish corresponding to a PFA year together with an exponen- tial productivity parameter inferred from the proportionality between the log of lagged eggs and PFA. The maturing PFA and the non-maturing PFA recruitment streams are subsequently calculated from the inferred proportion of PFA maturing parameter for each year. Both the productivity parameter and the proportion maturing parameter are forecast using a random walk. For the stock complex models, catches of salmon in the West Greenland fishery (as 1SW non-maturing salmon) and at Faroes (as 1SW maturing and MSW salmon) are introduced as covariates and incorporated directly within the inference and forecast structure of the model. For the country disaggregated model, country specific catch proportions at Faroes, lagged eggs and returns of maturing and non-maturing components are used. Forecasts for maturing and non-maturing stocks were derived for each stock complex (and country) for five years, from 2017 to 2021. Risks were defined each year as the posterior probability that the PFA would be above the age and stock complex specific

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Spawner Escapement Reserves (SERs). For illustrative purposes, risk analyses were derived based on the probability that the maturing and non-maturing PFAs would be greater than or equal to the maturing and non-maturing SERs under the scenario of no exploitation, for both the northern and southern complexes.

3.4.2 Results of the NEAC stock complex Bayesian forecast models The trends in the posterior estimates of PFA for both the Southern NEAC and Northern NEAC complexes match the PFA estimates derived from the run-reconstruction model (Section 3.3.4). From these, the productivity parameters (a) and the proportions maturing (p.PFAm) are derived and forecasts for the time period 2017 to 2021 modelled. For the Southern NEAC stock complex, the proportion of maturing 1SW parameter shows a declining trend from 1996 to present with the productivity parameter showing a general decline over the entire time-series (Figure 3.4.2.1). It should be noted that the results for the full time-series can change when the assessment is re-run from year to year and as the input data are refined (Section 3.3.4). Forecasts of maturing PFA in the Southern NEAC stock complex show an initial decrease in 2017 and 2018 and then stabilise in 2019 to 2021. The median PFA is forecast to fall below the spawner escapement reserve (SER) for all five forecasted years. The median non-maturing PFA stock component is forecast to fall below the SER in 2018 and 2019. These PFA ranges are mirrored in the probabilities of their maturing and non-maturing components falling below the SERs (Table 3.4.2.1). For both maturing and non-maturing stock, lagged eggs are forecast to decline sharply in 2017 and 2018 with lagged eggs for maturing stock forecast to reach the lowest level on record. In the Northern NEAC stock complex, the parameter for proportion maturing is generally lower in the latter half of the time-series (Figure 3.4.2.2). The productivity parameter has shown a general decline over the time-series although not as pronounced as for the Southern NEAC stock complex. The apparent cyclical trends in much of the model output for the Northern NEAC stock complex may be indicative of the periodic appearance of strong cohorts in the stocks. In the Northern NEAC stock complex (Figure 3.4.2.2), the decline in PFA for maturing stock seen from 2014 to 2016 is forecast to continue for 2017 and 2018 and stabilise thereafter. For 2018 to 2021, the forecast PFA 5% Bayesian credibility interval (BCI) falls below the SER, with a probability of exceeding the SER reaching a low of 0.85 in 2021 (Table 3.4.2.1). PFA for the non-maturing stock complex is forecast to decline from 2017 to 2021, reaching some of the lowest levels in the time-series. However, the lowest forecast probability of exceeding the SER is still large at 0.95 in 2021.

3.4.3 Results of the NEAC country level Bayesian forecast models and probabilities of PFAs attaining SERs The stock complex and country scale models follow the same basic structure, differing in the scale over which the data are aggregated. In the country scale models, parallel data streams and analyses for each of the countries comprising the stock complex are modelled. These data are aggregated in the stock complex models. The PFA is modelled within a Bayesian framework using the summation of lagged eggs from 1SW and MSW fish corresponding to a PFA year together with an exponen- tial productivity parameter inferred from the proportionality between the log of lagged eggs and PFA. The maturing PFA and the non-maturing PFA recruitment streams are subsequently calculated from the inferred proportion of PFA maturing parameter for

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each year. Both the productivity parameter and the proportion maturing parameter are forecast using a random walk. For the stock complex models, catches of salmon in the West Greenland fishery (as 1SW non-maturing salmon) and at Faroes (as 1SW maturing and MSW salmon) are introduced as covariates and incorporated directly within the inference and forecast structure of the model. For the country-disaggregated model, country-specific catch proportions at Faroes, lagged eggs and returns of maturing and non-maturing components are used. Forecasts for maturing and non-maturing stocks were derived for each stock complex (and country) for five years, from 2017 to 2021. Risks were defined each year as the posterior probability that the PFA would be above the age- and stock- complex-specific Spawner Escapement Reserves (SERs). For illustrative purposes, risk analyses were derived based on the probability that the maturing and non-maturing PFAs would be greater than or equal to the maturing and non-maturing SERs under the scenario of no exploitation, for both the northern and southern complexes. Figures 3.4.3.1 to 3.4.3.11 show country level maturing and non-maturing PFA forecasts, with the probabilities of PFAs exceeding the SERs detailed in Table 3.4.3.1 for Southern NEAC countries and Table 3.4.3.2 for Northern NEAC countries. Of note in the forecasts of Southern NEAC countries: • France: the forecast (2017 to 2021) median maturing and non-maturing PFA is consistently below the SER. • Ireland: for both maturing and non-maturing stocks, the median PFA is below the SER for forecasted years (2017 to 2021). For the non-maturing component in 2017, 2018 and 2019 the 75th BCIs fall below SER. The proportion maturing remains high, above 0.95. • UK (Northern Ireland): the SER falls within the 20th and 50th quantiles of the forecast PFA for both maturing and non-maturing stocks. The proportion maturing 1SW is forecast to return to within the limits of the time-series after the sharp decline observed in 2011. Lagged eggs for the non-maturing component is forecast to increase to some of the largest values in the time- series. • UK (England & Wales): the median estimate for maturing PFA is forecast to remain below the SER from 2017 to 2021, while the median non-maturing PFA is forecast to remain above the SER, with probabilities of exceeding SER above 0.8. Lagged eggs for the maturing component are forecast to decline to the lowest levels in the time-series. • UK (Scotland): the general decline in maturing PFA is forecast to continue, with probabilities of attaining SER of less than 0.2 (Table 3.4.3.1). A similar decline is forecast for non-maturing PFA, with probabilities of attaining SER for 2017 to 2021 ranging between 0.44 and 0.21. Lagged eggs for the maturing stock are forecast to continue to decline until 2021, reaching the lowest levels in the time-series. For non-maturing stock, lagged eggs are forecast to return to the time-series average after a peak in 2015 and 2016. • Iceland (south/west regions): maturing and non-maturing PFAs remain generally above the SERs. Proportion maturing is high compared to levels seen in the early 1980s. The forecast of lagged eggs for the maturing component shows substantial variation between years.

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Of note in the forecasts of Northern NEAC countries: • Russia: PFA forecasts show a continuation of the general decline in the time- series, reaching lows in probability of attaining SER of 0.44 for maturing stock and 0.51 for non-maturing stock in 2021. Lagged eggs for the non-maturing component are forecasted to sharply decline from 2017 to 2018, remaining low for 2019 to 2021. • Finland: the forecast PFA for maturing and non-maturing stock show a slow decline with probability of attaining SER remaining above 0.70 for both components. • Norway: PFAs for both stock components for Norway are predicted to remain above the SERs with high probabilities. • Sweden: the median of the PFAs are forecast to be around the SERs with probabilities of attainment between 0.37 and 0.59 for maturing and between 0.42 and 0.67 for non-maturing components. • Iceland (north/east regions): PFAs are predicted to remain above the SERs with probabilities exceeding 0.77 for both stock components for all forecast years.

3.5 Catch options or alternative management advice

3.5.1 Catch advice for Faroes The Faroes risk framework (ICES, 2013) has been used to evaluate catch options for the Faroes fishery in the 2018/2019, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 fishing seasons (October to May). The assumptions and data used in the catch options assessment are described in the Stock Annex. The procedure used for estimating the stock composition was as described by ICES (2015); all other input data were as described by ICES (2013). The Working Group applied the risk framework model to the four management units previously used for the provision of catch advice (maturing and non-maturing 1SW recruits for Northern and Southern NEAC) and also for the two age groups in ten NEAC countries (i.e. 20 management units). Germany, Spain and Denmark are not currently included in the PFA or catch advice assessments. North American fish form part of the catch and are accounted for in the catch advice. The risk framework estimates the probability that the PFA of maturing and non-maturing 1SW salmon in each of the management units will meet or exceed their respective SERs at different catch levels (TAC options). ICES have advised that the management objective should have a greater than 95% probability of meeting or exceeding the SER in each management unit. As NASCO has not yet adopted a management objective, the advice tables provide the probabilities for each management unit and the probabilities of simultaneous attainment of all SERs for each TAC option. As an example, a 20 t TAC option would result in a catch of about 5000 fish in the Faroes. The great majority (>97.5%) of these would be expected to be MSW fish. Once the sharing allocation (8.4%) is applied, and the numbers are adjusted for natural mortality to the same seasons as the PFA, this equates to about 650 maturing and 84 000 non-maturing 1SW fish equivalents assumed to be caught by all fisheries. The maturing and non-maturing 1SW components are split according to the new catch composition estimates, and these values are deducted from the PFA values which are then compared with the following SERs (from Table 3.2.1.1): Northern NEAC maturing 1SW: 173 601

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Northern NEAC non-maturing 1SW: 206 201 Southern NEAC maturing 1SW: 830 559 Southern NEAC non-maturing 1SW: 550 081 Catch Advice based on Stock Complexes The probabilities of the Northern and Southern NEAC stock complexes achieving their SERs for different catch options are shown in Table 3.5.1.1 and Figure 3.5.1.1. The probabilities with a zero TAC are the same as the values generated directly by the forecast model (Section 3.4). In the Northern NEAC stock complex, over the forecast period, the non-maturing 1SW component has a high probability (≥95%) of achieving its SERs for TACs at Faroes solely for a catch option of ≤20 t in the 2018/2019 season. The maturing 1SW component in the Northern NEAC stock complex and both Southern NEAC stock complex components each have less than 95% probability of achieving their SERs with any TAC option in any of the forecast seasons. Therefore, there are no catch options that ensure a greater than 95% probability of each stock complex achieving its SER. The slope of the curves in the catch option figures (Figure 3.5.1.1) is chiefly a function of the level of exploitation on the stocks resulting from a particular TAC in the Faroes fishery and the uncertainty in the parameter values used in the model. The relative flatness of some of the risk curves, particularly for the maturing 1SW stocks, indicates that the risk to these management units is affected very little by any harvest at Faroes, principally because the exploitation rates on these stock components in the fishery are very low (Table 3.5.1.2).

Catch Advice based on Countries The probabilities of the NEAC national maturing and non-maturing 1SW management units achieving their SERs for different catch options are shown in Tables 3.5.1.3 and 3.5.1.4, respectively. The probabilities of the maturing 1SW national management units achieving their SERs in 2018/19 vary between 11% (UK (Scotland)) and 91% (Norway) for the different countries with no TAC at Faroes. These probabilities decline very little with increasing TAC options, reflecting the expected low exploitation rate on maturing 1SW stocks at Faroes (Table 3.5.1.2). The probabilities are also generally lower for the two subsequent seasons. The probabilities of the non-maturing 1SW national management units achieving their SERs in 2018/19 vary between 16% (Ireland) and 99% (Iceland and Norway) with no TAC allocated for the Faroes fishery and decline with increasing TAC options. The only countries to have a greater than 95% probability of achieving their SERs with catch options for Faroes are Iceland (TACs ≤60 t), and Norway (TACs ≤20 t). In most countries, these probabilities are lower in the subsequent two seasons. There are therefore, no TAC options at which all management units would have a greater than 95% probability of achieving their SERs. The Catch Options Model indicates that the exploitation rates on national maturing 1SW management units in the Northern and Southern NEAC areas are low (≤0.2% and ≤0.8%, respectively), at TACs up to 200 t (Table 3.5.1.5). Assuming any fishery at Faroes would be operated as in the past, and efforts would be made to minimise catches of 1SW fish, the stocks represented by these management units would be largely unaf- fected by a fishery. It should also be noted, that the catch advice is based on the as- sumption that the exploitation rate at Faroes represents only about 8% of the total exploitation of this component of the stocks. This would not affect the current catch advice for the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 seasons.

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River-specific assessments ICES (2012) emphasised the problem of basing the risk analysis on management units comprising large numbers of river stocks and recommended that in providing catch advice at the age and stock complex levels for Northern and Southern NEAC, consideration should be given to the recent performance of the river stocks within individual countries. At present, insufficient monitoring occurs to assess performance of all individual stocks in all countries or jurisdictions in the NEAC area (see Section 3.2). In some instances, CLs are in the process of being developed (e.g. Iceland). The status of river stocks within each jurisdiction in the NEAC area for which data are available with respect to the attainment of CLs is given in Table 3.5.1.6 for 2017 (except Norway and Scotland where the data relate to 2016). The total number of stocks in each jurisdiction which can be assessed against river-specific CLs are also shown. Despite the absence of a fishery at Faroes since 1999, and reduced exploitation at West Green- land on the MSW Southern NEAC component, the abundance at the PFA stage in a substantial proportion of rivers in the NEAC area is likely to have been below their river-specific CLs. Compliance of jurisdiction-specific returns before homewater fisheries with CLs varies greatly between Northern NEAC and Southern NEAC (Table 3.5.1.6). Returns in all jurisdictions in Northern NEAC had a 95% or greater probability of meeting MSW CLs. However, only two jurisdictions (Iceland and Norway) met the CL for the 1SW stock component. For Southern NEAC, there was only one jurisdiction where returns of adult salmon had higher than 95% probability of meeting both 1SW and MSW CLs (UK (Northern Ireland)), with MSW returns in only one additional jurisdiction (UK (Eng- land & Wales)) which also had a high probability of meeting MSW CLs. The Working Group, therefore, notes that there are no catch options for the Faroes fishery that would allow all national or stock complex management units to achieve their CLs with a greater than 95% probability in any of the seasons 2018/2019 to 2020/2021. While the abundance of stocks remains low, even in the absence of a fishery at Faroes, particular care should be taken to ensure that fisheries in homewaters are managed to protect stocks that are below their CLs.

3.5.2 Relevant factors to be considered in management The management of a fishery should ideally be based upon the status of all river stocks exploited in the fishery. Fisheries on mixed‐stocks pose particular difficulties for management, when they cannot target only stocks that are at full reproductive capacity. Management objectives would be best achieved if fisheries target stocks that are at full reproductive capacity. Fisheries in estuaries and especially rivers are more likely to meet this requirement. The Working Group also emphasised that the national stock CLs are not appropriate to the management of homewater fisheries. This is because fisheries in homewaters usually target individual or smaller groups of river stocks and can therefore be managed on the basis of their expected impact on the status of the separate stocks. Nevertheless, the Working Group agreed that the combined CLs for national stocks exploited by the distant-water fisheries could be used to provide management advice at the level of the stock complexes. The Working Group has recently evaluated data indicating that a larger number of North American fish than previously thought may have been caught in the Faroes fishery in the past (ICES, 2015). The consequences of the catches of North American fish on North American stocks are not taken into account in the current risk analysis pending a decision from NASCO on how they wish this to be undertaken.

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3.6 Framework of Indicators

3.6.1 Background In the intermediate years of a multiyear catch agreement, an interim assessment is made as a check of the PFA forecasts and to determine whether a full re-assessment of stock status and new catch advice might be required (Figure 3.6.1.1). This assessment relies on a framework of indicators (FWI) which the Working Group has developed to check whether stock status may have changed markedly in any year from that based on the PFA forecast. Full details of the FWI are provided in the Stock Annex. If the FWI suggests that the stock may have performed differently than that projected by the forecast model, a new assessment and new catch advice would be requested. After a period of three years, a full assessment is required regardless in order to inform a potential new multi-annual agreement. Thus, the FWI is not applied and the cycle is started over again. Indicator time-series are included in the framework based on the following criteria: • at least ten data points; • a coefficient of determination (r2) of at least 0.2 for a linear regression between the indicator time-series and the estimated pre-fishery abundance of the relevant stock complex; • regression significant at the 0.05 probability level; • available for inclusion in the FWI in early January.

The FWI was first presented by the Working Group in 2012 (ICES, 2012), and first applied in 2013. Further refinements were made to the FWI in 2013 (ICES, 2013) and 2016 (ICES, 2016); full details of the changes are provided in the Stock Annex. The latter change resulted in only stock complexes that would be appropriate to changing the multiyear advice being included in the framework in the years between the provision of full catch advice. Thus, in 2017, the FWI was applied using only the indicators for the Southern NEAC 1SW and MSW stock complexes. As future catch advice could be determined by the status of stocks in any of the four stock complexes, indicators for each of these have been retained in the FWI. However, in any year, the FWI can be applied such that it will only be necessary to apply the indicators from those stock complexes that could result in a change in the multiyear advice following a reassessment. For 2018 (to be applied in January 2019) and 2019 (to be applied in January 2020), this would mean that indicators for Southern NEAC 1SW and MSW salmon, and Northern NEAC 1SW salmon, should be considered.

3.6.2 Progress in 2018 During its meeting in 2018, the Working Group updated the FWI. Summary statistics for the candidate indicator datasets are shown for the Northern NEAC and Southern NEAC stock complexes in Tables 3.6.2.1 and 3.6.2.2, respectively. For the Northern NEAC stock complex, six indicator datasets for the 1SW component and five for the MSW component have been retained in the framework for 2018 (to be applied in Janu- ary 2019) and 2019 (to be applied in January 2020). For the Southern NEAC stock complex, seven indicator datasets for the 1SW component and eight for the MSW component have been retained in the framework for 2018 (to be applied in January 2019) and 2019 (to be applied in January 2020). Four indicators were dropped and three were added, since 2016 due to altered r2 values for the respective indicators.

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It is anticipated that the majority of datasets included in the updated FWI will be available in January (when the FWI is required to be run), although this represents a chal- lenging time-scale for some indicators. The updated FWI is illustrated in Figure 3.6.2.1.

3.6.3 Next steps Assuming a new multiannual agreement is confirmed, the updated FWI will be made available to NASCO to enable them to facilitate intermediate assessments in 2019 and 2020 in order to determine whether new catch advice might be required. The FWI will then need to be updated, and a new three-year-cycle started in 2021.

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Table 3.1.3.1. Number of gear units licensed or authorised by country and gear type.

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Table 3.1.3.1. (continued) Number of gear units licensed or authorised by country and gear type.

Norway Finland Russia The Teno River R. Näätämö Kola Peninsula Archangel region Recreational fishery Local rod and Recreational Catch-and-release Commercial, Year Bagnet Bendnet Liftnet Driftnet Tourist anglers net fishery fishery Fishing days number of gears (No. nets) Fishing days Fishermen Fishermen Fishermen Coastal In-river 1971 4608 2421 26 8976 ------1972 4215 2367 24 13448 ------1973 4047 2996 32 18616 ------1974 3382 3342 29 14078 ------1975 3150 3549 25 15968 ------1976 2569 3890 22 17794 ------1977 2680 4047 26 30201 ------1978 1980 3976 12 23301 ------1979 1835 5001 17 23989 ------1980 2118 4922 20 25652 ------1981 2060 5546 19 24081 16859 5742 677 467 - - - 1982 1843 5217 27 22520 19690 7002 693 484 - - - 1983 1735 5428 21 21813 20363 7053 740 587 - - - 1984 1697 5386 35 21210 21149 7665 737 677 - - - 1985 1726 5848 34 20329 21742 7575 740 866 - - - 1986 1630 5979 14 17945 21482 7404 702 691 - - - 1987 1422 6060 13 17234 22487 7759 754 689 - - - 1988 1322 5702 11 15532 21708 7755 741 538 - - - 1989 1888 4100 16 0 24118 8681 742 696 - - - 1990 2375 3890 7 0 19596 7677 728 614 - - - 1991 2343 3628 8 0 22922 8286 734 718 1711 - - 1992 2268 3342 5 0 26748 9058 749 875 4088 - - 1993 2869 2783 - 0 29461 10198 755 705 6026 59 199 1994 2630 2825 - 0 26517 8985 751 671 8619 60 230 1995 2542 2715 - 0 24951 8141 687 716 5822 55 239 1996 2280 2860 - 0 17625 5743 672 814 6326 85 330 1997 2002 1075 - 0 16255 5036 616 588 6355 68 282 1998 1865 1027 - 0 18700 5759 621 673 6034 66 270 1999 1649 989 - 0 22935 6857 616 850 7023 66 194 2000 1557 982 - 0 28385 8275 633 624 7336 60 173 2001 1976 1081 - 0 33501 9367 863 590 8468 53 121 2002 1666 917 - 0 37491 10560 853 660 9624 63 72 2003 1664 766 - 0 34979 10032 832 644 11994 55 84 2004 1546 659 - 0 29494 8771 801 657 13300 62 56 2005 1453 661 - 0 27627 7776 785 705 20309 93 69 2006 1283 685 - 0 29516 7749 836 552 13604 62 72 2007 1302 669 - 0 33664 8763 780 716 82 53 2008 957 653 - 0 31143 8111 756 694 66 62 2009 978 631 - 0 29641 7676 761 656 79 72 2010 760 493 - 0 30646 7814 756 615 55 66 2011 767 506 - 0 31269 7915 776 727 78 52 2012 749 448 - 0 32614 7930 785 681 72 53 2013 786 459 - 0 33148 8074 785 558 110 71 2014 700 436 - 0 32852 7791 746 396 57 74 2015 724 406 - 0 33435 7809 765 232 81 62 2016 798 438 - 0 31923 7273 712 512 42 59 2017 854 419 - 0 10074 2468 506 405 29 54 Mean 2012-2016 751 437 0 32 794 7 775 759 476 72 64 % change 3 13,7 -4,2 0,0 -69,3 -68,3 -33,3 -14,9 -42,0 -7,5 Mean 2007-2016 852 514 0 32 034 7 916 762 579 72 62 % change 3 0,2 -18,5 0,0 -68,6 -68,8 -33,6 -30,0 -41,8 -5,4

3 (2016/mean - 1) * 100 4 Dash means "no data"

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Table 3.1.4.1. Nominal catch of SALMON in NEAC Area (in tonnes round fresh weight), 1960–2017. (2017 figures are provisional).

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Table 3.1.5.1. Cpue for salmon rod fisheries in Finland (Teno, Naatamo), France, and UK (Northern Ireland)(River Bush).

Finland (R. Finland (R. France UK (Northern Teno) Naatamo) Ireland) (R. Bush)

CATCH PER CATCH PER CATCH PER CATCH PER CATCH PER CATCH PER ANGLER ANGLER DAY ANGLER ANGLER DAY ANGLER ROD DAY SEASON SEASON SEASON

YEAR KG KG KG KG NUMBER NUMBER 1974 2.8 1975 2.7 1976 - 1977 1.4 1978 1.1 1979 0.9 1980 1.1 1981 3.2 1.2 1982 3.4 1.1 1983 3.4 1.2 0.248 1984 2.2 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.083 1985 2.7 0.9 n/a n/a 0.283 1986 2.1 0.7 n/a n/a 0.274 1987 2.3 0.8 n/a n/a 0.39 0.194 1988 1.9 0.7 0.5 0.2 0.73 0.165 1989 2.2 0.8 1.0 0.4 0.55 0.135 1990 2.8 1.1 0.7 0.3 0.71 0.247 1991 3.4 1.2 1.3 0.5 0.60 0.396 1992 4.5 1.5 1.4 0.3 0.94 0.258 1993 3.9 1.3 0.4 0.2 0.88 0.341 1994 2.4 0.8 0.6 0.2 2.32 0.205 1995 2.7 0.9 0.5 0.1 1.15 0.206 1996 3.0 1.0 0.7 0.2 1.57 0.267 1997 3.4 1.0 1.1 0.2 0.44 0.338 1998 3.0 0.9 1.3 0.3 0.67 0.569 1999 3.7 1.1 0.8 0.2 0.76 0.273 2000 5.0 1.5 0.9 0.2 1.06 0.259 2001 5.9 1.7 1.2 0.3 0.97 0.444 2002 3.1 0.9 0.7 0.2 0.84 0.184 2003 2.6 0.7 0.8 0.2 0.76 0.238 2004 1.4 0.4 0.9 0.2 1.25 0.252 2005 2.7 0.8 1.3 0.2 0.74 0.323 2006 3.4 1.0 1.9 0.4 0.89 0.457 2007 2.9 0.8 1.0 0.2 0.74 0.601 2008 4.2 1.1 0.9 0.2 0.77 0.457 2009 2.3 0.6 0.7 0.1 0.50 0.136 2010 3.0 0.8 1.3 0.2 0.87 0.226 2011 2.4 0.6 1.0 0.2 0.65 0.122

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Finland (R. Finland (R. France UK (Northern Teno) Naatamo) Ireland) (R. Bush)

CATCH PER CATCH PER CATCH PER CATCH PER CATCH PER CATCH PER ANGLER ANGLER DAY ANGLER ANGLER DAY ANGLER ROD DAY SEASON SEASON SEASON

YEAR KG KG KG KG NUMBER NUMBER 2012 3.6 0.9 1.7 0.4 0.61 0.149 2013 2.5 0.6 0.7 0.2 0.57 0.270 2014 3.3 0.8 1.4 0.3 0.73 0.15 2015 2.6 0.6 1.7 0.3 0.77 0.07 2016 2.9 0.7 1.1 0.2 na 0.3 2017 5.7 1.4 0.8 0.2 na na Mean 3.1 1.0 1.0 0.2 0.8 0.3

2012–2016 3.0 0.7 1.3 0.3 0.7 0.2

1 Large numbers of new, inexperienced anglers in 1997 because cheaper licence types were introduced.

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Table 3.1.5.2. Cpue for salmon in coastal and in-river fisheries the Archangelsk region and catch and release rod fishery in the Kola Peninsula in Russia.

Archangelsk region Commercial fishery (tonnes/gear) Barents Sea basin White Sea basin

Year Coastal In-river Rynda Kharlovka Eastern Litsa Ponoi

1994 2,37 1,45 2,95 4,50 1993 0.34 0.04 1,18 1,46 1,59 3,57 1994 0.35 0.05 0,71 0,85 0,79 3,30 1995 0.22 0.08 0,49 0,78 0,94 3,77 1996 0.19 0.02 0,70 0,85 1,31 3,78 1997 0.23 0.02 1,20 0,71 1,09 6,09 1998 0.24 0.03 1,01 0,55 0,75 4,52 1999 0.22 0.04 0,95 0,77 0,93 3,30 2000 0.28 0.03 1,35 0,77 0,89 3,55 2001 0.21 0.04 1,48 0,92 1,00 4,35 2002 0.21 0.11 2,39 0,99 0,89 7,28 2003 0.16 0.05 1,61 1,14 1,04 8,39 2004 0.25 0.08 1,07 0,98 1,31 5,80 2005 0.17 0.08 1,18 0,82 1,63 4,42 2006 0.19 0.05 0,92 1,49 1,49 6,28 2007 0.14 0.09 0,92 0,78 1,46 5,96 2008 0.12 0.08 1,27 1,14 1,52 5,73 2009 0.09 0.05 1,18 1,29 1,35 5,72 2010 0.21 0.08 1,10 0,99 0,98 4,78 2011 0.15 0.07 0,60 0,70 0,99 4,01 2012 0.17 0.09 1,10 0,87 0,97 5,56 2013 0.12 0.09 0,98 0,85 1,09 4,37 2014 0.22 0.10 1,25 1,42 1,55 5,20 2015 0.16 0.09 1,04 1,33 1,70 3,94 2016 0.31 0.08 1,05 1,28 1,42 3,35 2017 0.36 0.07 1.07 1.89 2.04 3.83 Mean 0.21 0.06 1.08 1.15 1.35 4.48

2012–2016 0.20 0.09 1.05 1.07 1.30 4.86

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Table 3.1.5.3. Cpue data for net and fixed engine salmon fisheries by Region in UK (England & Wales). Data expressed as catch per licence-tide, except the Northeast, for which the data are recorded as catch per licence-day.

Region (aggregated data, various methods)

Year Northeast driftnets Northeast Southwest Midlands Wales Northwest

1988 5.49 -

1989 4.39 0.82

1990 5.53 0.63

1991 3.20 0.51

1992 3.83 0.40

1993 8.23 6.43 0.63

1994 9.02 7.53 0.71

1995 11.18 7.84 0.79

1996 4.93 3.74 0.59 1997 6.48 4.40 0.70 0.48 0.07 0.63 1998 5.92 3.81 1.25 0.42 0.08 0.46 1999 8.06 4.88 0.79 0.72 0.02 0.52 2000 13.06 8.11 1.01 0.66 0.18 1.05 2001 10.34 6.83 0.71 0.79 0.16 0.71 2002 8.55 5.59 1.03 1.39 0.23 0.90 2003 7.13 4.82 1.24 1.13 0.11 0.62 2004 8.17 5.88 1.17 0.46 0.11 0.69 2005 7.23 4.13 0.60 0.97 0.09 1.28 2006 5.60 3.20 0.66 0.97 0.09 0.82 2007 7.24 4.17 0.33 1.26 0.05 0.75 2008 5.41 3.59 0.63 1.33 0.06 0.34 2009 4.76 3.08 0.53 1.67 0.04 0.51 2010 17.03 8.56 0.99 0.26 0.09 0.47 2011 19.25 9.93 0.63 0.14 0.10 0.34

2012 6.80 5.35 0.69 0.21 0.31

2013 11.06 8.22 0.54 0.08 0.39

2014 10.30 6.12 0.43 0.07 0.31

2015 12.93 7.22 0.64 0.08 0.39

2016 10.95 9.98 0.78 0.10 0.38

2017 7.58 5.64 0.58 0.15 0.26 Mean 9.09 5.72 0.76 0.84 0.10 0.59

2012–2016 10.41 7.38 0.62 0.11 0.36

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Table 3.1.5.4. Catch per unit of effort (cpue) for salmon rod fisheries in each Region in UK (England & Wales), 1997–2017. [Cpue is expressed as number of salmon (including released fish) caught per 100 days fished].

Year Region NRW England & Wales NE Thames Southern SW Midlands Wales Wales 1997 5.0 0.6 3.1 5.2 1.7 2.6 2.6 4.0 1998 6.5 0.0 5.9 7.5 1.3 3.9 3.9 6.0 1999 7.4 0.3 3.1 6.3 2.1 3.5 3.5 5.5 2000 9.2 0.0 5.2 8.8 4.9 4.4 4.4 7.9 2001 11.3 0.0 11.0 6.6 5.4 5.5 5.5 8.7 2002 9.4 0.0 18.3 6.0 3.5 3.6 3.6 6.8 2003 9.7 0.0 8.8 4.7 5.2 2.9 2.9 5.7 2004 14.7 0.0 18.8 9.6 5.5 6.6 6.6 11.4 2005 12.4 0.0 12.7 6.2 6.6 4.5 4.5 9.0 2006 14.2 0.0 15.6 8.7 6.6 5.9 5.9 10.1 2007 11.7 0.0 18.0 8.7 5.7 6.0 6.0 9.6 2008 12.7 0.0 21.8 10.9 5.8 7.3 7.3 10.5 2009 9.5 0.0 13.7 5.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 6.6 2010 16.7 2.8 17.1 9.9 4.3 6.5 6.5 10.2 2011 17.5 0.0 14.5 9.4 6.5 6.0 6.0 10.9 2012 15.4 0.0 17.3 9.2 6.3 6.5 6.5 10.6 2013 16.7 0.0 10.0 5.9 7.9 5.7 5.7 8.9 2014 12.1 0.0 11.9 4.8 5.0 6.9 4.4 7.1 2015 8.7 0.0 16.6 8.8 9.0 7.0 4.8 7.1 2016 13.5 0.0 16.8 7.8 9.5 8.5 6.4 9.1 2017 13.5 0.0 13.6 8.7 8.0 9.3 6.6 9.4 Mean 11.8 0.2 13.0 7.6 5.4 5.6 5.1 8.3

Mean (2012–2016) 13.3 0.0 14.5 7.3 7.5 6.9 5.6 8.6

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Table 3.1.5.5. Cpue data for Scottish net fisheries. Catch in numbers of fish per unit effort.

Year Fixed engine Net and coble cpue

CATCH/TRAP MONTH 1 CATCH/CREW MONTH 1952 33.9 156.4 1953 33.1 121.7 1954 29.3 162.0 1955 37.1 201.8 1956 25.7 117.5 1957 32.6 178.7 1958 48.4 170.4 1959 33.3 159.3 1960 30.7 177.8 1961 31.0 155.2 1962 43.9 242.0 1963 44.2 182.9 1964 57.9 247.1 1965 43.7 188.6 1966 44.9 210.6 1967 72.6 329.8 1968 47.0 198.5 1969 65.5 327.6 1970 50.3 241.9 1971 57.2 231.6 1972 57.5 248.0 1973 73.7 240.6 1974 63.4 257.1 1975 53.6 235.7 1976 42.9 150.8 1977 45.6 188.7 1978 53.9 196.1 1979 42.2 157.2 1980 37.6 158.6 1981 49.6 183.9 1982 61.3 180.2 1983 55.8 203.6 1984 58.9 155.3 1985 49.6 148.9 1986 75.2 193.4 1987 61.8 145.6 1988 50.6 198.4 1989 71.0 262.4 1990 33.2 146.0 1991 35.9 106.4 1992 59.6 153.7 1993 52.8 125.2 100 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Year Fixed engine Net and coble cpue

CATCH/TRAP MONTH 1 CATCH/CREW MONTH 1994 92.1 123.7 1995 75.6 142.3 1996 57.5 110.9 1997 33.0 57.8 1998 36.0 68.7 1999 21.9 58.8 2000 54.4 105.5 2001 61.0 77.4 2002 35.9 67.0 2003 68.3 66.8 2004 42.9 54.5 2005 45.8 80.9 2006 45.8 73.3 2007 47.6 91.5 2008 56.1 52.5 2009 42.2 73.3 2010 77.0 179.3 2011 62.6 80.7 2012 50.2 46.7 2013 64.6 129.4 2014 60.6 79.2 2015 74.8 50.2 2016 0.0 65.4 2017 0.0 52.8 Mean 49.3 151.9 2012–2016 50.0 74.2

1 Excludes catch and effort for Solway Region. * No information on effort for fixed presented due to fishery regulation.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 101

Table 3.1.5.6. Catch per unit of effort for the marine fishery in Norway. The cpue is expressed as numbers of salmon caught per net day in bag nets and bendnets divided by salmon weight.

Bag net Bendnet

Year <3kg 3–7 kg >7 kg < 3kg 3–7 kg >7 kg 1998 0.88 0.66 0.12 0.80 0.56 0.13 1999 1.16 0.72 0.16 0.75 0.67 0.17 2000 2.01 0.90 0.17 1.24 0.87 0.17 2001 1.52 1.03 0.22 1.03 1.39 0.36 2002 0.91 1.03 0.26 0.74 0.87 0.32 2003 1.57 0.90 0.26 0.84 0.69 0.28 2004 0.89 0.97 0.25 0.59 0.60 0.17 2005 1.17 0.81 0.27 0.72 0.73 0.33 2006 1.02 1.33 0.27 0.72 0.86 0.29 2007 0.43 0.90 0.32 0.57 0.95 0.33 2008 1.07 1.13 0.43 0.57 0.97 0.57 2009 0.73 0.92 0.31 0.44 0.78 0.32 2010 1.46 1.13 0.39 0.82 1.00 0.38 2011 1.30 1.98 0.35 0.71 1.02 0.36 2012 1.12 1.26 0.43 0.89 1.03 0.41 2013 0.69 1.09 0.25 0.38 1.30 0.29 2014 1.83 1.08 0.24 1.27 1.08 0.29 2015 1.32 1.61 0.30 0.41 1.16 0.22 2016 0.84 1.40 0.35 0.55 1.83 0.42 2017 1.65 1.35 0.30 1.02 1.49 0.45 Mean 1.18 1.11 0.28 0.75 0.99 0.31

2012–2016 1.16 1.29 0.31 0.70 1.28 0.33

102 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.1.6.1. Percentage of 1SW salmon in catches from countries in the Northeast Atlantic, 1987– 2017. The total for the combined countries is averages weighted by catch.

Year Icel Finl Nor Rus Swe North UK UK Fra Spain South and and way sia den ern (Scot (E&W nce (Astu ern count ) ) rias) count ries ries 1987 66 61 71 63 61 68 77 63

1988 63 64 53 62 57 69 29 60

1989 69 66 73 73 41 72 63 65 33 63 1990 66 64 68 73 75 69 48 52 45 41 49 1991 71 59 65 70 74 66 53 71 39 27 57 1992 72 70 62 72 69 65 55 77 48 31 59 1993 76 58 61 61 67 63 57 81 74 25 64 1994 63 55 68 69 67 67 54 77 55 38 61 1995 71 59 58 70 85 62 53 72 60 18 59 1996 73 79 53 80 68 61 53 65 51 18 56 1997 73 69 64 82 57 68 54 73 51 18 60 1998 82 75 66 82 66 70 58 82 71 33 64 1999 70 80 65 78 81 68 45 68 27 11 54 2000 82 69 67 75 69 68 54 79 58 39 64 2001 78 52 58 74 54 60 55 75 51 26 62 2002 83 40 49 70 62 54 54 76 69 25 63 2003 75 50 61 67 79 62 52 66 51 12 55 2004 86 50 52 68 50 58 51 81 40 37 58 2005 87 74 67 66 59 69 58 76 41 13 61 2006 84 73 54 77 61 60 57 78 50 14 61 2007 91 35 42 69 34 50 57 78 45 20 61 2008 90 37 46 58 36 54 48 76 42 10 54 2009 91 72 49 63 40 60 49 72 42 23 54 2010 82 56 56 58 49 61 55 78 67 25 63 2011 85 68 41 58 32 50 36 57 35 2 44 2012 86 75 47 70 30 55 49 50 38 15 48 2013 90 65 52 65 38 62 55 58 47 12 55 2014 80 70 59 63 46 62 49 54 40 4 48 2015 91 60 51 65 21 59 60 47 34 4 51 2016 81 53 43 66 27 48 50 42 51 23 44 2017 77 41 48 46 19 51 46 40 61 22 44

Mean s 1987– 72 67 64 72 68 66 55 71 51 27 60 2000

2001– 85 57 51 65 43 57 52 65 47 17 54 2016

103 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.2.1.1. Conservation limit options for NEAC stock groups estimated from river-specific values, where available, or the national PFA run-reconstruction model. SERs based on the CLs used are also shown.

National Model CLs River Specific CLs Conservation limit used SER 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW Northern NEAC

Finland 13,408 9,613 13,408 9,613 16,282 16,463 Iceland (north & east) 5,551 1,753 5,551 1,753 6,843 3,001 Norway 55,027 73,708 55,027 73,708 69,889 122,505 Russia 61,363 33,255 61,363 33,255 78,034 59,669 Sweden 1,981 2,625 1,981 2,625 2,553 4,562 Stock Complex 137,330 120,953 173,601 206,201

National Model CLs River Specific CLs Conservation limit used SER 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW Southern NEAC

France 17,400 5,100 17,400 5,100 22,432 9,411 Iceland (south & west) 17,419 1,275 17,419 1,275 21,472 2,184 Ireland 211,471 46,943 211,471 46,943 268,586 78,021 UK (E & W) 53,988 29,918 53,988 29,918 68,569 51,234 UK (NI) 19,832 3,318 19,832 3,318 24,264 5,563 UK (Sco) 334,810 237,573 334,810 237,573 425,236 403,668 Stock Complex 654,921 324,126 830,559 550,081

104 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.3.4.1. Estimated number of returning 1SW salmon by NEAC country or region and year.

Northern NEAC Southern NEAC NEAC Area

Year Finland Iceland Norway Russia Sweden Total France Iceland Ireland UK(EW) UK(NI) UK(Scot) Total Total N&E 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% S&W 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 1971 26,117 9,441 154,434 17,175 49,941 62,291 1,053,608 82,408 182,242 658,917 1,884,669 2,098,424 2,381,168 1972 101,817 8,623 117,386 13,635 98,888 50,799 1,122,146 79,248 158,503 648,291 1,935,843 2,171,424 2,477,282 1973 47,127 10,338 172,828 16,931 61,020 54,305 1,223,101 93,590 138,878 814,322 2,143,340 2,399,532 2,733,665 1974 65,371 10,307 172,415 24,419 28,486 38,764 1,397,924 117,351 151,645 793,573 2,248,254 2,535,967 2,908,240 1975 78,345 12,556 264,475 26,488 56,581 60,166 1,536,906 120,033 124,335 660,696 2,263,229 2,573,137 2,984,530 1976 71,071 12,632 184,310 14,961 52,481 47,529 1,049,052 80,858 86,402 504,349 1,614,682 1,832,059 2,112,825 1977 40,171 17,549 117,550 6,766 39,587 48,701 909,097 91,614 85,488 626,752 1,617,239 1,810,979 2,058,803 1978 38,240 17,847 118,683 8,026 41,156 63,707 793,958 104,510 111,097 654,447 1,603,537 1,779,877 1,997,135 1979 34,290 17,050 164,175 8,249 46,830 58,728 725,994 99,537 77,943 652,793 1,508,037 1,674,576 1,883,801 1980 27,079 2,584 117,084 10,647 97,655 26,614 553,775 93,714 98,593 446,300 1,197,402 1,329,447 1,487,006 1981 24,268 13,306 96,599 19,398 77,756 34,525 292,150 97,958 77,263 575,121 1,071,665 1,164,236 1,270,924 1982 14,429 6,133 84,887 17,139 48,157 35,363 603,800 83,353 112,014 642,072 1,407,213 1,534,068 1,678,466 1983 35,308 9,039 698,466 142,385 22,679 816,890 911,143 1,018,575 51,572 44,718 1,064,841 122,228 156,856 734,622 1,987,760 2,186,063 2,425,964 2,877,080 3,100,371 3,359,168 1984 38,665 3,283 728,799 152,942 31,972 858,061 957,833 1,078,531 84,683 27,513 558,177 106,859 61,717 750,645 1,459,818 1,605,569 1,781,981 2,381,260 2,568,046 2,780,608 1985 50,946 22,719 742,682 209,593 38,213 965,662 1,068,685 1,186,340 31,489 44,525 925,678 106,882 79,934 632,308 1,656,814 1,828,281 2,036,962 2,697,995 2,899,646 3,134,658 1986 40,363 28,174 646,645 179,394 40,026 849,917 938,922 1,034,299 48,488 73,289 1,038,376 123,376 89,868 753,947 1,945,797 2,149,114 2,389,725 2,865,210 3,090,048 3,344,460 1987 48,916 16,645 544,260 190,870 31,724 760,157 835,679 919,382 85,951 45,594 671,201 128,547 49,070 615,810 1,459,245 1,622,159 1,822,515 2,280,889 2,460,972 2,675,196 1988 28,653 23,994 498,378 131,978 26,525 648,388 711,402 783,890 29,431 81,732 908,300 175,686 115,948 810,064 1,937,942 2,138,696 2,370,902 2,640,001 2,851,020 3,092,299 1989 62,333 12,942 549,666 196,748 7,747 755,978 830,438 922,571 16,209 45,571 650,763 118,667 111,370 899,707 1,687,040 1,855,187 2,054,706 2,497,878 2,688,210 2,905,524 1990 62,629 9,680 493,373 163,289 17,974 681,112 748,774 826,286 26,959 42,101 407,624 85,070 92,183 586,112 1,144,062 1,251,798 1,378,203 1,870,776 2,002,842 2,149,880 1991 61,640 14,062 429,624 138,545 22,547 607,994 669,269 738,686 19,486 46,444 291,529 84,046 51,486 490,891 904,326 993,716 1,097,405 1,553,385 1,664,015 1,790,649 1992 86,782 26,452 362,102 171,222 25,141 618,112 675,577 738,668 35,391 53,094 422,784 87,727 104,261 623,274 1,222,552 1,342,316 1,475,173 1,886,895 2,018,012 2,164,842 1993 58,627 21,785 362,345 146,776 24,825 567,730 618,098 674,535 51,534 51,869 343,697 121,785 122,081 701,894 1,286,168 1,413,220 1,570,612 1,893,980 2,031,584 2,195,898 1994 32,570 6,986 492,022 173,535 19,362 656,558 727,856 810,710 39,993 42,685 439,852 135,265 83,860 730,284 1,358,855 1,490,170 1,649,147 2,068,380 2,220,390 2,395,735 1995 32,507 18,241 321,123 155,805 28,155 512,484 559,604 611,323 13,239 52,870 491,791 103,532 77,786 701,987 1,318,197 1,453,124 1,613,384 1,870,506 2,013,681 2,182,743 1996 49,947 9,768 244,286 212,199 16,759 490,714 536,434 586,647 16,528 45,659 456,970 76,612 80,309 538,304 1,105,390 1,224,627 1,362,767 1,632,691 1,763,021 1,907,958 1997 45,410 13,379 282,815 208,507 7,557 511,578 560,296 614,363 8,531 33,323 457,213 68,756 95,624 459,623 1,023,565 1,131,567 1,258,654 1,572,463 1,692,970 1,830,368 1998 56,922 22,700 368,081 227,533 6,193 624,760 685,619 754,637 16,536 45,627 478,279 75,541 207,658 530,778 1,252,633 1,365,342 1,503,719 1,923,209 2,053,365 2,206,749 1999 83,758 11,524 342,210 176,719 9,734 573,835 627,121 686,489 5,509 37,019 447,048 59,779 54,215 347,490 862,975 957,470 1,067,659 1,475,422 1,585,698 1,709,936 2000 91,134 12,133 563,545 192,915 17,858 803,375 881,821 971,067 14,335 32,843 620,066 91,126 78,744 545,977 1,258,583 1,393,312 1,552,317 2,118,488 2,278,294 2,455,114 2001 65,935 11,030 486,443 260,699 10,987 751,642 841,358 949,186 12,413 29,566 492,978 79,979 63,246 570,691 1,153,412 1,259,099 1,378,890 1,961,343 2,104,670 2,262,695 2002 40,719 19,137 297,595 236,512 10,605 541,643 608,779 699,475 27,987 36,805 431,019 75,602 114,536 436,822 1,046,365 1,135,098 1,234,946 1,631,971 1,749,080 1,878,488 2003 40,198 10,117 412,916 212,168 5,776 610,844 684,726 774,364 18,405 43,980 422,000 58,446 70,267 403,428 940,980 1,030,333 1,131,864 1,597,002 1,717,269 1,851,643 2004 17,038 27,366 249,815 148,257 4,861 404,305 450,748 506,098 22,142 44,147 310,144 104,921 67,442 557,473 1,023,927 1,122,032 1,236,272 1,463,384 1,575,267 1,699,627 2005 37,470 24,356 370,228 168,771 4,745 549,137 609,714 684,220 14,495 65,044 309,483 85,546 84,692 573,623 1,045,646 1,146,539 1,262,950 1,637,892 1,760,004 1,894,203 2006 65,579 25,677 300,103 204,331 5,280 543,673 605,280 682,868 20,192 46,083 237,111 84,049 57,364 496,688 867,092 955,977 1,064,728 1,450,905 1,564,371 1,693,827 2007 19,115 19,080 167,883 110,089 1,633 286,602 319,889 360,636 15,820 52,638 157,052 80,009 84,770 513,382 823,724 926,679 1,069,508 1,137,470 1,249,561 1,394,800 2008 20,687 17,394 210,309 114,691 2,568 330,401 368,339 412,793 15,863 63,850 251,998 78,642 53,318 410,365 780,844 897,207 1,105,461 1,142,788 1,267,552 1,478,193 2009 36,725 28,174 168,742 109,218 2,706 313,386 347,605 386,472 4,494 72,167 207,040 49,197 33,234 317,967 610,385 698,851 857,410 950,201 1,048,338 1,209,854 2010 29,535 22,431 249,843 123,390 4,606 390,448 432,543 480,757 14,964 73,960 272,050 98,205 33,019 564,906 947,079 1,083,460 1,309,306 1,372,153 1,518,844 1,746,124 2011 33,433 18,509 175,535 131,466 3,937 329,310 365,423 408,135 10,334 52,039 235,006 66,004 23,840 313,208 621,896 716,826 902,674 980,531 1,084,928 1,272,013 2012 57,852 9,679 195,574 152,458 5,600 382,034 424,561 478,425 11,276 29,494 242,200 38,222 54,146 385,169 677,328 791,192 995,354 1,092,220 1,220,297 1,428,220 2013 33,486 23,092 184,338 117,490 3,221 327,607 365,942 412,550 15,882 87,949 205,040 53,365 61,052 310,568 659,582 768,594 941,426 1,018,594 1,137,267 1,311,744 2014 47,635 10,871 251,360 111,515 8,856 386,313 435,331 493,000 13,957 21,613 124,846 31,340 27,573 173,886 353,674 410,477 502,968 769,512 849,296 955,031 2015 29,523 30,479 221,759 116,554 3,920 364,271 406,645 457,794 13,047 60,475 180,069 38,133 29,334 281,063 541,103 623,745 761,067 935,602 1,034,723 1,177,294 2016 23,065 12,900 171,741 82,742 2,464 267,131 300,322 349,222 11,705 35,536 176,521 41,142 55,809 272,279 532,043 616,741 761,828 824,805 921,824 1,070,259 2017 12,535 13,697 226,896 29,847 2,357 256,661 289,283 328,645 17,653 36,347 214,005 29,404 32,687 226,665 489,209 575,779 744,664 770,354 867,386 1,038,511

10yr Av. 32,447 18,723 205,610 108,937 4,024 334,756 373,599 420,779 12,917 53,343 210,878 52,366 40,401 325,607 621,314 718,287 888,216 985,676 1,095,045 1,268,724

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 105

Table 3.3.4.2. Estimated number of returning MSW salmon by NEAC country or region and year.

Northern NEAC Southern NEAC NEAC Area Year Finland Iceland Norway Russia Sweden Total France Iceland Ireland UK(EW) UK(NI) UK(Scot) Total Total N&E 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% S&W 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 1971 23,982 9,662 132,774 638 10,849 24,360 158,205 90,866 21,891 381,480 631,900 693,528 765,741 1972 25,174 15,090 134,638 506 21,676 37,467 168,595 150,450 19,129 488,354 815,470 893,597 986,635 1973 40,609 14,119 222,669 2,256 13,279 33,851 183,283 115,453 16,764 478,732 771,612 848,353 938,141 1974 68,918 13,391 210,269 1,418 6,157 29,146 206,239 84,193 18,304 356,136 638,782 706,038 788,874 1975 88,768 14,784 224,898 402 12,316 30,957 230,733 114,842 15,025 453,131 778,120 865,987 971,553 1976 69,209 12,180 194,899 1,210 9,020 26,734 160,058 60,505 10,435 252,872 469,197 524,842 593,537 1977 48,136 16,964 134,494 520 6,916 26,139 139,269 76,608 10,264 362,418 568,577 627,525 698,933 1978 24,642 21,838 115,941 639 7,074 33,917 121,217 64,154 13,419 470,817 646,017 716,344 801,623 1979 24,332 14,429 101,556 1,666 8,156 21,591 108,758 31,789 9,389 368,803 496,290 553,026 620,404 1980 23,806 20,132 169,111 3,231 16,988 30,404 119,417 103,587 11,940 497,141 713,886 787,042 874,396 1981 28,360 7,032 96,441 717 11,603 20,328 88,456 145,288 9,329 488,466 701,956 770,551 853,469 1982 37,909 8,067 85,387 3,494 7,222 14,323 51,701 56,446 13,507 308,746 415,589 454,885 501,926 1983 41,495 6,152 428,587 124,051 2,275 547,636 604,882 670,488 7,767 23,910 105,894 63,868 18,954 336,016 513,785 560,736 613,036 1,091,525 1,166,795 1,250,109 1984 34,902 7,952 438,969 123,881 3,191 553,840 610,675 674,609 12,650 20,293 76,493 51,629 7,472 308,987 433,657 481,182 538,538 1,017,054 1,093,210 1,177,087 1985 33,787 5,116 405,118 135,464 1,182 529,888 582,909 642,252 9,488 14,688 83,571 75,671 9,663 317,645 468,122 515,007 572,688 1,026,547 1,099,227 1,180,284 1986 27,831 13,936 485,770 133,595 602 600,727 664,110 735,768 9,741 12,258 94,665 103,493 10,843 391,557 571,433 627,832 695,832 1,207,979 1,293,785 1,388,856 1987 36,446 14,449 367,484 99,346 2,734 474,184 522,682 578,366 5,148 10,919 117,861 83,121 5,546 259,192 438,958 485,428 539,256 939,923 1,009,169 1,087,007 1988 25,801 9,320 306,338 99,688 2,914 406,781 445,507 489,032 14,131 12,395 84,804 107,968 15,627 265,867 457,395 505,940 563,768 887,954 952,831 1,023,692 1989 25,223 7,882 219,761 97,095 10,195 332,110 361,561 394,512 6,525 11,082 77,658 87,422 12,463 262,898 415,976 462,132 515,702 768,452 824,798 886,680 1990 27,694 8,335 260,173 124,593 5,340 392,378 427,485 468,873 6,641 11,023 37,277 106,221 11,314 289,968 418,644 466,834 526,370 834,100 895,869 966,450 1991 37,413 5,761 219,759 122,265 7,193 363,133 394,107 429,264 6,038 10,964 56,068 46,703 5,814 221,712 315,094 350,050 394,985 697,050 745,342 801,479 1992 36,367 8,606 239,870 116,344 9,949 380,265 412,647 448,913 7,692 12,339 43,025 35,974 13,320 198,949 285,471 313,546 347,247 682,929 727,106 774,896 1993 37,879 9,712 229,818 137,720 11,284 397,944 427,930 461,107 3,571 6,059 42,013 39,378 31,417 208,680 300,061 336,120 379,659 718,004 765,078 818,788 1994 35,639 8,223 224,378 122,001 8,551 370,669 401,235 435,231 7,626 9,807 67,544 55,854 11,046 266,996 379,925 422,272 474,186 770,879 824,016 885,966 1995 23,481 5,238 240,735 138,709 4,219 382,985 413,745 449,090 3,635 10,081 65,233 55,891 9,341 287,580 391,214 435,382 490,216 794,620 850,604 913,296 1996 21,583 6,871 241,201 104,479 6,992 352,893 383,216 416,237 6,499 6,480 43,665 57,459 10,187 235,775 323,226 364,242 416,881 694,977 748,534 808,700 1997 26,128 3,858 159,376 85,266 4,992 259,550 281,109 305,070 3,336 7,300 56,209 35,877 12,756 172,316 258,562 293,651 337,650 533,790 575,528 625,000 1998 24,929 5,631 191,227 105,415 2,789 306,654 331,334 359,136 2,829 4,520 32,834 23,028 17,527 151,096 209,871 234,566 265,741 530,973 566,897 607,335 1999 29,722 6,455 204,424 92,985 1,990 308,424 336,837 369,702 6,071 8,811 51,121 46,745 7,963 169,580 257,390 299,824 358,832 584,493 638,201 704,377 2000 56,377 3,785 282,745 162,324 7,044 475,772 514,968 557,575 4,231 2,388 64,089 48,181 10,636 171,861 271,558 306,398 352,083 768,907 822,860 884,615 2001 68,458 4,350 333,184 115,077 8,440 487,412 531,766 580,578 4,945 4,208 56,813 51,526 6,618 227,301 313,006 358,485 418,546 826,690 891,592 967,275 2002 60,117 4,109 288,945 125,499 5,780 445,328 486,657 532,549 4,588 4,562 65,561 46,793 8,471 160,394 259,248 296,977 344,487 726,313 784,831 849,594 2003 43,237 4,311 255,641 87,195 1,384 360,714 393,649 430,293 6,573 7,262 68,823 60,603 5,080 181,507 292,660 337,351 397,631 674,735 732,611 801,553 2004 19,654 4,247 231,387 67,246 4,255 299,407 327,601 361,485 12,430 5,893 37,930 50,991 5,346 252,383 322,539 370,946 434,167 642,818 700,226 768,824 2005 16,320 5,252 213,494 80,599 2,842 293,490 319,488 348,248 7,647 5,194 49,347 56,451 6,733 246,049 330,373 377,515 437,838 642,861 697,772 763,726 2006 25,687 5,036 270,310 77,191 2,990 351,275 382,222 417,574 7,700 4,316 35,630 50,972 5,302 297,349 354,601 409,122 477,442 728,595 792,470 869,086 2007 37,272 4,836 229,898 80,451 2,787 329,452 356,284 386,115 7,282 2,647 13,848 48,741 5,489 253,843 292,015 337,200 394,883 641,056 694,879 758,642 2008 37,347 6,253 265,266 126,011 3,932 402,912 440,916 486,021 8,076 3,024 18,755 52,934 4,298 341,252 377,515 434,628 509,072 807,464 878,275 961,649 2009 16,083 5,034 207,629 107,073 3,465 310,905 340,776 375,923 3,709 4,699 23,571 40,814 4,340 285,699 321,525 368,799 430,049 652,188 710,981 778,734 2010 25,814 7,119 228,779 132,356 3,999 364,746 400,168 440,344 3,077 9,706 21,974 60,549 6,353 371,499 419,568 479,734 556,328 809,686 881,824 964,942 2011 19,903 7,971 319,173 131,697 7,547 441,918 488,267 540,956 8,659 4,930 23,703 101,249 8,096 462,663 535,977 620,982 731,235 1,011,708 1,110,838 1,231,595 2012 23,993 4,487 279,882 64,976 10,656 347,161 385,276 427,768 6,831 2,802 21,015 80,083 18,930 361,161 436,722 504,021 589,937 811,786 890,646 986,448 2013 23,182 5,128 197,090 74,244 4,569 277,608 305,470 336,638 7,028 7,784 23,870 77,962 6,087 328,958 399,334 462,030 542,692 699,285 769,124 854,866 2014 25,059 6,149 202,559 73,627 9,085 286,170 318,099 354,138 8,732 4,746 19,883 52,518 3,306 217,321 271,780 313,040 368,151 578,844 632,634 696,321 2015 24,230 5,893 255,661 69,096 9,768 329,410 366,369 410,137 9,911 4,327 20,763 85,925 4,235 270,952 348,697 405,024 486,399 702,606 774,118 862,936 2016 25,881 7,031 281,315 59,048 4,076 340,231 378,421 420,944 4,187 6,177 19,915 112,186 7,809 287,249 379,904 448,316 550,213 747,369 829,151 937,487 2017 17,833 4,057 285,363 54,561 4,167 327,704 366,739 412,432 4,256 8,366 27,229 88,681 5,215 260,899 345,149 403,768 487,922 698,509 773,117 866,481

10yr Av. 23,933 5,912 252,272 89,269 6,126 342,876 379,050 420,530 6,447 5,656 22,068 75,290 6,867 318,765 383,617 444,034 525,200 751,945 825,071 914,146

106 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.3.4.3. Estimated pre-fishery abundance of maturing 1SW salmon (potential 1SW returns) by NEAC country or region and year.

Northern NEAC Southern NEAC NEAC Area Year Finland Iceland Norway Russia Sweden Total France Iceland Ireland UK(EW) UK(NI) UK(Scot) Total Total N&E 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% S&W 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 1971 31,856 11,748 NA 22,116 64,633 77,130 1,347,376 105,823 222,959 842,475 2,337,600 2,673,746 3,091,509 1972 123,962 10,731 150,935 17,628 128,270 62,846 1,430,769 101,729 194,723 828,718 2,404,353 2,765,507 3,218,743 1973 57,507 12,880 222,230 21,853 79,188 67,383 1,562,477 120,398 170,618 1,043,379 2,659,812 3,063,260 3,548,561 1974 79,463 12,777 220,966 31,518 36,870 48,042 1,786,138 149,999 185,899 1,012,087 2,789,470 3,230,690 3,781,092 1975 95,197 15,579 339,998 34,153 73,317 74,432 1,953,983 153,292 152,453 845,694 2,815,018 3,272,652 3,861,062 1976 86,465 15,658 236,934 19,315 68,108 58,854 1,335,273 103,312 106,020 643,258 2,005,675 2,330,268 2,742,034 1977 48,948 21,743 151,649 8,736 51,253 60,211 1,158,355 117,080 104,985 800,692 2,001,499 2,306,090 2,671,353 1978 46,601 22,063 153,087 10,366 53,236 78,628 1,011,310 133,261 136,100 835,099 1,982,586 2,260,135 2,600,595 1979 41,765 21,096 211,551 10,637 60,639 72,684 927,388 127,129 95,675 832,218 1,871,353 2,132,058 2,446,629 1980 33,056 3,279 151,003 13,716 126,516 33,154 710,290 120,415 121,326 571,827 1,491,835 1,698,797 1,944,687 1981 29,770 16,575 125,138 25,013 100,716 43,043 379,541 126,726 96,201 741,795 1,341,798 1,501,226 1,680,057 1982 17,829 7,751 109,836 22,127 62,742 44,115 775,091 108,020 138,310 825,802 1,755,296 1,966,925 2,214,106 1983 43,273 11,404 889,276 183,496 29,304 1,018,164 1,160,139 1,330,999 67,566 55,790 1,364,118 158,111 193,610 946,472 2,482,294 2,802,665 3,172,469 3,570,933 3,967,083 4,415,277 1984 47,110 4,156 927,356 196,463 41,154 1,064,366 1,220,778 1,397,246 109,779 34,281 714,738 137,177 76,366 960,949 1,810,985 2,051,466 2,332,254 2,942,971 3,276,724 3,652,756 1985 62,042 28,132 944,601 269,811 49,273 1,195,092 1,359,635 1,547,176 40,894 55,187 1,180,901 137,075 98,643 809,381 2,061,711 2,334,611 2,654,439 3,332,729 3,697,878 4,117,227 1986 49,142 34,892 823,014 230,532 51,637 1,055,457 1,192,643 1,351,784 62,865 90,574 1,324,401 157,843 110,295 963,846 2,411,531 2,733,562 3,129,601 3,532,024 3,929,765 4,397,063 1987 59,500 20,511 691,651 245,342 40,919 939,636 1,063,205 1,200,716 111,438 56,387 855,085 164,257 60,385 785,396 1,810,942 2,066,483 2,382,344 2,807,846 3,135,392 3,510,816 1988 34,959 29,771 634,760 169,576 34,211 801,210 905,218 1,024,597 38,340 101,378 1,155,386 225,043 142,325 1,036,900 2,405,604 2,720,771 3,097,236 3,265,914 3,628,212 4,061,076 1989 75,901 16,073 699,680 251,777 10,012 933,692 1,055,526 1,199,582 21,221 56,513 831,672 151,846 136,535 1,147,701 2,091,897 2,361,969 2,683,123 3,080,989 3,423,282 3,810,649 1990 76,252 12,024 628,752 208,742 23,338 841,271 951,323 1,077,090 35,085 52,142 520,789 109,169 112,981 749,796 1,414,745 1,595,793 1,803,083 2,303,137 2,548,828 2,822,712 1991 74,841 17,356 546,698 178,035 29,128 750,970 849,213 962,144 25,237 57,452 371,275 107,332 63,043 626,123 1,118,628 1,263,649 1,429,689 1,910,250 2,114,828 2,346,667 1992 105,347 32,726 460,454 218,952 32,419 760,640 854,276 960,915 45,571 65,613 538,107 111,847 127,225 794,165 1,509,610 1,702,531 1,921,806 2,313,476 2,560,011 2,832,989 1993 71,158 26,957 461,742 188,008 32,122 699,572 783,371 877,393 66,764 64,084 437,913 155,181 148,992 894,430 1,585,881 1,794,119 2,041,772 2,323,962 2,578,358 2,874,859 1994 39,567 8,630 626,202 223,681 24,966 813,325 926,362 1,059,234 51,655 52,707 559,656 172,570 102,417 931,422 1,673,607 1,893,067 2,153,138 2,536,392 2,823,143 3,147,421 1995 39,531 22,558 408,377 199,945 36,459 634,069 710,808 799,488 17,048 65,279 626,061 131,994 95,161 894,316 1,628,888 1,843,995 2,100,944 2,296,935 2,558,273 2,859,045 1996 60,742 12,064 310,886 272,771 21,642 606,902 681,729 767,330 21,394 56,362 580,523 97,631 98,283 685,183 1,367,440 1,553,008 1,773,128 2,009,532 2,237,513 2,497,257 1997 55,170 16,509 359,459 267,446 9,797 632,434 712,205 803,078 11,042 41,101 581,074 87,630 116,641 584,647 1,263,508 1,433,716 1,631,544 1,930,608 2,147,756 2,391,208 1998 69,178 28,050 468,593 292,777 8,008 770,391 870,374 987,876 21,459 56,346 608,354 96,263 253,656 676,426 1,535,240 1,726,699 1,950,087 2,352,299 2,600,780 2,884,611 1999 101,755 14,254 434,929 226,246 12,559 705,541 793,449 894,347 7,127 45,721 568,175 76,089 66,169 442,826 1,066,351 1,214,434 1,390,946 1,810,471 2,010,595 2,239,328 2000 110,710 14,982 715,753 248,115 23,111 990,955 1,118,295 1,264,613 18,473 40,543 786,934 116,079 96,031 694,562 1,557,565 1,767,621 2,017,205 2,603,977 2,887,919 3,209,014 2001 80,145 13,576 618,946 334,597 14,205 932,085 1,068,606 1,235,626 15,996 36,431 627,365 101,897 77,227 725,313 1,423,477 1,596,074 1,803,156 2,410,683 2,668,744 2,971,369 2002 49,496 23,659 378,258 303,677 13,697 670,679 774,948 910,364 36,122 45,413 548,806 96,099 139,806 555,088 1,282,644 1,436,735 1,610,257 2,000,088 2,215,335 2,462,263 2003 48,928 12,475 525,200 271,551 7,470 757,143 870,969 1,005,339 23,731 54,284 537,273 74,398 85,854 514,580 1,158,014 1,304,345 1,475,537 1,962,075 2,178,605 2,424,611 2004 20,707 33,872 317,590 190,004 6,270 499,994 572,685 658,767 28,640 54,391 394,900 133,534 82,448 708,580 1,264,477 1,422,623 1,607,537 1,795,320 1,998,149 2,221,716 2005 45,525 30,114 469,836 216,532 6,111 679,451 773,914 888,711 18,693 80,228 393,056 108,824 103,350 729,317 1,288,132 1,451,866 1,640,663 2,013,334 2,230,594 2,474,155 2006 79,622 31,683 381,736 261,467 6,825 671,586 767,178 884,365 26,109 56,823 301,489 107,134 70,017 632,286 1,070,145 1,210,716 1,383,503 1,781,206 1,982,680 2,213,327 2007 23,233 23,558 213,649 140,910 2,116 353,993 406,002 468,960 20,388 64,964 199,596 101,600 103,355 653,877 1,017,912 1,174,581 1,376,960 1,401,758 1,584,364 1,806,243 2008 25,144 21,480 267,450 146,556 3,316 409,206 467,721 537,361 20,483 78,780 320,702 100,351 65,186 521,651 969,973 1,139,436 1,419,692 1,412,573 1,612,395 1,905,378 2009 44,701 34,801 214,164 137,961 3,496 385,189 437,950 498,725 5,800 88,992 263,113 62,574 40,521 404,675 757,172 887,840 1,101,234 1,171,227 1,331,393 1,553,708 2010 35,879 27,731 317,508 156,433 5,941 481,383 546,825 623,070 19,338 91,406 345,988 125,222 40,339 717,555 1,173,861 1,378,624 1,683,968 1,694,167 1,931,108 2,257,642 2011 40,686 22,885 223,409 166,918 5,082 405,949 461,844 527,774 13,348 64,278 298,921 84,034 29,207 398,421 771,169 912,915 1,159,064 1,207,873 1,380,477 1,635,863 2012 70,264 11,931 248,244 194,836 7,225 470,968 537,757 619,145 14,557 36,389 309,334 48,662 65,991 489,184 838,511 1,004,788 1,271,541 1,347,700 1,549,810 1,835,889 2013 40,648 28,533 234,359 151,078 4,166 404,284 464,523 534,450 20,499 108,606 261,515 68,101 74,581 394,938 817,607 972,373 1,202,056 1,254,567 1,441,200 1,688,789 2014 57,834 13,422 319,926 143,077 11,479 478,712 552,172 639,384 18,013 26,642 159,565 39,967 33,785 221,261 439,667 521,781 644,936 949,844 1,079,407 1,239,250 2015 35,910 37,718 281,937 149,664 5,079 450,346 516,411 594,198 16,835 74,732 228,492 48,566 35,877 358,204 671,188 791,559 976,159 1,153,717 1,311,958 1,520,622 2016 28,019 15,932 218,578 106,186 3,180 331,064 381,115 450,233 15,109 43,813 224,635 52,437 68,315 346,848 660,440 782,670 975,443 1,019,758 1,169,709 1,375,238 2017 15,220 16,934 288,664 38,216 3,036 317,817 366,724 424,625 22,685 44,949 271,000 37,483 40,021 288,310 608,383 729,976 951,224 953,777 1,102,160 1,334,930

10yr Av. 39,431 23,137 261,424 139,092 5,200 413,492 473,304 544,896 16,667 65,859 268,327 66,739 49,382 414,105 770,797 912,196 1,138,532 1,216,520 1,390,962 1,634,731

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 107

Table 3.3.4.4. Estimated pre-fishery abundance of non-maturing 1SW salmon (potential MSW returns) by NEAC country or region and year.

Northern NEAC Southern NEAC NEAC Area Year Finland Iceland Norway Russia Sweden Total France Iceland Ireland UK(EW) UK(NI) UK(Scot) Total Total N&E 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% S&W 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 1971 51,951 27,105 266,693 4,393 60,046 65,555 386,724 369,669 32,782 1,295,080 1,911,576 2,220,963 2,592,808 1972 79,187 25,463 429,223 7,074 39,465 59,295 385,499 282,000 28,956 1,162,584 1,683,092 1,966,549 2,305,436 1973 125,588 23,921 398,415 4,890 23,748 51,046 409,276 213,410 31,271 893,154 1,392,111 1,631,215 1,922,145 1974 161,116 26,448 429,843 3,257 33,958 54,182 443,980 260,097 25,982 1,027,601 1,567,134 1,857,171 2,210,725 1975 125,119 21,730 366,742 4,522 30,750 46,808 340,674 181,485 17,975 757,052 1,188,527 1,379,966 1,620,012 1976 86,740 29,634 253,588 2,363 20,406 45,436 273,490 174,328 17,582 792,849 1,126,163 1,330,900 1,577,350 1977 45,495 38,070 218,822 2,605 22,403 58,710 251,617 161,301 22,778 1,011,405 1,300,397 1,537,294 1,817,655 1978 47,170 25,423 199,100 4,349 20,732 37,757 211,010 86,354 16,244 754,865 953,767 1,132,322 1,352,635 1979 54,181 36,039 345,893 8,781 40,613 53,650 245,507 231,064 21,261 1,054,225 1,405,402 1,656,752 1,967,152 1980 70,324 14,357 238,983 5,766 30,871 37,043 193,779 306,888 17,753 1,056,851 1,400,671 1,655,243 1,958,225 1981 85,209 15,975 213,971 10,187 21,340 26,578 125,138 145,876 24,577 715,990 910,019 1,063,787 1,248,414 1982 87,140 12,237 835,030 269,630 7,205 1,020,074 1,214,007 1,450,424 20,793 42,692 207,593 148,626 33,172 723,320 1,003,544 1,180,508 1,389,958 2,045,050 2,396,788 2,808,369 1983 69,865 14,698 807,346 251,518 7,570 965,504 1,153,982 1,383,355 26,817 35,835 143,385 109,538 13,478 603,840 783,810 938,165 1,125,489 1,779,226 2,091,314 2,474,862 1984 68,591 9,908 755,175 276,216 4,121 934,553 1,116,483 1,340,724 20,637 26,278 152,890 149,363 17,242 611,289 823,465 982,193 1,180,316 1,781,470 2,099,535 2,490,335 1985 60,507 25,350 909,739 280,156 3,877 1,073,733 1,281,447 1,536,424 24,903 22,345 192,202 218,701 19,400 828,039 1,110,421 1,313,409 1,556,069 2,211,104 2,597,827 3,053,523 1986 74,600 26,110 705,647 214,963 7,467 862,312 1,031,814 1,238,347 16,583 19,973 231,530 184,339 10,451 607,473 914,535 1,074,917 1,275,162 1,797,469 2,108,375 2,483,156 1987 50,323 16,698 558,358 197,708 6,606 694,890 833,767 995,571 31,436 21,998 167,365 215,423 26,727 573,902 879,537 1,043,854 1,242,996 1,594,904 1,879,354 2,208,859 1988 50,874 14,408 427,113 197,201 19,627 597,407 711,612 848,086 18,829 19,848 163,399 187,939 21,552 603,401 865,799 1,020,322 1,210,425 1,478,812 1,731,640 2,039,596 1989 53,315 14,936 478,188 241,728 10,546 668,151 801,428 958,093 14,826 19,510 74,235 198,424 19,492 551,752 732,491 883,396 1,066,611 1,420,864 1,685,750 1,999,076 1990 68,090 10,325 393,607 231,509 13,338 600,284 719,059 860,047 12,586 19,254 99,478 88,530 10,109 406,752 531,139 642,058 771,163 1,147,158 1,363,596 1,609,962 1991 64,082 14,985 413,867 214,096 17,924 606,963 727,335 870,829 16,358 21,441 82,436 73,428 22,405 383,543 508,820 603,363 720,192 1,128,918 1,332,900 1,571,896 1992 66,977 16,955 395,755 253,172 20,231 633,347 755,359 902,980 8,239 10,578 78,571 76,960 52,696 389,777 519,968 624,558 755,435 1,170,038 1,380,590 1,635,674 1993 63,161 14,332 386,669 226,060 15,306 592,638 708,813 846,265 14,485 17,073 113,624 98,133 18,638 457,309 596,498 724,427 879,605 1,204,950 1,435,030 1,702,677 1994 42,435 9,205 416,697 258,320 7,771 613,730 736,371 882,923 7,080 17,589 109,936 98,503 15,846 492,057 614,510 746,904 909,137 1,245,701 1,482,753 1,766,228 1995 38,768 11,963 414,818 194,486 12,531 561,265 673,601 808,469 12,672 11,307 75,853 103,095 17,310 411,736 526,081 637,402 782,280 1,105,151 1,312,804 1,568,330 1996 45,056 6,656 265,884 154,519 8,839 402,537 482,310 581,428 6,575 12,590 95,837 63,949 21,422 298,832 413,642 508,154 625,905 830,564 993,219 1,187,749 1997 42,981 9,693 319,733 192,185 4,917 475,609 572,181 686,280 5,487 7,798 55,825 41,060 29,426 260,280 331,834 404,030 493,606 818,379 976,965 1,162,567 1998 51,190 11,132 340,504 168,726 3,497 478,746 576,383 696,648 11,427 15,202 85,705 80,540 13,369 287,090 405,616 510,250 648,685 904,564 1,087,993 1,316,171 1999 97,146 6,536 471,621 295,383 12,363 738,568 884,809 1,064,210 7,923 4,130 106,846 83,420 17,854 291,297 423,006 518,856 643,915 1,179,985 1,405,229 1,679,519 2000 117,535 7,501 555,410 207,566 14,820 752,718 904,944 1,092,049 9,663 7,264 97,372 91,622 13,124 393,059 503,462 622,180 776,194 1,281,797 1,528,526 1,834,190 2001 103,048 7,068 481,052 226,304 10,163 691,101 830,148 1,000,027 8,726 7,842 110,952 81,620 14,186 275,228 409,603 508,694 631,480 1,120,507 1,341,712 1,602,925 2002 74,293 7,439 425,929 158,213 2,447 556,948 668,896 805,656 12,453 12,523 116,892 106,016 8,512 310,864 464,571 578,303 728,084 1,044,579 1,250,085 1,502,720 2003 33,833 7,319 386,887 121,745 7,494 461,759 558,198 674,392 23,250 10,162 63,984 88,576 9,007 428,504 508,389 633,394 787,111 989,748 1,193,899 1,429,466 2004 28,027 9,079 355,354 145,844 4,990 452,638 544,934 656,586 14,279 8,937 82,811 97,615 11,294 415,407 517,634 639,670 796,952 988,773 1,186,473 1,427,770 2005 44,114 8,681 449,956 139,725 5,225 539,607 648,737 779,600 14,371 7,420 60,131 87,911 8,895 500,517 556,072 692,118 868,400 1,118,636 1,343,002 1,614,373 2006 63,911 8,347 382,718 145,477 4,886 506,346 606,492 726,950 13,695 4,564 23,668 84,403 9,234 429,264 461,599 573,767 719,911 990,033 1,181,956 1,424,258 2007 64,453 10,777 441,310 229,405 6,907 623,860 754,515 916,132 15,093 5,219 31,684 92,116 7,180 576,190 594,238 737,534 925,868 1,243,868 1,495,030 1,801,312 2008 27,617 8,693 346,532 194,177 6,063 483,599 584,502 708,807 6,984 8,081 39,961 70,911 7,308 482,933 504,208 625,109 778,019 1,008,890 1,211,531 1,455,675 2009 44,247 12,277 380,958 240,174 7,024 567,510 687,524 834,176 5,762 16,727 36,928 104,651 10,671 625,665 655,857 811,298 1,011,667 1,248,331 1,500,146 1,808,902 2010 34,215 13,739 531,206 240,168 13,226 685,947 834,798 1,010,932 16,222 8,498 40,341 174,725 13,691 782,735 842,116 1,056,420 1,332,890 1,559,920 1,894,455 2,300,758 2011 41,150 7,738 465,967 117,591 18,692 538,887 653,996 792,509 12,759 4,839 35,296 138,213 32,044 609,585 683,000 853,981 1,072,669 1,248,567 1,512,113 1,827,093 2012 39,726 8,858 328,120 133,852 8,002 431,559 519,954 629,544 13,174 13,396 40,378 134,957 10,192 554,964 628,058 784,166 983,553 1,081,914 1,306,123 1,582,320 2013 43,131 10,606 337,617 133,324 15,904 447,154 543,146 660,851 16,433 8,171 33,974 91,799 5,603 367,733 429,323 534,697 671,911 897,167 1,080,730 1,301,113 2014 41,660 10,134 426,478 125,619 17,132 511,417 623,894 760,952 18,693 7,458 36,166 149,957 7,216 463,419 555,639 698,287 889,074 1,093,166 1,326,506 1,605,075 2015 44,561 12,134 469,289 107,259 7,112 529,171 642,139 779,839 7,945 10,675 34,279 195,249 13,379 488,950 603,401 768,998 994,838 1,162,146 1,416,645 1,725,448 2016 30,615 7,001 474,970 99,041 7,302 510,246 620,346 757,854 8,061 14,404 46,278 154,417 8,874 441,946 546,347 691,133 886,830 1,084,091 1,315,368 1,603,432

10yr Av. 41,138 10,196 420,245 162,061 10,736 532,935 646,481 785,160 12,113 9,747 37,529 130,699 11,616 539,412 604,219 756,162 954,732 1,162,806 1,405,865 1,701,113

108 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.3.4.5. Estimated number of 1SW spawners by NEAC country or region and year.

Northern NEAC Southern NEAC NEAC Area Year Finland Iceland Norway Russia Sweden Total France Iceland Ireland UK(EW) UK(NI) UK(Scot) Total Total N&E 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% S&W 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 1971 12,968 4,738 NA 8,096 48,201 31,001 394,447 34,910 36,578 291,070 668,807 844,316 1,088,718 1972 50,886 4,314 72,089 6,441 95,408 25,455 416,355 38,515 31,665 307,607 734,413 931,582 1,196,492 1973 23,402 5,180 77,989 8,008 58,890 27,094 456,086 46,000 27,879 402,127 821,582 1,030,188 1,320,703 1974 32,561 5,154 93,573 11,503 27,496 19,411 521,512 58,020 30,478 385,072 817,401 1,052,663 1,374,600 1975 39,121 6,273 112,171 12,428 54,601 30,130 574,254 59,869 24,923 335,876 839,469 1,091,607 1,451,520 1976 35,212 6,319 109,501 7,043 50,661 23,821 393,754 40,032 17,316 254,893 611,729 789,685 1,031,155 1977 20,056 8,782 74,469 3,180 38,187 24,401 343,087 45,396 17,133 333,154 648,293 810,000 1,022,859 1978 19,021 8,929 58,922 3,774 39,721 31,857 298,682 52,776 22,240 345,077 651,977 800,654 989,320 1979 17,045 8,523 74,812 3,869 45,185 29,352 271,909 51,791 15,610 360,971 646,425 786,227 967,924 1980 13,494 1,291 73,476 5,007 94,225 13,281 208,461 48,828 19,755 252,564 534,156 647,961 785,916 1981 12,088 6,649 53,788 9,093 75,036 17,277 70,801 51,377 15,448 331,426 491,527 571,740 662,363 1982 7,207 3,059 49,701 8,103 46,477 17,696 169,037 43,659 22,386 334,159 543,010 643,532 759,057 1983 17,597 4,512 160,785 65,028 10,691 204,553 260,010 322,986 49,772 22,344 361,077 64,635 31,456 391,010 777,839 932,525 1,122,784 1,027,012 1,193,964 1,393,795 1984 19,312 1,639 163,454 80,772 15,027 223,575 281,773 351,312 81,723 13,758 196,291 56,098 12,417 416,591 668,488 791,805 943,817 934,204 1,076,441 1,242,842 1985 25,334 11,374 171,611 92,794 18,087 261,795 322,531 390,741 30,389 22,242 232,686 55,700 16,017 372,409 606,087 738,551 901,272 915,359 1,062,571 1,240,617 1986 20,184 14,065 152,585 102,805 18,973 256,501 310,881 371,099 45,088 36,614 322,507 65,206 18,034 436,569 784,916 947,000 1,143,857 1,086,921 1,258,100 1,464,961 1987 24,504 8,325 127,351 95,708 14,960 226,988 273,079 323,897 79,938 22,829 203,519 68,867 15,207 366,013 649,888 780,767 956,403 915,422 1,056,640 1,235,375 1988 14,330 11,984 117,139 86,700 12,518 204,589 245,529 290,244 27,368 40,856 342,523 95,291 41,197 548,353 958,927 1,114,962 1,299,820 1,198,015 1,361,165 1,551,072 1989 24,731 6,473 185,319 96,411 3,667 268,567 317,682 379,399 15,085 22,747 222,179 64,770 12,265 613,692 829,270 964,257 1,128,350 1,137,104 1,284,514 1,456,574 1990 25,032 4,832 165,995 97,220 9,871 260,299 304,873 358,165 25,073 21,094 159,861 46,591 35,083 423,159 634,511 723,763 829,170 927,610 1,030,731 1,146,998 1991 24,429 7,017 144,096 83,179 12,369 232,446 273,357 320,872 18,124 23,266 117,388 46,961 18,303 354,411 512,809 589,723 678,344 776,102 863,862 963,258 1992 34,336 13,194 121,708 115,912 13,801 263,193 302,435 346,083 32,901 26,583 159,713 49,342 45,815 449,296 681,445 779,830 894,104 976,239 1,083,572 1,204,103 1993 23,321 10,868 120,211 113,826 13,588 247,593 284,640 324,966 47,953 25,846 141,648 71,836 71,977 511,227 781,588 891,181 1,031,817 1,058,170 1,176,118 1,322,029 1994 12,971 3,502 166,877 115,722 10,670 262,319 311,528 370,712 37,183 21,275 125,862 80,346 25,143 532,960 727,431 840,866 980,782 1,030,460 1,155,922 1,300,582 1995 12,960 9,104 107,906 121,320 17,618 236,180 271,365 310,113 11,570 26,429 179,602 64,840 25,728 514,908 719,783 833,596 971,621 986,335 1,106,128 1,250,485 1996 22,460 4,892 80,679 138,515 10,476 227,764 259,535 292,395 14,465 22,834 183,483 49,063 34,585 412,623 628,132 727,680 844,242 881,218 987,292 1,107,758 1997 20,398 6,704 105,308 158,454 4,709 260,656 297,389 337,606 7,471 16,648 228,114 45,685 38,461 357,758 611,571 703,408 811,834 900,661 1,002,349 1,117,308 1998 25,504 11,347 138,127 163,079 3,885 299,818 344,265 393,946 14,471 22,778 219,841 51,830 155,930 416,220 797,120 894,447 1,010,401 1,131,199 1,239,438 1,366,024 1999 33,501 5,975 128,099 162,416 6,069 295,947 338,839 384,999 4,819 18,843 232,104 42,019 20,095 275,824 523,328 601,601 696,390 849,869 941,295 1,046,803 2000 36,410 6,302 212,978 141,392 11,151 353,103 411,740 479,200 12,543 16,676 350,316 63,877 33,149 425,505 798,990 913,705 1,050,952 1,195,151 1,328,825 1,476,998 2001 26,322 5,850 185,914 198,792 6,821 365,205 427,060 498,235 10,869 15,395 256,156 57,794 32,216 455,003 739,104 837,616 950,784 1,146,410 1,267,875 1,399,846 2002 18,303 10,350 111,859 210,838 6,619 305,354 360,036 425,586 24,519 19,142 216,054 54,731 61,608 346,821 650,989 735,494 830,840 993,941 1,097,939 1,209,342 2003 18,006 5,450 157,231 199,126 3,605 323,428 386,108 457,914 16,114 22,876 247,337 45,883 31,065 331,470 624,283 708,364 805,870 989,532 1,095,918 1,218,047 2004 7,626 15,049 93,693 145,831 3,051 226,892 267,269 313,847 19,331 22,984 156,439 81,576 36,639 461,447 701,667 793,968 901,881 961,309 1,063,287 1,178,445 2005 16,833 13,637 140,159 133,070 2,965 262,170 308,775 360,787 12,689 33,822 171,759 66,889 49,022 475,868 729,543 823,711 931,813 1,027,354 1,133,933 1,251,480 2006 29,451 14,127 111,279 162,869 3,291 275,057 323,080 379,735 17,655 24,033 126,559 67,730 37,543 408,868 613,878 696,866 798,144 922,984 1,021,866 1,136,040 2007 8,574 10,695 62,088 123,222 1,014 174,026 207,200 248,053 13,827 27,940 149,904 65,643 65,158 427,817 674,848 773,115 910,818 875,259 983,442 1,124,259 2008 9,252 10,084 87,813 93,342 1,867 173,613 203,769 237,568 13,875 33,846 229,627 64,665 40,376 344,608 636,540 749,858 956,757 836,119 955,265 1,163,686 2009 16,493 16,940 71,672 101,051 1,963 179,591 210,139 245,412 3,931 37,602 190,656 40,569 24,988 267,034 493,403 578,966 737,239 697,696 791,180 950,415 2010 13,289 13,451 116,113 92,399 3,329 206,037 240,820 279,512 13,052 39,235 249,734 81,048 26,459 467,001 771,021 901,717 1,124,955 1,006,478 1,144,055 1,369,003 2011 14,949 11,467 80,088 102,186 2,164 183,017 212,896 246,100 9,010 27,618 215,583 52,304 19,539 260,225 507,995 600,264 786,034 716,422 815,264 1,000,900 2012 25,973 5,826 89,857 109,405 4,064 204,778 237,507 273,928 9,847 15,636 220,343 31,833 49,035 326,959 572,797 683,752 887,299 804,942 922,528 1,128,220 2013 14,955 14,371 90,922 99,942 2,246 191,783 224,823 262,103 13,895 46,701 187,868 44,153 55,908 255,249 531,382 638,177 809,884 749,879 864,334 1,037,481 2014 21,301 6,754 137,867 90,324 6,177 224,312 265,396 313,770 12,192 11,663 115,076 26,371 25,375 141,299 293,515 348,812 440,838 544,445 617,998 717,969 2015 13,272 19,861 109,149 89,529 2,741 202,935 237,026 276,371 11,428 33,329 165,334 32,266 27,300 236,340 446,489 526,868 663,203 676,078 765,321 906,818 2016 10,326 8,493 82,598 76,712 1,847 155,038 185,644 232,512 10,222 19,619 162,591 35,065 52,475 237,808 458,348 540,687 685,117 638,149 731,659 880,186 2017 6,226 9,316 110,086 39,577 1,765 140,865 171,339 207,559 15,488 19,651 195,251 25,916 30,451 199,748 420,190 505,057 674,031 584,786 678,218 848,650

10yr Av. 14,604 11,656 97,616 89,447 2,816 186,197 218,936 257,484 11,294 28,490 193,206 43,419 35,191 273,627 513,168 607,416 776,536 725,500 828,582 1,000,333

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 109

Table 3.3.4.6. Estimated number of MSW spawners by NEAC country or region and year.

Northern NEAC Southern NEAC NEAC Area Year Finland Iceland Norway Russia Sweden Total France Iceland Ireland UK(EW) UK(NI) UK(Scot) Total Total N&E 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% N&E 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 5.0% 50.0% 95.0% 1971 10,697 2,906 268 6,789 7,261 83,030 52,136 10,944 148,558 261,850 314,762 377,956 1972 11,237 4,537 58,872 213 13,556 11,218 88,240 93,119 9,576 184,908 341,069 409,381 491,111 1973 18,208 4,245 66,044 951 8,309 10,179 95,984 72,321 8,386 156,552 293,803 359,949 437,493 1974 30,815 4,023 98,607 601 3,847 8,726 107,571 52,680 9,154 109,745 239,633 298,401 373,410 1975 39,941 4,451 86,962 169 7,696 9,244 120,445 72,502 7,520 173,024 323,341 399,326 494,442 1976 30,995 3,660 86,337 507 5,640 7,982 83,704 37,907 5,230 106,811 203,978 252,767 315,284 1977 21,689 5,099 71,540 220 4,316 7,849 72,848 47,839 5,133 163,461 256,878 307,814 369,481 1978 11,086 6,522 50,613 266 4,409 10,252 63,752 40,784 6,718 243,054 315,514 375,059 447,761 1979 13,282 4,320 44,207 705 5,101 6,460 57,098 20,563 4,694 191,257 241,404 289,673 347,871 1980 13,089 6,066 47,775 1,361 10,618 9,101 62,296 67,011 5,979 252,525 351,971 415,367 489,615 1981 15,619 2,107 66,157 302 7,523 6,120 46,292 94,247 4,672 224,622 331,892 390,223 462,233 1982 20,941 2,411 40,619 1,475 4,702 4,301 32,688 36,753 6,759 131,125 186,823 219,472 258,327 1983 22,682 1,843 101,187 49,140 958 143,012 177,894 218,760 5,067 7,154 63,134 41,718 9,495 132,799 224,245 263,693 307,627 388,977 442,649 502,275 1984 19,137 2,390 103,900 62,236 1,343 154,914 190,341 230,503 8,210 6,081 43,150 33,683 3,740 154,299 212,255 253,023 302,535 388,820 444,816 506,890 1985 18,584 1,532 95,769 51,328 498 137,596 169,546 205,292 6,158 4,391 53,438 49,126 4,840 150,471 232,518 272,782 321,250 391,728 442,608 502,716 1986 15,248 4,172 114,766 52,374 253 150,256 189,122 232,377 6,341 3,662 51,146 67,681 5,420 179,145 270,077 318,900 376,746 446,593 508,563 579,338 1987 19,960 4,336 89,700 53,119 1,160 138,335 170,803 207,736 3,342 3,291 79,709 54,962 2,999 117,405 225,722 265,884 312,784 383,829 437,489 497,915 1988 14,176 2,806 72,830 44,694 1,225 111,894 137,469 165,673 9,167 3,699 53,004 71,544 10,015 111,539 222,273 264,162 315,886 352,510 402,749 459,297 1989 11,340 2,357 77,836 50,874 4,307 126,503 147,928 171,986 4,243 3,316 41,141 58,344 4,982 119,004 194,896 235,113 282,670 336,978 383,820 435,866 1990 12,337 2,509 91,336 48,023 2,685 133,895 158,467 186,736 4,309 3,324 14,920 70,947 7,015 149,143 211,651 253,511 307,461 362,665 412,944 472,592 1991 16,785 1,715 76,250 60,486 3,585 137,089 160,569 186,304 3,913 3,291 41,151 31,676 3,315 128,340 184,359 214,668 253,644 335,856 375,923 422,252 1992 16,451 2,586 84,634 58,379 4,959 143,958 168,645 195,520 5,021 3,692 20,873 24,436 8,922 92,809 134,761 158,052 186,020 291,589 327,847 365,587 1993 17,022 2,905 78,450 55,847 5,644 138,113 161,331 186,702 2,317 1,820 24,226 27,784 27,645 109,758 166,680 198,692 237,466 320,301 360,758 406,660 1994 15,977 2,451 76,648 65,229 4,249 142,451 165,983 191,642 5,336 2,936 40,166 39,510 6,631 146,833 207,930 244,341 290,019 367,124 410,974 463,243 1995 10,594 1,580 83,620 64,500 2,414 139,605 164,014 191,373 2,540 3,023 37,890 40,777 5,423 168,651 223,599 261,826 309,586 379,875 426,867 479,584 1996 10,654 2,070 83,000 63,370 4,021 139,814 164,188 191,048 4,556 1,935 19,613 42,609 6,749 149,854 193,107 229,165 276,084 348,601 394,327 447,117 1997 12,982 1,155 57,724 52,744 2,856 109,973 128,775 149,937 2,335 2,180 38,905 27,334 8,446 110,242 162,640 195,205 236,784 285,674 324,932 370,075 1998 12,332 1,695 69,590 41,848 1,598 108,797 128,341 150,109 1,983 1,356 12,530 17,795 13,619 95,101 123,144 145,033 172,869 243,803 273,954 308,846 1999 14,830 2,259 72,255 54,651 1,148 123,463 145,876 171,159 4,240 2,815 33,705 38,420 5,390 115,324 168,747 209,352 266,612 307,407 356,294 417,024 2000 28,123 1,365 102,888 58,881 4,035 167,199 196,642 228,996 2,954 806 44,196 40,962 7,198 110,949 179,778 211,936 255,689 364,992 409,830 463,288 2001 30,691 1,657 122,917 89,470 4,836 214,209 251,691 291,001 3,456 1,387 36,858 44,176 4,277 162,769 217,674 259,958 315,720 454,622 512,597 579,924 2002 26,891 1,643 107,183 74,520 3,319 182,776 215,620 251,571 3,206 1,599 47,465 40,181 4,489 111,992 179,967 215,338 261,101 382,447 431,785 489,532 2003 19,470 2,026 95,664 63,375 798 155,794 183,025 214,037 4,571 2,315 53,937 54,107 2,130 132,912 215,027 257,107 314,703 389,577 441,677 506,245 2004 8,797 1,915 87,315 48,050 2,436 125,949 149,952 177,798 8,669 1,951 24,642 45,553 3,028 187,762 233,299 277,363 335,408 377,653 428,884 491,249 2005 7,364 2,412 79,504 36,444 1,621 107,875 128,091 150,465 5,355 1,822 37,774 50,540 4,047 190,318 252,165 295,710 352,658 376,388 424,460 484,045 2006 11,504 2,764 100,709 46,648 1,722 139,090 164,275 193,437 5,376 1,516 25,111 46,354 3,810 238,697 278,508 328,757 391,806 436,771 494,689 563,012 2007 16,667 3,094 83,768 39,908 1,605 123,680 145,836 170,505 5,091 898 11,732 44,667 4,238 202,356 232,934 274,410 327,621 373,424 421,585 480,228 2008 16,793 3,449 125,926 47,331 2,652 166,475 197,171 234,201 5,659 1,298 15,988 48,528 3,428 279,741 308,694 360,896 429,154 497,716 560,019 635,144 2009 7,203 3,224 99,861 70,190 2,338 156,408 184,708 218,072 2,589 1,746 20,099 37,489 3,422 236,335 264,187 307,836 363,874 439,840 493,634 557,242 2010 11,554 4,408 122,613 60,950 2,696 173,610 203,229 238,038 2,153 3,392 18,921 55,676 5,624 303,157 340,417 395,575 466,055 535,927 601,031 677,058 2011 8,920 5,263 179,018 72,361 3,772 229,027 271,050 318,478 6,062 1,874 20,077 90,870 6,662 381,620 439,467 518,551 622,699 698,474 790,834 903,641 2012 10,762 3,010 157,125 63,937 7,160 207,553 244,036 284,907 4,771 1,312 17,954 73,734 17,223 302,730 367,843 430,281 513,018 602,323 675,922 765,604 2013 10,374 3,537 111,561 33,541 2,970 138,517 163,130 190,826 4,914 3,504 20,494 71,275 5,580 274,597 332,172 390,267 467,179 490,724 555,108 634,973 2014 11,205 4,296 124,194 36,568 5,899 154,306 183,373 217,560 6,104 2,368 16,916 48,285 3,037 178,911 223,468 262,011 313,622 396,918 447,146 506,810 2015 10,898 4,012 147,465 33,853 6,814 170,520 204,569 244,791 6,938 2,039 17,709 79,238 3,977 229,947 295,331 348,411 426,704 488,607 555,527 641,120 2016 11,630 4,637 160,277 31,695 3,059 177,464 212,259 251,657 2,929 3,278 17,232 103,838 7,165 248,207 327,961 392,892 492,541 530,520 607,728 711,202 2017 8,881 2,756 163,144 25,120 3,123 168,081 203,745 245,746 2,980 3,273 23,389 83,433 4,766 227,297 298,729 353,749 434,916 490,171 560,032 649,358

10yr Av. 10,822 3,859 139,118 47,555 4,048 174,196 206,727 244,428 4,510 2,408 18,878 69,237 6,088 266,254 319,827 376,047 452,976 517,122 584,698 668,215

110 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.3.5.1 Time-series of jurisdictions in northern NEAC area with established CLs and trends in the number of stocks meeting CLs.

Teno River (Finland/Norway) Norway Russia Sweden

Year No. No. No. % No. No. No. % No. No. No. % No. No. No. % CLs assessed met met CLs assessed met met CLs assessed met met CLs assessed met met

1999 85 8 7 88

2000 85 8 7 88

2001 85 8 7 88

2002 85 8 7 88

2003 85 8 7 88

2004 85 8 7 88

2005 0 167* 70 42 85 8 7 88

2006 0 165* 73 44 85 8 7 88

2007 9 5 0 0 80 167* 76 46 85 8 7 88

2008 9 5 0 0 80 170* 87 51 85 8 7 88

2009 9 5 0 0 439 176 68 39 85 8 7 88

2010 9 5 0 0 439 179 114 64 85 8 7 88

2011 9 5 0 0 439 177 128 72 85 8 7 88

2012 9 5 0 0 439 187 139 74 85 8 7 88

2013 24 7 2 29 439 185 111 60 85 8 7 88

2014 24 10 4 40 439 167 116 69 85 8 7 88

2015 24 10 2 20 439 179 132 74 85 8 7 88 2016 24 11 4 36 439 174 142 82 85 8 7 88 23 20 8 40

2017 24 14 4 29 439 NA NA NA 85 8 7 88 24 22 12 55

* CL attainment retrospectively assessed, NA = data pending.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 111

Table 3.3.5.2. Time-series of jurisdictions in southern NEAC area with established CLs and trends in the number of stocks meeting CLs.

France Ireland UK (England & Wales) UK (Northern Ireland) UK (Scotland) No. No. No. % No. No. No. % No. No. No. % No. No. No. % No. No. No. % Year CLs assessed met met CLs assessed met met CLs assessed met met CLs assessed met met CLs assessed met met 1993 61 61 33 54 1994 63 63 41 65 1995 63 63 26 41 1996 63 63 31 49 1997 64 64 21 33 1998 64 64 30 47 1999 64 64 19 30 2000 64 64 27 42 2001 64 58 21 36 2002 64 64 28 44 10 10 4 40 2003 64 64 20 31 10 10 4 40 2004 64 64 42 66 10 10 3 30 2005 64 64 32 50 10 10 4 40 2006 64 64 38 59 10 10 3 30 2007 141 141 45 32 64 64 33 52 10 6 2 33 2008 141 141 54 38 64 64 43 67 10 5 3 60 2009 141 141 56 40 64 64 23 36 10 6 2 33 2010 141 141 56 40 64 64 38 59 10 7 2 29 2011 28 28 15 54 141 141 58 41 64 64 41 64 11 9 3 33 168 168 116 69 2012 28 28 16 57 141 141 58 41 64 64 36 56 11 8 4 50 171 171 81 47 2013 30 27 20 74 143 143 57 40 64 64 21 33 13 8 5 63 171 171 53 31 2014 33 30 22 73 143 143 62 43 64 64 14 22 15 9 4 44 171 171 31 18 2015 33 27 16 59 143 143 55 38 64 64 23 36 16 10 5 50 171 171 52 30 2016 35 35 21 60 143 143 48 34 64 64 22 34 16 11 7 64 171 171 47 27 2017 35 35 21 60 143 143 44 31 64 64 32 50 16 11 6 55 NA NA NA NA NA = data pending

112 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.3.6.1. Estimated survival of wild smolts (%) to return to homewaters (prior to coastal fisheries) for various monitored rivers in the NE Atlantic area.

Smolt Iceland1 Norway2 Ireland UK (Scotland)2 UK (NI)7 UK (E & W) France8 migration Ellidaar R.Vesturdalsa4 R. Halselva R. Imsa R. Corrib B'shoole North Esk R. Bush R. Dee R. Tamar R. Frome Nivelle5 Scorff Oir 11 All All All year 1SW 1SW 2SW 1SW 2SW 1SW 2SW 1SW 2SW 1SW 1SW MSW 1SW3 2SW10 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW ages ages ages 1975 20,80 1980 17,90 1,06 5,3 0,59 1981 17,30 4,00 9,20 3,76 12,3 8,24 3,79 0,92 1982 5,30 1,20 20,90 3,33 12,2 11,22 4,95 1983 13,50 1,30 10,00 1,84 8,6 1,69 1984 12,10 1,80 26,20 1,98 19,8 6,00 4,00 1,45 1985 9,40 10,20 2,10 18,90 1,75 19,3 13,63 5,35 1,92 16,84 1986 3,80 4,20 20,0 31,30 1,94 2,35 31,32 1987 2,00 0,30 17,30 5,60 16,60 0,71 26,9 10,43 3,89 35,10 0,44 2,52 42,70

1988 12,70 5,80 0,70 13,30 1,10 14,60 0,69 22,9 36,20 0,85 2,99 46,73

1989 8,10 2,10 1,00 8,70 2,20 6,70 0,71 7,1 6,62 4,15 25,00 1,44 2,08 9,98

1990 5,40 3,90 1,60 3,00 1,30 5,00 0,63 16,0 5,98 3,13 34,70 1,76 4,36 6,80

1991 8,80 2,10 0,30 8,70 1,20 7,30 1,26 21,7 7,61 3,11 27,80 2,22 7,45 24,62 1992 9,60 2,10 0,40 6,70 0,90 7,30 15,9 10,87 6,46 29,00 1,99 7,98 17,06 1993 9,80 2,10 0,00 15,60 10,80 0,07 23,9 14,45 6,09 1,99 6,30 2,50 4,83 19,38 1994 9,00 0,60 0,40 9,80 1,35 26,9 10,93 3,58 27,10 0,75 1,30 1,20 1,31 24,82 1995 9,40 1,45 0,90 0,00 1,80 1,50 8,40 0,07 14,6 8,44 3,82 2,50 2,70 0,40 2,09 10,45 33,92 1996 4,60 2,51 0,37 2,80 0,60 3,50 0,90 6,50 1,17 18,3 5,86 2,70 31,00 2,14 4,80 2,10 2,71 21,31 5,41 1997 5,30 1,00 1,51 0,80 0,00 1,70 0,30 12,70 0,75 15,6 7,19 4,19 19,80 0,72 6,20 3,40 2,35 5,53 39,41 1998 5,30 1,53 1,04 1,50 0,60 7,20 1,00 5,50 1,06 12,4 2,55 1,35 13,40 0,52 2,30 3,70 2,38 4,96 21,66 1999 7,70 1,30 1,22 1,30 0,00 4,20 2,20 6,40 0,91 14,9 6,78 3,78 16,50 0,75 5,00 12,40 4,11 11,54 93,87 2000 6,30 1,14 0,68 0,40 1,10 12,50 1,70 9,40 22,5 6,04 2,80 10,10 0,15 2,00 0,90 0,40 9,57 9,80

2001 5,10 3,40 1,32 2,50 2,50 3,60 2,23 7,20 1,08 16,6 4,70 2,86 12,40 0,27 4,30 0,00 0,67 4,81 23,36 2002 4,40 1,11 2,31 0,80 0,60 5,50 0,90 6,00 0,53 12,3 2,22 1,95 11,30 0,23 2,90 0,70 3,60 1,40 5,60 1,74 1,69 22,62 10,78 2003 9,10 5,47 0,59 4,90 1,60 3,50 0,70 8,30 2,10 19,4 6,80 0,35 2,60 0,40 6,10 1,80 4,83 0,94 1,44 11,05 28,17 2004 7,70 5,68 0,60 3,50 1,20 5,90 1,40 6,30 0,80 12,8 6,80 0,44 4,50 1,00 6,00 1,50 5,29 2,90 0,98 6,26 14,27 2005 6,40 2,47 0,91 3,00 1,00 3,70 1,80 8,1 6,66 2,78 5,90 0,61 5,10 0,50 6,40 1,20 3,29 8,30 24,00 2006 7,10 1,75 0,95 0,80 0,80 0,80 5,80 3,60 0,70 12,9 3,28 3,40 14,00 0,82 4,30 1,50 3,50 2,40 5,11 2,22 2,42 7,03 14,98 2007 19,25 0,89 0,30 0,30 0,00 0,80 0,60 1,30 1,60 8,4 4,99 3,98 8,30 0,80 1,30 0,70 3,50 3,40 5,69 1,30 3,71 4,94 12,58 2008 14,90 2,59 1,07 0,20 0,20 1,10 2,30 1,70 1,00 8,2 6,40 5,30 3,97 0,69 2,50 1,30 1,70 0,90 3,13 1,63 2,15 2,98 7,43 2009 14,20 1,33 1,57 1,10 0,60 2,40 3,10 6,00 1,00 8,9 9,00 8,65 5,92 0,95 4,80 1,10 8,20 1,90 7,68 2,58 1,60 6,49 16,16 2010 8,60 1,97 1,11 0,40 0,40 1,70 1,10 2,90 1,20 7,5 3,96 1,34 1,90 1,00 3,40 5,00 8,64 2,40 2,81 4,39 18,10 2011 6,10 1,31 0,57 0,00 3,90 2,90 2,36 0,00 10,8 2,67 0,53 0,00 0,30 1,10 1,90 1,50 1,80 0,73 4,94 14,75 2012 10,90 2,06 3,50 1,70 1,49 0,00 9,4 11,70 1,79 4,80 2,50 3,20 2,10 1,65 8,46 22,98 2013 4,30 0,33 2,20 2,40 2,23 0,30 4,5 4,60 0,91 1,90 1,40 4,70 1,50 2,10 1,15 9,02 21,09 2014 7,20 1,62 3,00 0,80 2,85 0,50 8,00 2,90 0,33 0,50 2,00 2,70 5,80 9,58 2015 10,90 1,40 1,40 5,50 0,60 7,80 6,70 0,51 0,50 1,80 4,20 2,30 5,90 3,00 9,44 13,72 2016 7,90 3,90 6,90 7,50 3,80 0,30 3,50 4,40 Mean 8,91 2,17 0,99 1,84 0,66 6,09 1,93 8,42 1,08 14,06 7,50 4,00 15,47 1,07 3,14 1,76 4,13 2,37 4,60 2,11 3,14 8,57 22,65 (5-year) 7,88 1,66 0,45 2,80 1,84 2,89 0,28 8,11 5,71 0,81 1,80 1,00 2,60 2,97 2,82 2,34 7,53 (10-year) 10,35 1,69 0,84 0,47 0,40 2,08 2,21 2,99 0,69 8,65 5,92 5,33 6,47 0,87 2,44 1,07 3,51 2,81 4,43 2,18 2,03 6,35 15,14

1 Microtags. 2 Carlin tags, not corrected for tagging mortality. 3 Microtags, corrected for tagging mortality. 4 Assumes 50% exploitation in rod fishery. 5 From 0+ stage in autumn. 6 Incomplete returns. 7 Assumes 30% exploitation in trap fishery. 8 France data based on hierarchical Bayesian estimates 9 Minimum count. High flows hindered sampling effort, 10 Bush 2SW data based on returns to freshwater 11 High returns rates in the Oir river have to be considered with caution as part of spawners may originated from other rivers of the Bay of Mont Saint Michel affecting the ratio spawners/smolts used to calculate the return rates

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 113

Table 3.3.6.2. Estimated survival of hatchery smolts (%) to adult return to homewaters, (prior to

coastal fisheries) for monitored rivers and experimental facilities in the NE Atlantic area.

Iceland1 Norway2 Sweden2 Smolt year R. Ranga R. Halselva R. Imsa3 R. Drammen R. Lagan 1SW 2SW 1SW 2SW 1SW 2SW 1SW 2SW 1SW 2SW 1980 1981 10,10 1,30 1982 4,20 0,60 1983 1,60 0,10 1984 3,80 0,40 3,50 3,00 11,80 1,10 1985 5,80 1,30 3,40 1,90 11,80 0,90 1986 4,70 0,80 6,10 2,20 7,90 2,50 1987 1,50 0,40 9,80 1,00 1,70 0,70 8,40 2,40 1988 1,20 0,10 9,50 0,70 0,50 0,30 4,30 0,60 1989 1,58 0,08 1,90 0,50 3,00 0,90 1,90 1,30 5,00 1,30 1990 0,84 0,19 2,10 0,30 2,80 1,50 0,30 0,40 5,20 3,10 1991 0,02 0,04 0,60 0,00 3,20 0,70 0,10 0,10 3,60 1,10 1992 0,37 0,05 0,50 0,00 3,80 0,70 0,40 0,60 1,50 0,40 1993 0,66 0,05 6,50 0,50 3,00 1,00 2,60 0,90 1994 1,22 0,16 6,20 0,60 1,20 0,90 4,00 1,20 1995 1,09 0,10 0,40 0,00 0,70 0,30 3,90 0,60 1996 0,17 0,03 1,20 0,20 2,10 0,20 0,30 0,20 3,50 0,50 1997 0,32 0,06 0,60 0,00 1,00 0,00 0,50 0,20 0,60 0,50 1998 0,46 0,02 0,50 0,50 2,40 0,10 1,90 0,70 1,60 0,90 1999 0,36 0,04 2,30 0,20 12,00 1,10 1,90 1,60 2,10 2000 0,91 0,06 1,00 0,70 8,40 0,10 1,10 0,60 2001 0,37 0,10 1,90 0,60 3,30 0,30 2,50 1,10 2002 0,35 1,40 0,00 4,50 0,80 1,20 0,80 2003 0,20 0,50 0,30 2,60 0,70 0,30 0,60 2004 0,60 0,20 0,10 3,60 0,70 0,40 0,40 2005 1,04 1,20 0,20 2,80 1,20 0,30 0,70 2006 1,00 0,20 0,10 1,00 1,80 0,10 0,60 2007 1,80 0,30 0,00 0,60 0,70 0,20 0,10 2008 2,40 0,10 0,00 1,80 2,20 0,10 0,30 2009 1,30 3,30 2010 0,49 1,00 0,20 2,60 1,90 2011 0,93 1,70 0,80 2012 0,90 1,90 0,20 2013 0,29 3,00 0,70 2014 1,10 1,60 0,30 2015 0,30 1,60 0,80 2016 0,30 2,00 Mean 0,74 0,08 1,01 0,22 3,81 0,83 1,34 0,82 4,86 1,20 (5-year) 0,70 1,96 0,56 (10-year) 1,02 0,40 0,08 1,71 1,27 0,13 0,33 1 Microtagged. 2 Carlin-tagged, not corrected for tagging mortality. 3 since 1999 only 1 year old smolts included

114 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.3.6.2 (continued). Estimated survival of hatchery smolts (%) to adult return to homewaters, (prior to coastal fisheries) for monitored rivers and experimental facilities in the NE Atlantic area.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 115

Table 3.4.2.1. Probabilities that the forecast PFA for 1SW maturing and 1SW non-maturing fish will be greater than the age specific Spawner Escapement Reserves (SERs) for the PFA years 2017 to 2021 for the Northern and Southern NEAC stock complexes.

Southern NEAC Northern NEAC 1SW Maturing 1SW Non-maturing 1SW Maturing 1SW Non-maturing

Spawner Escapement 830 559 550 080 173 601 206 201 Reserve (SER) PFA Year Probability of PFA meeting or Exceeding SER 2017 0.205 0.628 0.993 1.000 2018 0.111 0.368 0.939 0.992 2019 0.171 0.419 0.891 0.976 2020 0.299 0.547 0.874 0.964

2021 0.288 0.506 0.845 0.946

Table 3.4.3.1. Probabilities that the forecast PFA for 1SW maturing and 1SW non-maturing fish will be greater than the age specific Spawner Escapement Reserves (SERs) for the PFA years 2017 to 2021 for the Southern NEAC countries.

Maturing France Iceland-SW Ireland UK UK (N. Ireland) UK (Scotland) (England & Wales)

Spawner Escapement 22 432 21 472 268 586 68 569 24 264 425 236 Reserve (SER)

PFA Year Probability of PFA meeting or Exceeding SER 2017 0.252 0.730 0.278 0.248 0.627 0.163 2018 0.296 0.904 0.190 0.217 0.556 0.108 2019 0.195 0.677 0.254 0.377 0.681 0.116 2020 0.246 0.726 0.286 0.431 0.787 0.187

2021 0.288 0.666 0.338 0.377 0.701 0.198

Non-Maturing France Iceland-SW Ireland UK UK (N. Ireland) UK (Scotland) (England & Wales)

Spawner Escapement 9411 2184 78 021 51 234 5563 403 668 Reserve (SER)

PFA Year Probability of PFA meeting or Exceeding SER 2017 0.377 0.975 0.192 0.924 0.571 0.426 2018 0.415 0.977 0.163 0.833 0.513 0.243 2019 0.284 0.902 0.230 0.889 0.634 0.218 2020 0.339 0.896 0.267 0.884 0.737 0.304

2021 0.377 0.860 0.317 0.824 0.657 0.305

116 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.4.3.2. Probabilities that the forecast PFA for 1SW maturing and 1SW non-maturing fish will be greater than the age-specific Spawner Escapement Reserves (SERs) for the PFA years 2017 to 2021 for Northern NEAC countries.

Maturing Finland Iceland-NE Norway Russia Sweden

Spawner Escapement Reserve (SER) 16 282 6843 69 889 78 034 2553

PFA Year Probability of PFA meeting or Exceeding SER 2017 0.835 0.953 0.993 0.844 0.470 2018 0.791 0.886 0.942 0.657 0.579 2019 0.748 0.887 0.906 0.529 0.590 2020 0.729 0.876 0.899 0.500 0.429 2021 0.700 0.870 0.882 0.440 0.374 Non-Maturing Finland Iceland-NE Norway Russia Sweden Spawner Escapement Reserve (SER) 16 463 3001 122 505 59 669 4562

PFA Year Probability of PFA meeting or Exceeding SER 2017 0.828 0.895 1.000 0.923 0.586 2018 0.794 0.783 0.991 0.738 0.670 2019 0.751 0.794 0.978 0.608 0.665 2020 0.731 0.779 0.971 0.573 0.490

2021 0.703 0.781 0.960 0.509 0.424

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 117

Table 3.5.1.1. Probability of Northern and Southern NEAC - 1SW and MSW stock complexes achieving their SERs independently and simultaneously for different catch options for the Faroes fishery in the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 fishing seasons. Shaded cells denote achievement of SERs with ≥95% probability.

Catch options TAC option NEAC-N- NEAC-N- NEAC-S- NEAC-S- All complexes for 2018/19 (t) 1SW MSW 1SW MSW simultaneous 0 89% 99% 17% 37% 10% 20 89% 97% 17% 33% 9% 40 89% 93% 17% 30% 8% 60 89% 86% 16% 27% 7% 80 89% 76% 16% 24% 5% 100 89% 66% 16% 21% 4% 120 89% 54% 15% 19% 3% 140 88% 44% 15% 17% 2% 160 88% 35% 15% 15% 2% 180 88% 28% 15% 13% 1% 200 88% 22% 14% 12% 1%

Catch options TAC option NEAC-N- NEAC-N- NEAC-S- NEAC-S- All complexes for 2019/20 (t) 1SW MSW 1SW MSW simultaneous 0 87% 98% 30% 42% 16% 20 87% 94% 30% 38% 15% 40 87% 88% 29% 36% 13% 60 87% 80% 29% 33% 11% 80 87% 70% 29% 30% 9% 100 87% 60% 28% 28% 8% 120 87% 51% 28% 26% 6% 140 87% 42% 28% 24% 5% 160 86% 34% 27% 22% 4% 180 86% 28% 27% 20% 3% 200 86% 23% 27% 18% 2%

Catch options TAC option NEAC-N- NEAC-N- NEAC-S- NEAC-S- All complexes for 2020/21 (t) 1SW MSW 1SW MSW simultaneous 0 84% 96% 29% 55% 18% 20 84% 92% 28% 52% 17% 40 84% 86% 28% 49% 15% 60 84% 79% 28% 46% 13% 80 84% 71% 28% 44% 11% 100 84% 62% 27% 41% 10% 120 83% 53% 27% 39% 8% 140 83% 46% 27% 37% 7% 160 83% 38% 26% 35% 5% 180 83% 32% 26% 33% 4% 200 83% 27% 26% 31% 4%

118 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.5.1.2 . Forecast exploitation rates for 1SW and MSW salmon from Northern and Southern NEAC areas in all fisheries (assuming full catch allocations are taken) for different TAC options in the Faroes fishery in the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 fishing seasons.

Catch options TAC option NEAC-N- NEAC-N- NEAC-S- NEAC-S- for 2018/19 (t) 1SW MSW 1SW MSW season: 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20 0.0% 0.8% 0.1% 0.3% 40 0.0% 1.6% 0.1% 0.7% 60 0.1% 2.4% 0.2% 1.0% 80 0.1% 3.2% 0.3% 1.4% 100 0.1% 4.0% 0.3% 1.7% 120 0.1% 4.8% 0.4% 2.0% 140 0.1% 5.6% 0.5% 2.4% 160 0.1% 6.4% 0.5% 2.7% 180 0.1% 7.2% 0.6% 3.0% 200 0.2% 8.0% 0.6% 3.4%

Catch options TAC option NEAC-N- NEAC-N- NEAC-S- NEAC-S- for 2019/20 (t) 1SW MSW 1SW MSW season: 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20 0.0% 0.8% 0.1% 0.3% 40 0.0% 1.7% 0.1% 0.7% 60 0.1% 2.5% 0.2% 1.0% 80 0.1% 3.3% 0.2% 1.3% 100 0.1% 4.2% 0.3% 1.6% 120 0.1% 5.0% 0.3% 2.0% 140 0.1% 5.8% 0.4% 2.3% 160 0.1% 6.7% 0.5% 2.6% 180 0.1% 7.5% 0.5% 2.9% 200 0.2% 8.3% 0.6% 3.3%

Catch options TAC option NEAC-N- NEAC-N- NEAC-S- NEAC-S- for 2020/21 (t) 1SW MSW 1SW MSW season: 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20 0.0% 0.8% 0.1% 0.3% 40 0.0% 1.6% 0.1% 0.6% 60 0.1% 2.4% 0.2% 0.9% 80 0.1% 3.2% 0.2% 1.1% 100 0.1% 4.0% 0.3% 1.4% 120 0.1% 4.8% 0.4% 1.7% 140 0.1% 5.6% 0.4% 2.0% 160 0.1% 6.4% 0.5% 2.3% 180 0.1% 7.2% 0.5% 2.6% 200 0.2% 8.0% 0.6% 2.8%

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 119

Table 3.5.1.3. Probability (%) of National NEAC - 1SW stock complexes achieving their SERs individually and simultaneously for different catch options for the Faroes fishery in the 2018/2019 to 2019/2020 fishing seasons. Shaded cells denote achievement of SERs with ≥95% probability.

Catch TAC N. England All 1SW MUs Russia Finland Norway Sw eden Iceland Scotland Ireland France options for option (t) Ireland & Wales simultaneous 2018/19 0 54% 75% 91% 59% 88% 11% 69% 25% 38% 19% 0.0% season: 20 54% 75% 91% 59% 88% 11% 68% 25% 38% 19% 0.0% 40 54% 75% 91% 59% 88% 11% 68% 25% 38% 19% 0.0% 60 54% 74% 91% 59% 88% 11% 68% 25% 38% 19% 0.0% 80 53% 74% 90% 58% 88% 10% 67% 25% 37% 19% 0.0% 100 53% 74% 90% 58% 87% 10% 67% 24% 37% 19% 0.0% 120 53% 74% 90% 58% 87% 10% 66% 24% 37% 19% 0.0% 140 53% 74% 90% 58% 87% 10% 66% 24% 37% 18% 0.0% 160 53% 74% 90% 58% 87% 10% 66% 24% 37% 18% 0.0% 180 52% 74% 90% 58% 87% 10% 65% 24% 36% 18% 0.0% 200 52% 74% 90% 58% 87% 10% 65% 24% 36% 18% 0.0%

Catch TAC N. England All 1SW MUs Russia Finland Norway Sw eden Iceland Scotland Ireland France options for option (t) Ireland & Wales simultaneous 2019/20 0 51% 73% 90% 43% 90% 19% 79% 28% 43% 25% 0.1% season: 20 51% 73% 90% 43% 90% 18% 79% 28% 43% 25% 0.1% 40 51% 73% 90% 43% 90% 18% 79% 28% 43% 25% 0.1% 60 51% 73% 90% 43% 89% 18% 79% 28% 43% 25% 0.1% 80 50% 72% 90% 43% 89% 18% 78% 28% 42% 25% 0.1% 100 50% 72% 90% 43% 89% 18% 78% 27% 42% 25% 0.1% 120 50% 72% 89% 43% 89% 17% 78% 27% 42% 24% 0.1% 140 50% 72% 89% 43% 89% 17% 78% 27% 42% 24% 0.1% 160 50% 72% 89% 43% 89% 17% 77% 27% 42% 24% 0.1% 180 50% 72% 89% 42% 89% 17% 77% 27% 41% 24% 0.1% 200 49% 72% 89% 42% 89% 16% 77% 27% 41% 24% 0.1%

Catch TAC N. England All 1SW MUs Russia Finland Norway Sw eden Iceland Scotland Ireland France options for option (t) Ireland & Wales simultaneous 2020/21 0 45% 70% 88% 37% 87% 20% 70% 34% 38% 29% 0.0% 20 0.0% season: 45% 70% 88% 37% 87% 20% 70% 34% 38% 29% 40 44% 70% 88% 37% 87% 19% 70% 34% 38% 29% 0.0% 60 44% 70% 88% 37% 87% 19% 70% 33% 38% 28% 0.0% 80 44% 70% 88% 37% 87% 19% 69% 33% 37% 28% 0.0% 100 44% 70% 88% 37% 87% 19% 69% 33% 37% 28% 0.0% 120 44% 70% 87% 37% 87% 19% 69% 33% 37% 28% 0.0% 140 44% 69% 87% 37% 87% 18% 68% 33% 37% 28% 0.0% 160 44% 69% 87% 37% 87% 18% 68% 33% 37% 28% 0.0% 180 43% 69% 87% 37% 86% 18% 68% 32% 37% 28% 0.0% 200 43% 69% 87% 37% 86% 18% 68% 32% 36% 28% 0.0%

120 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 3.5.1.4. Probability (%) of National NEAC - MSW stock complexes achieving their SERs individually and simultaneously for different catch options for the Faroes fishery in the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 fishing seasons. Shaded cells denote achievement of SERs with ≥95% probability.

Catch TAC N. England All MSW MUs Russia Finland Norway Sw eden Iceland Scotland Ireland France options for option (t) Ireland & Wales simultaneous 2018/19 0 73% 79% 99% 67% 99% 24% 51% 16% 84% 42% 0.3% season: 20 58% 71% 98% 61% 98% 21% 49% 16% 81% 41% 0.1% 40 44% 63% 94% 55% 97% 19% 47% 15% 79% 39% 0.0% 60 33% 56% 89% 50% 96% 17% 45% 15% 77% 38% 0.0% 80 23% 49% 83% 46% 94% 15% 44% 14% 75% 37% 0.0% 100 17% 43% 75% 42% 93% 14% 42% 14% 73% 35% 0.0% 120 12% 38% 66% 38% 91% 12% 41% 13% 70% 34% 0.0% 140 8% 34% 58% 35% 89% 11% 39% 13% 69% 33% 0.0% 160 5% 30% 50% 32% 87% 10% 38% 13% 66% 32% 0.0% 180 4% 26% 43% 29% 85% 9% 37% 12% 64% 31% 0.0% 200 3% 23% 36% 27% 83% 8% 36% 12% 62% 30% 0.0%

Catch TAC N. England All MSW MUs Russia Finland Norway Sw eden Iceland Scotland Ireland France options for option (t) Ireland & Wales simultaneous 2019/20 0 60% 74% 98% 67% 96% 21% 63% 23% 89% 28% 0.2% season: 20 46% 67% 95% 62% 94% 20% 61% 22% 87% 27% 0.1% 40 34% 60% 91% 57% 92% 18% 60% 22% 86% 26% 0.0% 60 25% 54% 85% 53% 89% 16% 59% 21% 85% 25% 0.0% 80 18% 49% 79% 49% 87% 15% 57% 21% 83% 24% 0.0% 100 13% 44% 72% 46% 84% 13% 56% 20% 82% 24% 0.0% 120 9% 39% 65% 43% 81% 12% 55% 20% 81% 23% 0.0% 140 7% 36% 58% 40% 79% 11% 54% 19% 79% 22% 0.0% 160 5% 32% 52% 37% 76% 10% 52% 19% 78% 21% 0.0% 180 4% 29% 45% 35% 74% 9% 51% 18% 76% 21% 0.0% 200 3% 26% 40% 32% 71% 8% 50% 18% 75% 20% 0.0%

Catch TAC N. England All MSW MUs Russia Finland Norway Sw eden Iceland Scotland Ireland France options for option (t) Ireland & Wales simultaneous 2020/21 0 57% 72% 97% 49% 96% 30% 73% 26% 88% 35% 0.4% 20 44% 65% 94% 44% 94% 28% 72% 26% 87% 34% 0.2% season: 40 34% 60% 90% 40% 92% 26% 71% 25% 85% 33% 0.1% 60 25% 54% 86% 37% 90% 25% 70% 25% 84% 32% 0.0% 80 19% 50% 81% 34% 88% 23% 69% 24% 83% 31% 0.0% 100 15% 45% 75% 31% 86% 22% 68% 24% 82% 30% 0.0% 120 11% 42% 69% 28% 84% 20% 67% 24% 80% 29% 0.0% 140 8% 38% 63% 26% 82% 19% 66% 23% 79% 29% 0.0% 160 6% 35% 58% 24% 80% 18% 65% 23% 78% 28% 0.0% 180 5% 32% 52% 23% 78% 16% 64% 22% 77% 27% 0.0% 200 4% 30% 47% 21% 76% 15% 63% 22% 76% 26% 0.0%

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Table 3.5.1.5. Forecast exploitation rates for 1SW and MSW salmon from Northern and Southern NEAC countries in all fisheries (assuming full catch allocations are taken) for different TAC options in the Faroes fishery in the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 fishing seasons.

Catch TAC RU- RU- FI- FI- NO- NO- SW- SW- IC- IC- SC- SC- NI- NI- EW- EW- IR- IR- FR- FR- options for optio 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 2018/19 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% season: 20 0.0% 1.2% 0.0% 0.8% 0.0% 0.7% 0.0% 0.6% 0.0% 0.2% 0.1% 0.4% 0.0% 0.3% 0.0% 0.2% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 0.2% 40 0.0% 2.4% 0.0% 1.5% 0.0% 1.3% 0.0% 1.2% 0.0% 0.4% 0.2% 0.7% 0.1% 0.5% 0.1% 0.4% 0.1% 0.6% 0.1% 0.5% 60 0.1% 3.5% 0.0% 2.3% 0.0% 2.0% 0.0% 1.8% 0.0% 0.6% 0.2% 1.1% 0.1% 0.8% 0.1% 0.7% 0.2% 0.9% 0.2% 0.7% 80 0.1% 4.7% 0.0% 3.0% 0.1% 2.6% 0.0% 2.4% 0.1% 0.8% 0.3% 1.5% 0.1% 1.0% 0.2% 0.9% 0.2% 1.1% 0.2% 0.9% 100 0.1% 5.9% 0.1% 3.8% 0.1% 3.3% 0.1% 3.0% 0.1% 1.0% 0.4% 1.8% 0.2% 1.3% 0.2% 1.1% 0.3% 1.4% 0.3% 1.2% 120 0.1% 7.0% 0.1% 4.5% 0.1% 3.9% 0.1% 3.6% 0.1% 1.2% 0.5% 2.2% 0.2% 1.5% 0.2% 1.3% 0.3% 1.7% 0.3% 1.4% 140 0.1% 8.2% 0.1% 5.3% 0.1% 4.6% 0.1% 4.2% 0.1% 1.4% 0.5% 2.5% 0.2% 1.8% 0.3% 1.5% 0.4% 2.0% 0.4% 1.6% 160 0.2% 9.4% 0.1% 6.0% 0.1% 5.2% 0.1% 4.8% 0.1% 1.6% 0.6% 2.9% 0.3% 2.1% 0.3% 1.7% 0.4% 2.3% 0.4% 1.9% 180 0.2% 10.6% 0.1% 6.8% 0.1% 5.9% 0.1% 5.4% 0.1% 1.8% 0.7% 3.3% 0.3% 2.3% 0.4% 2.0% 0.5% 2.6% 0.4% 2.1% 200 0.2% 11.7% 0.1% 7.6% 0.1% 6.5% 0.1% 6.0% 0.2% 2.0% 0.8% 3.6% 0.3% 2.6% 0.4% 2.2% 0.5% 2.9% 0.5% 2.3%

Catch TAC RU- RU- FI- FI- NO- NO- SW- SW- IC- IC- SC- SC- NI- NI- EW- EW- IR- IR- FR- FR- options for optio 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 2019/20 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% season: 20 0.0% 1.3% 0.0% 0.7% 0.0% 0.6% 0.0% 0.5% 0.0% 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.0% 0.3% 40 0.0% 2.6% 0.0% 1.4% 0.0% 1.2% 0.0% 0.9% 0.0% 0.5% 0.1% 0.8% 0.0% 0.3% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% 0.1% 0.6% 60 0.1% 3.9% 0.0% 2.1% 0.0% 1.9% 0.0% 1.4% 0.0% 0.8% 0.2% 1.2% 0.0% 0.4% 0.1% 0.4% 0.1% 0.6% 0.1% 0.9% 80 0.1% 5.2% 0.0% 2.7% 0.1% 2.5% 0.1% 1.9% 0.1% 1.0% 0.3% 1.5% 0.1% 0.5% 0.1% 0.6% 0.2% 0.8% 0.1% 1.2% 100 0.1% 6.6% 0.0% 3.4% 0.1% 3.1% 0.1% 2.4% 0.1% 1.2% 0.3% 1.9% 0.1% 0.7% 0.2% 0.7% 0.2% 1.1% 0.2% 1.5% 120 0.1% 7.9% 0.1% 4.1% 0.1% 3.7% 0.1% 2.8% 0.1% 1.5% 0.4% 2.3% 0.1% 0.8% 0.2% 0.8% 0.3% 1.3% 0.2% 1.8% 140 0.1% 9.2% 0.1% 4.8% 0.1% 4.3% 0.1% 3.3% 0.1% 1.7% 0.5% 2.7% 0.1% 0.9% 0.2% 1.0% 0.3% 1.5% 0.2% 2.1% 160 0.2% 10.5% 0.1% 5.5% 0.1% 5.0% 0.1% 3.8% 0.1% 2.0% 0.5% 3.1% 0.1% 1.0% 0.3% 1.1% 0.4% 1.7% 0.3% 2.4% 180 0.2% 11.8% 0.1% 6.2% 0.1% 5.6% 0.1% 4.2% 0.1% 2.2% 0.6% 3.5% 0.1% 1.2% 0.3% 1.3% 0.4% 1.9% 0.3% 2.6% 200 0.2% 13.1% 0.1% 6.8% 0.1% 6.2% 0.1% 4.7% 0.1% 2.5% 0.7% 3.9% 0.2% 1.3% 0.3% 1.4% 0.5% 2.1% 0.3% 2.9%

Catch TAC RU- RU- FI- FI- NO- NO- SW- SW- IC- IC- SC- SC- NI- NI- EW- EW- IR- IR- FR- FR- options for optio 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 1SW MSW 2020/21 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20 season: 0.0% 1.3% 0.0% 0.6% 0.0% 0.5% 0.0% 0.7% 0.0% 0.2% 0.1% 0.3% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.2% 0.0% 0.2% 40 0.0% 2.6% 0.0% 1.2% 0.0% 1.1% 0.0% 1.3% 0.0% 0.4% 0.1% 0.7% 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% 60 0.1% 4.0% 0.0% 1.8% 0.0% 1.6% 0.0% 2.0% 0.0% 0.6% 0.2% 1.0% 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.4% 0.1% 0.5% 0.1% 0.6% 80 0.1% 5.3% 0.0% 2.4% 0.0% 2.2% 0.1% 2.6% 0.0% 0.7% 0.3% 1.4% 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.5% 0.1% 0.7% 0.1% 0.8% 100 0.1% 6.6% 0.0% 3.0% 0.1% 2.7% 0.1% 3.3% 0.1% 0.9% 0.3% 1.7% 0.1% 0.3% 0.2% 0.6% 0.2% 0.9% 0.1% 1.0% 120 0.1% 7.9% 0.1% 3.6% 0.1% 3.3% 0.1% 3.9% 0.1% 1.1% 0.4% 2.0% 0.1% 0.4% 0.2% 0.7% 0.2% 1.0% 0.2% 1.2% 140 0.1% 9.2% 0.1% 4.2% 0.1% 3.8% 0.1% 4.6% 0.1% 1.3% 0.5% 2.4% 0.1% 0.4% 0.2% 0.8% 0.3% 1.2% 0.2% 1.4% 160 0.2% 10.5% 0.1% 4.8% 0.1% 4.3% 0.1% 5.2% 0.1% 1.5% 0.5% 2.7% 0.1% 0.5% 0.3% 0.9% 0.3% 1.4% 0.2% 1.5% 180 0.2% 11.9% 0.1% 5.4% 0.1% 4.9% 0.1% 5.9% 0.1% 1.7% 0.6% 3.0% 0.2% 0.5% 0.3% 1.0% 0.3% 1.5% 0.2% 1.7% 200 0.2% 13.2% 0.1% 6.0% 0.1% 5.4% 0.1% 6.5% 0.1% 1.9% 0.7% 3.4% 0.2% 0.6% 0.3% 1.2% 0.4% 1.7% 0.3% 1.9%

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Table 3.5.1.6. Compliance with river-specific conservation limits for individual river stocks within each jurisdiction in the NEAC area in 2017 (except Norway and Scotland where data are for 2016). NA = not available.

Country or jurisdiction 95% or 95% or No. No. No. % higher higher rivers assessed attaining attaining probability probability / for CL CL of returns of returns stock compliance meeting meeting units 1SW CL MSW CL with CL Northern NEAC 1SW MSW Russia No Yes 85 8 7 88 Finland/Norway No Yes 24 14 4 29 (Tana/Teno) Norway Yes Yes 439 174 142 82 Sweden No Yes 24 22 12 55 Iceland Yes Yes NA NA NA NA

Southern NEAC 1SW MSW UK (Scotland) No No 171 171 47 27 UK (Northern Ireland) Yes Yes 16 11 6 55 UK (England & Wales) No Yes 64 64 50 32 Ireland No No 143 143 44 31

France No No 35 35 21 60

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Table 3.6.2.1. Summary statistics for the regressions for candidate Northern NEAC stock complex indicators for inclusion in the updated Framework of Indicators (shading denotes retained indicators).

Summary Northern NEAC Stock complex indicators, 1SW

Candidate indicator dataset N r2 Significant? r2 > .2 Comments

Returns all 1SW NO PFA est 34 0.94 significant at p 0,05 yes

Survivals W 1SW NO Imsa 35 0.46 significant at p 0,05 yes

Counts all NO Nausta 20 0.22 significant at p 0,05 yes

Counts all NO Øyensåa 19 0.14 not significant at p 0,05 no

Survivals H 1SW NO Imsa 34 0.32 significant at p 0,05 yes

Catch rT&N 1SW FI 19 0.46 significant at p 0,05 yes Counts 1SW RU Tuloma 28 0.04 not significant at p 0,05 no Not updated

Tot catch 1SW TanaTeno 35 0.19 significant at p 0,05 no

Counts 1 SW Utsjoki 16 0.02 not significant at p 0,05 no

Counts 1 SW Pulmankjoki 15 0.02 not significant at p 0,05 no

Counts 1SW Akujoki 15 0.32 significant at p 0,05 yes

Summary Northern NEAC Stock complex indicators, MSW

Candidate indicator dataset N r2 Significant? r2 > .2 Comments

Returns all 2SW NO PFA est 24 0.42 significant at p 0,05 yes

PFA MSW Coast NO 34 0.85 significant at p 0,05 yes Counts all NO Orkla 17 0.56 significant at p 0,05 yes Not updated

Counts all NO Nausta 20 0.34 significant at p 0,05 yes

Counts all NO Målselv 27 0.02 not significant at p 0,05 no Counts MSW RU Tuloma 27 0.13 not significant at p 0,05 no Not updated

Catch W rT&N 2SW FI 19 0.32 significant at p 0,05 yes

Tot catch MSW TanaTeno 35 0.07 not significant at p 0,05 no

Counts MSW M Utsjoki 16 0.0006 not significant at p 0,05 no

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Table 3.6.2.2. Summary statistics for the regressions for candidate Southern NEAC stock complex indicators for inclusion in the updated Framework of Indicators (shading denotes retained indicators).

Summary Southern NEAC Stock complex indicators 1SW

Candidate indicator dataset N r2 Significant? r2 > .2 Comments

Ret. W 1SW UK(Sc.) North Esk M 37 0.67 significant at p 0,05 yes

Ret. W 1SW UK(E&W) Itchen M 30 0.09 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W 1SW UK(E&W) Frome M 45 0.40 significant at p 0,05 yes

Ret. Freshw 1SW UK(NI) Bush 43 0.23 significant at p 0,05 yes

Surv FW 1SW UK(NI) Bush 34 0.13 significant at p 0,05 no

Surv 1SW UK(NI) Bush M 29 0.61 significant at p 0,05 no

Surv coast 1SW UK(E&W) Dee M 22 0.28 significant at p 0,05 yes

Ret. W 1SW UK(E&W) Test M 30 0.01 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W 1SW UK(E&W) Dee M 26 0.50 significant at p 0,05 yes

Ret. W 1SW UK(E&W) Tamar M 24 0.21 significant at p 0,05 yes Ret. 1SW UK(E&W) Lune M 27 0.03 not significant at p 0,05 no Not updated

Count 1SW UK(E&W) Fowey M 23 0.16 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. Riv 1SW UK(Sc.) North Esk 37 0.00 not significant at p 0,05 no Ret. 1SW UK(E&W) Kent 22 0.01 not significant at p 0,05 no Not updated

Ret. 1SW UK(E&W) Leven 15 0.00 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. 1SW UK(E&W) H-Avon 12 0.00 not significant at p 0,05 no

Surv 1SW UK(E&W) Frome 14 0.22 not significant at p 0,05 yes

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Summary Southern NEAC Stock complex indicators MSW

Candidate indicator dataset N r2 Significant? r2 > .2 Comments

Ret. W MSW UK(E&W) Itchen NM 30 0.33 significant at p 0,05 yes

Catch W MSW Ice Ellidaar NM 46 0.54 significant at p 0,05 yes

Ret. W 2SW UK(Sc.) Baddoch NM 30 0.38 significant at p 0,05 yes

Ret. W MSW UK(E&W) Frome NM 45 0.30 significant at p 0,05 yes

Ret. W 1SW UK(E&W) Tamar NM 24 0.02 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W 1SW UK(E&W) Frome NM 45 0.24 significant at p 0,05 yes Ret. MSW UK(E&W) Lune NM 27 0.17 significant at p 0,05 no Not updated

Ret. W 1SW UK(Sc.) North Esk NM 37 0.17 significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W 1SW UK(E&W) Itchen NM 30 0.29 significant at p 0,05 yes

Ret. Freshw 2SW UK(NI) Bush 42 0.12 significant at p 0,05 no

Count MSW UK(E&W) Fowey NM 23 0.05 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W 2SW UK(Sc.) North Esk NM 37 0.51 significant at p 0,05 yes

Ret. W 2SW UK(Sc.) Girnoch NM 46 0.39 significant at p 0,05 yes

Ret. W MSW UK(E&W) Test NM 30 0.09 not significant at p 0,05 no

Count 1SW UK(E&W) Fowey NM 23 0.00 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W 1SW UK(E&W) Dee NM 26 0.09 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W All UK(Sc.) West water NM 27 0.05 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W 1SW UK(E&W) Test NM 30 0.17 significant at p 0,05 no

Survival coast 1SW UK(E&W) Dee NM 22 0.10 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W All UK(Sc.) West water M 27 0.12 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W MSW UK(E&W) Dee NM 26 0.18 significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. W MSW UK(E&W) Tamar NM 24 0.19 significant at p 0,05 no

Survival coast MSW UK(E&W) Dee NM 21 0.03 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. Riv MSW UK(Sc.) North Esk 36 0.01 not significant at p 0,05 no Ret. MSW UK(E&W) Kent 22 0.03 not significant at p 0,05 no Not updated

Counts. MSW UK(E&W) Leven 15 0.09 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. MSW UK(E&W) H-Avon 12 0.06 not significant at p 0,05 no

Ret. MSW UK(E&W) Frome 13 0.12 not significant at p 0,05 no

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Figure 3.1.3.1. Overview of effort as reported for various fisheries and countries 1971–2017 in the Northern NEAC area.

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UK England & Wales UK Scotland Thousands 500 Gillnet Sweep net 4 Fixed engine 450 Hand held net Fised engine Net and coble 4 400 350 3 300 3

250 2 200

Number units of 2

150 Number units of 1 100 50 1

0 0 1971 1973 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 1971 1973 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017

350 UK N-Ireland Thousands Ireland 1.4 Driftnets No. 300 Driftnet Draftnets Draftnet 1.2 Other nets 250 Bagnets and boxes

1 200

0.8 150 Number units of 0.6 100

Number units of 0.4 50

0 0.2

1971 1973 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 0

France Rod and line licence (Ireland, France and UK Thousands 120 England & Wales) 40 Nets in fresh France water 100 35 Licenses Ireland estuary 30 80 Uk England & 25 Wales

60 20

15 Number units of 40 Number units of 10 20 5

Figure 3.1.3.2. Overview of effort as reported for various fisheries and countries 1971–2017 in the Southern NEAC area.

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Figure 3.1.4.1. Nominal catches of salmon and five-year running means in the Southern and North- ern NEAC areas, 1971–2017.

Figure 3.1.5.1. Proportional change (%) over years in cpue estimates in various rod and net fisheries in Northern and Southern NEAC area.

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Figure 3.1.6.1. Percentage of 1SW salmon in the reported catch for the Northern (black) and South- ern (grey) stock complexes, 1987–2017.

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Figure 3.1.9.1. Mean annual exploitation rate of wild 1SW and MSW salmon by commercial and recreational fisheries in Southern NEAC countries from 1971 to 2017.

Figure 3.1.9.2. The rate of change of exploitation of 1SW and MSW salmon in Northern NEAC (left) and Southern NEAC (right) countries.

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Figure 3.3.4.1a. Summary of fisheries and stock description, River Teno / Tana (Finland and Norway combined). The river-specific CL, which is used for assessment purposes, is included on the national CL analysis plot (for comparison, the CL estimated from the national S–R relationship is at the inflection point).

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Figure 3.3.4.1b. Summary of fisheries and stock description, France. The river-specific CL, which is used for assessment purposes, is included on the national CL analysis plot (for comparison, the CL estimated from the national S–R relationship is at the inflection point).

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Figure 3.3.4.1c. Summary of fisheries and stock description, Iceland.

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Figure 3.3.4.1d. Summary of fisheries and stock description, Ireland. The river-specific CL, which is used for assessment purposes, is included on the national CL analysis plot (for comparison, the CL estimated from the national S–R relationship is at the inflection point).

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Figure 3.3.4.1e. Summary of fisheries and stock description, Norway (minus Norwegian catches from the R. Teno / Tana). The river-specific CLs, which are used for assessment purposes, are included on the regional CL analysis plots (for comparison, the CLs estimated from the regional S–R relationships are at the inflection points).

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Figure 3.3.4.1f. Summary of fisheries and stock description, Russia.

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Figure 3.3.4.1g. Summary of fisheries and stock description, Sweden. The river-specific CL, which is used for assessment purposes, is included on the national CL analysis plot (for comparison, the CL estimated from the national S–R relationship is at the inflection point).

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Figure 3.3.4.1h. Summary of fisheries and stock description, UK (England & Wales). The river-specific CL, which is used for assessment purposes, is included on the national CL analysis plot (for comparison, the CL estimated from the national S–R relationship is at the inflection point).

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Figure 3.3.4.1i. Summary of fisheries and stock description, UK (Northern Ireland). The river-specific CLs, which are used for assessment purposes, are included on the regional CL analysis plots (for comparison, the CLs estimated from the regional S–R relationships are at the inflection points).

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Figure 3.3.4.1j. Summary of fisheries and stock description, UK (Scotland).

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Figure 3.3.4.2. Estimated PFA (left panels) and spawning escapement (right panels) with 90% confidence limits, for maturing 1SW (1SW spawners) and non-maturing 1SW (MSW spawners) salmon in northern (NEAC-N) and southern (NEAC-S) NEAC stock complexes.

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Figure 3.3.4.3. PFA of maturing (for 2017) and non-maturing (for 2016) 1SW in percent of spawner escapement reserve (% of SER). Median and 5th percentile refer to the Monte Carlo distribution of each estimate. For circles and squares, colour represents median values. For triangles, colour represents 5th percentiles.

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Figure 3.3.4.4. 1SW returns and spawners in percent of conservation limit (% of CL) for 2017. Me- dian and 5th percentile refer to the Monte Carlo distribution of each estimate. For circles and squares, colour represents median values. For triangles, colour represents 5th percentiles.

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Figure 3.3.4.5. MSW returns and spawners in percent of conservation limit (% of CL) for 2017. Me- dian and 5th percentile refer to the Monte Carlo distribution of each estimate. For circles and squares, colour represents median values. For triangles, colour represents 5th percentiles.

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Figure 3.3.4.6. 1SW returns and spawners in percent of region specific conservation limit (% of CL) for 2017. Median and 5th percentile refer to the Monte Carlo distribution of each estimate. For circles and squares, colour represents median values. For triangles, colour represents 5th percentiles.

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Figure 3.3.4.7. MSW returns and spawners in percent of region specific conservation limit (% of CL) for 2017. Median and 5th percentile refer to the Monte Carlo distribution of each estimate. For circles and squares, colour represents median values. For triangles, colour represents 5th percentiles.

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Figure 3.3.5.1 Time-series showing the number of rivers with established CLs (blue dotted lines), the number of rivers assessed annually (black solid lines), and the number of rivers meeting CLs annually (red dashed lines) for jurisdictions in the NEAC area.

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Figure 3.3.6.1. Comparison of the percent change in the five-year mean returns for 1SW and 2SW wild salmon smolts to rivers of Northern (upper panel) and Southern NEAC (lower panel) areas for the 2007 to 2011 and 2012 to 2016 smolt years (2006 to 2010 and 2011 to 2015 for SW salmon). Open circle are for 1SW and filled circles are for 2SW dataseries. Triangles indicate all ages without separation in 1SW and 2SW returns. Populations with at least three datapoints in each of the two time periods are included in the analysis. The scale of change in some rivers is influenced by low return numbers, where a few fish more or less returning may have a large consequence on the percentage change.

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Figure 3.3.6.2. Comparison of the percent change in the five-year mean returns for 1SW and 2SW hatchery salmon smolts to rivers of Northern (upper panel) and Southern NEAC (lower panel) areas for the 2007 to 2011 and 2012 to 2016 smolt years (2006 to 2010 and 2011 to 2015 for SW salmon). Open circle are for 1SW and filled circles are for 2SW dataseries. Triangles indicate all ages without separation in 1SW and 2SW returns. Populations with at least three datapoints in each of the two time periods are included in the analysis. The scale of change in some rivers is influenced by low return numbers, where a few fish more or less returning may have a large consequence on the percentage change.

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Figure 3.3.6.3. Least squared (marginal mean) average annual survival indices (%) of wild (left hand panels) and hatchery-origin smolts (right hand panels) to 1SW (blue) and 2SW (green) salmon to Northern (top panels) and Southern NEAC areas (bottom panels). For most rivers in Southern NEAC, the values are returns to the coast prior to the homewater coastal fisheries. Annual means derived from a general linear model analysis of rivers in a region with a quasi-Poisson distribution (log-link function). Error bars are 95% CIs. Note y-scale differences among panels. Following details in Tables 3.3.6.1 and 3.3.6.2, the analyses included estimated survival (%) to 1SW and 2SW returns by smolt year. Wild returns to Northern NEAC rivers (Vesturdalsa, Halselva, and Imsa) and Southern NEAC rivers (Ellidaar, Corrib, Burrishoole, North Esk, Bush, Dee, Tamar and Frome). Hatchery returns to Northern NEAC rivers (Halselva, Imsa, Drammen and Lagan) and Southern NEAC rivers (Ranga, Shannon, Screebe, Burrishoole, Delphi-Burrishoole, Delphi, Bunowen, Lee, Corrib-Cong, Corrib-Galway, Erne, Bush 1+ smolts and Bush 2+ smolts).

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Figure 3.4.2.1. Southern NEAC PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1978 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th Bayesian credible intervals (BCIs).

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Figure 3.4.2.2. Northern NEAC PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1991 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th Bayesian credible intervals (BCIs).

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Figure 3.4.3.1. France: PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1978 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Figure 3.4.3.2. Ireland: PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1978 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Figure 3.4.3.3. UK (Northern Ireland): PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1978 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Figure 3.4.3.4. UK (England & Wales): PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1978 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Figure 3.4.3.5. UK (Scotland): PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1978 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Figure 3.4.3.6. Iceland (south/west regions): PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1978 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Figure 3.4.3.7. Russia: PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1991 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Figure 3.4.3.8. Finland: PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1991 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Figure 3.4.3.9. Norway: PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1991 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Figure 3.4.3.10. Sweden: PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1991 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Figure 3.4.3.11. Iceland (north/east regions): PFA maturing and non-maturing, lagged eggs (in 1000s), proportion 1SW maturing, and the productivity parameter values for PFA years 1991 to 2021. For PFAs, proportion maturing and productivity parameter for the last five years (2017 to 2021) are forecasts (as indicated by the blue shaded region). The horizontal lines in the upper panels are the age-specific SER values. Box and whiskers show the 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th BCIs.

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Catch options 100% for 2018/19 90% season: 80% NEAC-N-1SW 70% NEAC-N-MSW 60%

50% NEAC-S-1SW 40% NEAC-S-MSW 30%

20% All complexes simultaneous Probability Probability of achieving(%) SER 10% 0% 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

TAC Option (t)

Catch options 100% for 2019/20 90% season: 80% NEAC-N-1SW 70% NEAC-N-MSW 60% 50% NEAC-S-1SW 75% 40% NEAC-S-MSW 30% 20% All complexes simultaneous Probability Probability of achieving(%) SER 10% 0% 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

TAC Option (t)

Catch options 100% for 2020/21 90% season: 80% NEAC-N-1SW 70% NEAC-N-MSW 60% 50% NEAC-S-1SW 75% 40% NEAC-S-MSW 30%

20% All complexes simultaneous Probability Probability of achieving(%) SER 10% 0% 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

TAC Option (t)

Figure 3.5.1.1 Probability of Northern and Southern NEAC - 1SW and MSW stock complexes, and all stock complexes simultaneously, achieving their SERs for different catch options for the Faroes fishery in the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 fishing seasons.

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Figure 3.6.1.1. Suggested timeline for employment of the Framework of Indicators (FWI). In Year i, ICES provides multiyear catch advice (MYCA) and an updated FWI which re-evaluates the updated datasets and is summarized in an Excel worksheet. In January of Year i+1 the FWI is applied and two options are available depending on the results. If no significant change is detected, no reassessment is necessary and the cycle continues to Year i+2. If no significant change is detected in Year i+2, the cycle continues to Year i+3. If a significant change is detected in any year, then reassessment is recommended. In that case, ICES would provide an updated FWI the following May. ICES would also provide an updated FWI if year equals four.

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Figure 3.6.2.1. Framework of indicators spreadsheet for the Faroes fishery. The Northern NEAC stock complexes are shaded out since only the two Southern NEAC stock complexes are currently determining the outcome of the FWI. The Northern NEAC stock complexes are still retained in the spreadsheet because they may influence the advice in future.

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4 North American commission

4.1 NASCO has requested ICES to describe the key events of the 2017 fisheries

4.1.1 Key events of the 2017 fisheries There were no significant changes in the 2017 fisheries.

4.1.2 Gear and effort

Canada The 23 areas for which Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) manages the salmon fisheries are called Salmon Fishing Areas (SFAs). Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon, SFA 22 and part of SFA 23, have been federally listed as endangered under the Canadian Species at Risk Act and information for these stocks are not included in the information and advice provided to NASCO, as with the exception of one population, these stocks have a localized migration strategy while at sea and an incidence of maturity after one winter at sea. In Québec, the management of Atlantic salmon is delegated to the province (Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune, et des Parcs) and the fishing areas are designated by Q1 through Q11 (Figure 4.1.2.1). Harvests (fish which were retained) and catches (including harvests and fish caught and released in recreational fisheries) are categorized in two size groups: small and large. Small salmon, generally 1SW, in the recreational and subsistence fisheries refer to salmon less than 63 cm fork length. In historic commercial fisheries small salmon refer to fish less than 2.7 kg whole weight. Large salmon, generally MSW and repeat spawners, in recreational and subsistence fisheries are greater than or equal to 63 cm fork length. In historic commercial fisheries large salmon refer to fish greater than or equal to 2.7 kg whole weight. Three groups exploited salmon in Canada in 2017: Indigenous; resident subsistence and recreational fishers. There were no commercial salmon fisheries in Canada in 2017 and retaining bycatch of salmon in commercial fisheries targeting other species is not permitted. Salmon discards from these fisheries are not estimated, however, previous analyses by ICES indicated the extent was low (ICES, 2004a). The sale of Atlantic salmon caught in any Canadian fishery is prohibited. In 2017, four subsistence fisheries harvested salmon in Labrador: 1) Nunatsiavut Gov- ernment (NG) members fishing in northern Labrador communities (Rigolet, Makkovik, Hopedale, Postville, and Nain); 2) Innu Nation members fishing in the northern Lab- rador community of Natuashish and Lake Melville community of Sheshatshiu; 3) NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) members fishing in southern Labrador and Lake Melville and, 4) Labrador residents fishing in Lake Melville and various coastal communities. The NG, Innu, and NCC fisheries were monitored by Indigenous Fishery Guardians/Officers jointly administered by the Indigenous groups and DFO. Fish were caught using multifilament gillnets of 15 fathoms (27.4 m) in length of a stretched mesh size ranging from 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm). Nets are generally set in estuaries and coastal bays within headlands. Catch statistics are based on logbook reports. Most catches (92% in 2017, Figure 2.1.1.2) in Canada now take place in rivers or in estuaries. Fisheries are principally managed on a river-by-river basis and in areas where retention of large salmon in recreational fisheries are allowed, the fisheries are closely controlled. In other areas, fisheries are managed on larger management units that encompass a collection of geographically neighbouring stocks. The commercial fisheries

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are now closed and the remaining coastal subsistence fisheries in Labrador are mainly located in bays generally inside the headlands. Sampling of the Labrador subsistence fisheries continued in 2017 for biological characteristics and tissue samples to identify the origin of harvested salmon. The following management measures were in effect in 2017:

Indigenous food, social, and ceremonial (FSC) fisheries In Québec, Indigenous fisheries took place subject to agreements, conventions or through permits issued to the communities. There are approximately ten communities with subsistence fisheries in addition to the fishing activities of the Inuit in Ungava (Q11), who fished in estuaries or within rivers. The permits generally stipulate gear, season, and catch limits. Catches with permits have to be reported collectively by each Indigenous group. However, catches under a convention, such as for Inuit in Ungava, do not have to be reported. When reports are not available, the catches are estimated based on the most reliable information available (i.e. local enforcement officer or biologist reports). In the Maritimes (SFAs 15 to 23), FSC agreements were signed with several Indigenous groups (mostly First Nations) in 2017. The signed agreements often included allocations of small and large salmon and the area of fishing was usually in- river or estuaries. Harvests that occurred both within and outside agreements were obtained directly from the Indigenous groups. In Labrador (SFAs 1 and 2), FSC agreements with the NG, Innu, and NCC resulted in fisheries in estuaries and coastal areas. By agreement with First Nations, there were no FSC fisheries for salmon in Newfound- land in 2017. Harvests by Indigenous recreational fishers were reported under the recreational harvest categories.

Resident subsistence fisheries in Labrador DFO is responsible for regulating the Labrador resident fishery. In 2017, a licensed gillnet subsistence trout and charr fishery for Labrador residents took place in estuary and coastal areas of Labrador. Licences were limited to 154 fishers and conditions restrict a seasonal bycatch of three salmon of any size while fishing for trout and charr; three salmon tags accompanied each licence. Resident fishers were required to remove their nets from the water once their bycatch of salmon was caught. Catches exceeding three salmon must be discarded. All licensed resident fishers were requested to complete and return logbooks to DFO.

Recreational fisheries Licences are required to fish recreationally for Atlantic salmon in Canada. Gear is restricted to fly fishing and there are daily and seasonal bag limits. Recreational fisheries management in 2017 varied by area and large portions of the southern areas remained closed to all directed salmon fisheries (Figure 4.1.2.2). Within the province of Québec, there are 114 salmon rivers and fishing for salmon was prohibited on 32 rivers. Large salmon could be retained throughout the season on eight rivers (seven in the north and lower North shore, and one in the South on the Causap- scal, a tributary of the Matapedia River) and for part of the season on eleven other rivers. Small salmon could be retained for the entire season on 59 rivers and seven rivers permit catch and release only. Following the very low returns to many Gulf rivers in 2014, mandatory catch and release measures for small salmon were implemented in the Gulf region in 2015 and have continued.

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In Scotia-Fundy, only three rivers (located in eastern Cape Breton, SFA 19) were open to angling for Atlantic salmon, and these rivers are restricted to catch and release only. In Newfoundland and Labrador, during the 2017 angling season, 56% of scheduled rivers were closed for part of the angling season due to environmental conditions (high water temperatures and/or low water levels). In total, 19.9% of angler days were lost due to environmental closures in Newfoundland in 2017, the highest since 1987 (36.9%). On 7 August 2017, the recreational fishery in Newfoundland was closed to retention (catch and release only) due to poor returns on monitored rivers. In all areas of eastern Canada, there is no estimate of salmon released as bycatch in recreational fisheries targeting other species.

USA There were no recreational or commercial fisheries for anadromous Atlantic salmon in the USA in 2017.

France (Islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon) Eight professional and 80 recreational gillnet licences were issued in 2017 (Table 4.1.2.1), the maximum numbers permitted for both groups by legislation. Professional licences had a maximum authorization of three nets of 360 metres maximum length each whereas recreational licences were restricted to one net of 180 metres. The selling of Atlantic salmon was only allowed by professional licence holders and was restricted to within the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

4.1.3 Catches in 2017

Canada The provisional harvest of salmon in 2017 by all users was 111.8 t, approximately 17% lower than the 2016 harvest of 135.0 t (Tables 2.1.1.1, 2.1.1.2; Figure 4.1.3.1). The 2017 harvest was the lowest in the time-series since 1960, although only slightly lower than 2007. The 2017 harvest was comprised of 32 439 small salmon (56.7 t) and 11 578 large salmon (55.2 t), 28% fewer small salmon and 1% fewer large salmon by number compared to 2016. There has been a dramatic decline in harvest since 1988 as a result of the closure of commercial fisheries (year of closure: Newfoundland 1992, Labrador 1998, Québec 2000). The Working Group recommends complete and timely reporting of catch statistics from all fisheries for all areas of eastern Canada.

Indigenous FSC fisheries The provisional harvest by Indigenous groups in 2017 was 61.3 t, slightly lower than the 64.0 t reported in 2016 (Table 4.1.3.1). The percentage of large salmon by number (51%) was similar to the 2016 value (50%) and among the highest values since 1998. In Labrador, total catch from Indigenous fishers was estimated by raising the reported catch to the total number of fishers. For Québec, catches from the indigenous fisheries were to be reported collectively by each Indigenous community. As in Québec, Indig- enous groups with fishing agreements in the DFO Gulf and Maritimes regions were expected to report their catches. When reports were not available, the catches were estimated on the basis of the most reliable information available (i.e. local enforcement officer or biologist reports). The reliability of the catch estimates varies among user

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groups. Reports in most years were incomplete. The 2017 values will be updated when the reports are finalized.

Resident subsistence fisheries in Labrador The estimated catch for the Labrador resident fisheries in 2017 was 1.6 t, the same as the previous year and the lowest values since the time-series began in 2000. This represents approximately 553 fish, 38% large by number (Table 4.1.3.2).

Recreational fisheries Harvest in recreational fisheries in 2017 totalled 24 987 small and large salmon (48.9 t). This harvest, by number, decreased 32.7% from the 2016 harvest and 30.4% from the previous five-year average, and is the lowest in the time-series since 1974 (Table 4.1.3.3; Figure 4.1.3.2). The small salmon harvest of 23 101 fish was 34.6% lower than the 2016 harvest. The large salmon harvest of 1886 fish was 3.5% above the 2016 harvest and these were taken exclusively in Québec in both years. The small salmon size group has contributed 89% on average of the total recreational harvests since the imposition of catch and release measures for large salmon in recreational fisheries in the Maritimes (SFA 15 to 23) and Newfoundland (SFA 3 to 14B) in 1984 (retention of large salmon ceased in Labrador in 2011). In 2017, 49 513 salmon (26 354 small and 23 159 large) were caught and released (Table 4.1.3.4; Figure 4.1.3.3), representing 67% of the total catch (including retained fish), the highest value of the time-series and has consistently been above 50% since 1997. For large salmon, 93% of the catch was released (retention permitted only in Québec), which was similar to the highest value in the time-series (since 1984 closures in Mari- times and Newfoundland) of 94% in 2016. Recreational catch statistics for Atlantic salmon are not collected regularly in all areas of Canada and there is no enforceable mechanism in place that requires anglers to report their catch statistics, except in Québec where reporting of harvested salmon is an enforced legal requirement. The last recreational angler survey for New Brunswick was conducted in 1997, and the catch rates for the Miramichi River from that survey have been used to estimate catches (both harvest and catch and release) for all subsequent years.

Commercial fisheries All commercial fisheries for Atlantic salmon remained closed in Canada in 2017 and the catch therefore was zero.

Unreported catches The unreported catch for Canada totalled 25.4 t in 2017. The majority of this unreported catch is illegal fisheries directed at salmon (Tables 2.1.3.1, 2.1.3.2). Of the unreported catch, which could be attributed to a geographic location, 8.2 t was considered to have occurred in inland waters, 1.2 t in estuaries and 2.6 t in marine waters.

USA There are no commercial or recreational fisheries for anadromous Atlantic salmon in the USA and the catch therefore was zero. Unreported catches in the USA were estimated to be 0 t.

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France (Islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon) A total harvest of 2.8 t was reported for Saint Pierre and Miquelon in 2017, a decrease of 40% from the 2016 reported harvest of 4.7 t (Tables 2.1.1.1, 4.1.2.1). There are no unreported catch estimates for the time-series.

4.1.4 Harvest of North American salmon, expressed as 2SW salmon equivalents Harvest histories (1972 to 2017) of salmon, expressed as 2SW salmon equivalents, are provided in Table 4.1.4.1. The Newfoundland and Labrador commercial fishery was historically a mixed-stock fishery and harvested both maturing and non-maturing 1SW salmon as well as 2SW maturing salmon. The harvest of repeat spawners and older sea ages was not considered in the run-reconstructions. Harvests of 1SW non-maturing salmon in Newfoundland and Labrador commercial fisheries have been adjusted by natural mortalities of 3% per month for 13 months, and 2SW harvests in these same fisheries have been adjusted by one month to express all harvests as 2SW equivalents in the year and time they would reach rivers of origin. The Labrador commercial fishery has been closed since 1998. Harvests from the Indigenous Peoples’ fisheries in Labrador (since 1998) and the residents’ food fishery in Labrador (since 2000) are both included. Mortalities in mixed-stock fisheries and losses in terminal locations (including harvests, losses from catch and release mortality and other removals including broodstock) in Canada were summed with those of the USA to estimate total 2SW equivalent losses in North America. The terminal fisheries included coastal, estuarine and river catches of all areas, except Newfoundland and Labrador where only river catches were included, and excluding Saint Pierre & Miquelon. Data inputs were updated to 2017. Total 2SW harvest equivalents of North American origin salmon in all fisheries peaked at 526 000 fish in 1974 and was above 200 000 fish in most years until 1990 (Table 4.1.4.1; Figure 4.1.4.1). Harvest equivalents within North America peaked at about 363 000 in 1976 and have remained below 12 000 2SW salmon equivalents for most years between 1999 and 2017 (Table 4.1.4.1; Figure 4.1.4.1). The proportion of the 2SW harvest equivalents taken in North America has varied from 0.46 to 0.65 of the total removals in all fisheries during 2007 to 2017 (Figure 4.1.4.1). In the most recent year (2017), the losses of the cohort destined to be 2SW salmon in terminal areas of North America was estimated at 4609 fish (median), 46% of the total North American catch of 2SW salmon. The percentages of harvests occurring in terminal fisheries ranged from 17 to 33% during 1972 to 1991 and 44 to 87% during 1992 to 2017 (Table 4.1.4.1). Percentages increased significantly since 1992 with the reduction and closures of the Newfoundland and Labrador commercial mixed-stock fisheries. The percentage of 2SW salmon harvested in North American fisheries in 2017 is 64% (Table 4.1.4.1). The percentages of the 2SW harvests by fishery and fishing area are summarized in Figure 4.1.4.1. The percentage of the 2SW harvest equivalents taken at Greenland was as high as 56% in 1992 and 2002 and as low as 5% in 1994 when the internal use fishery at Greenland was suspended (Figure 4.1.4.1). In the last three years, the Greenland share of the 2SW harvest equivalents has been 36% to 53%. For similar years, the harvests in the Labrador subsistence fisheries have been 22 to 34% of the total harvests and 19% to 24% in terminal fisheries of Québec (Figure 4.1.4.1).

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4.1.5 Origin and composition of catches In the past, salmon from both Canada and the USA were taken in the commercial fisheries of eastern Canada. Sampling programs of current marine fisheries (Labrador and Saint Pierre and Miquelon) are used to determine region of origin of harvested salmon.

Labrador subsistence fisheries sampling program Salmon harvested in the Labrador subsistence fisheries (SFAs 1 and 2, Figure 4.1.2.1) were sampled opportunistically for length, weight, sex, scales (for age analysis) and tissue (genetic analysis). Fish were also examined for the presence of external tags or marks. In 2017, a total of 772 samples (6% of harvest by number) were collected from the Lab- rador subsistence fisheries: 78 from northern Labrador (SFA 1A), 359 from Lake Mel- ville (SFA 1B), and 335 samples from southern Labrador (SFA 2) (Figure 4.1.2.1). Not all scales are able to be interpreted for sea age and/or river age. Based on the interpretation of the scale samples (n=739), percentage sea age composition was 72% 1SW, 22% 2SW, 1% 3SW and 5% previously spawned salmon. The majority of salmon sampled (n=723) were river ages 3 to 6 years (99%) (modal age 4). There were no river age 1 and few river age 2 (0.7%) salmon sampled, suggesting, as in previous years (2006 to 2016), that very few salmon from the most southern stocks of North America (USA, Scotia- Fundy) were exploited in these fisheries.

Percentage of samples by river age within the three sampled areas in 2017

Area Number River Age of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Samples Northern Labrador (SFA 1A) 75 0.0 1.3 12.0 58.7 25.3 2.7 0.0 Lake Melville (SFA 1B) 320 0.0 0.6 24.7 58.4 15.9 0.3 0.0 Southern Labrador (SFA 2) 328 0.0 0.6 25.0 59.1 15.2 0.0 0.0

All areas 723 0.0 0.7 23.5 58.8 16.6 0.4 0.0

From 2015–2017 a total of 1486 individuals from the Labrador subsistence salmon fisheries were analysed using the microsatellite panel of twelve North American regional reporting groups (Table 4.1.5.1 and Figure 4.1.5.1). The estimated percent contributions of the twelve groups (and associated 95% credible interval) are shown in Table 4.1.5.2 and Figures 4.1.5.2, 4.1.5.3 and 4.1.5.4. Estimates are dominated by the Labrador group with an average of 98.9%. Few non-local interceptions were detected, however, two individuals of USA origin were detected in the 2017 processed samples for Labra- dor (n=xx). Four individuals of USA origin were previously detected in samples collected in northern Labrador from 2006–2011 (Bradbury et al., 2015). The dominance of the Labrador reporting group is consistent with previous analysis conducted for the period 2006–2014 which estimated >95.0% of the harvest was attributable to Labrador stocks.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon fisheries sampling program A total of 398 individuals collected from the Saint Pierre and Miquelon fishery (2015– 2017) were analysed using the microsatellite panel of twelve North American regional reporting groups (Figure 4.1.5.1). The estimated percent contributions of the twelve

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groups (and associated 95% credible interval) are shown in Table 4.1.5.3 and Figures 4.1.5.5, 4.1.5.6 and 4.1.5.7. Contrasting 2013 and 2014 when samples of the catch are dominated by large salmon >63 cm, samples for 2015–2017 were dominated by small individuals <63 cm (Figure 4.1.5.8). In fact, the proportion of small salmon in the samples has generally increased over time (Figure 4.1.5.8). Regional analysis using the microsatellite panel of the 398 individuals over all years showed the consistent dominance of three regional groups (83–89%: Southern Gulf of St Lawrence, Gaspe Peninsula, and Newfoundland) (Figures 4.1.5.5, 4.1.5.6, 4.1.5.7 and Table 4.1.5.3). Consistent with increases in the proportion of small salmon in the samples, the proportion from the New- foundland regional group also seems to be increasing over time (Figure 4.1.5.9, Table 4.1.5.3). There was no information on the proportion small in the total catch for Saint Pierre and Miquelon nor how the samples were collected making it difficult to interpret whether sampling is representative of the catch.

Recommendations for future activities The Working Group recommends improved catch statistics and sampling of the Lab- rador and Saint Pierre and Miquelon fisheries. Improved catch statistics and sampling of all aspects of the fishery across the fishing season will improve the information on biological characteristics and stock origin of salmon harvested in these mixed-stock fisheries. The Working Group notes that the 2017 samples represented approximately 6% of the provisional harvest in Labrador and approximately 13% of reported harvest in Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

4.1.6 Exploitation rates

Canada Provisional mean exploitation rates in the 2017 recreational fishery for retained small salmon was 11% for Newfoundland (eleven rivers; range of 2 to 20%) and 3% for Lab- rador (Sand Hill River only), which was greater than the previous five year mean of 10% for Newfoundland and similar to the previous five year mean for Labrador (3%). In Québec, total fishing exploitation rate was estimated at 14%, with rates of 6% for the Indigenous fishery and 8% for the recreational fishery. The total exploitation rate in 2017 for Québec was the lowest value observed since 1984; it is mostly influenced by the closure of the commercial fishery between 1998 and 2000 and by the increase in the number of released fish in recent years due to regulatory changes. Retention of small and large salmon in the recreational fisheries of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island was not permitted in 2017.

USA There was no exploitation of anadromous salmon in homewaters.

Exploitation trends for North American salmon fisheries Annual exploitation rates of small salmon (mostly 1SW) and large salmon (mostly MSW) in North America for the 1971 to 2017 time period were calculated by dividing annual estimated losses (harvests, estimated mortality from catch and release (ICES, 2010), broodstock) in all North American fisheries by annual estimates of the returns

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to North America prior to any homewater fisheries. The fisheries included coastal, estuarine and river fisheries in all areas, as well as the commercial fisheries of Newfound- land and Labrador, which harvested salmon from all regions in North America. Exploitation rates of both small and large salmon fluctuated annually but remained relatively steady until 1984 when exploitation of large salmon declined sharply with the introduction of the non-retention of large salmon in angling fisheries and reductions in commercial fisheries (Figure 4.1.6.1). Exploitation of small salmon declined steeply in North America with the closure of the Newfoundland commercial fishery in 1992. Declines continued in the 1990s with continuing management controls in all fisheries to reduce exploitation. In the last few years, exploitation rates on small salmon and large salmon have remained at the lowest in the time-series, averaging 10% for large salmon and 14% for small salmon over the past ten years. However, exploitation rates across regions within North America are highly variable.

4.2 Management objectives and reference points Management objectives are described in Section 1.4 and reference points and the application of precaution are described in Section 1.5. In 2016, WGNAS provided an overview of ongoing work that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) was undertaking to refine reference points for Atlantic salmon in Can- ada that conformed to the Precautionary Approach (ICES, 2016). Since then DFO Mar- itimes Region (Scotia-Fundy) has retained the current conservation requirement based on 240 eggs per 100 m² as the Limit Reference Point (DFO, 2012; Gibson and Claytor, 2013). DFO Newfoundland Region retained the current conservation requirement based on 240 eggs per 100 m² of fluvial rearing habitat, and in addition for insular Newfoundland 368 eggs per ha of lacustrine habitat (or 150 eggs per ha for stocks on the northern peninsula of Newfoundland), as equivalent to their Limit Reference Point and have defined the Upper Stock Reference as 150% of the Limit Reference Point (DFO, 2017a). The Province of Québec revised the Limit Reference point and Upper Stock Reference point using a Bayesian hierarchical analysis of stock–recruitment data (Dionne et al., 2015; MFFP, 2016; ICES, 2017). DFO Gulf Region undertook an exercise in 2017 to revise and define the Limit Reference Point in that region of Canada using the proportion of eggs from MSW salmon as a covariate in the Bayesian Hierarchical Model (DFO, 2018b). The Limit Reference Points in all cases are defined in terms of total eggs from all sizes and sea ages of salmon. There were no changes to the 2SW salmon Conservation Limits (CLs) and Management Objectives from those identified previously (ICES, 2015). The revised Limit Reference Points for Canada have yet to be converted to adult (and 2SW) sea age equivalents. CLs for 2SW salmon for Canada total 123 349 and 29 199 for the USA, for a combined total of 152 548 2SW salmon.

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Country and Comission Stock Area 2SW spawner 2SW Management Area requirement Objective

Labrador 34 746 Newfoundland 4022 Gulf of St 30 430 Lawrence Québec 29 446 Scotia-Fundy 24 705 10 976 Canada Total 123 349 USA 29 199 4549

North American Total 152 548

4.3 Status of stocks To date, 1082 Atlantic salmon rivers have been identified in eastern Canada and 21 rivers in eastern USA, where salmon are or were present within the last half century. Conservation requirements have been defined for 476 (44%) of these rivers in eastern Canada and all rivers in USA. Assessments of adult spawners and egg depositions relative to conservation requirements were reported for 76 rivers in eastern North Amer- ica in 2017.

4.3.1 Smolt abundance

Canada Wild smolt production was estimated in eleven rivers in 2017 (Table 4.3.1.1). The relative smolt production, scaled to the size of the river using the conservation egg requirements, was highest in Vieux-Fort River (Québec) and lowest in Rocky River (Newfoundland) (Figure 4.3.1.1). Trends in smolt production over the time-series declined (p <0.05) in Conne River (Newfoundland, 1987–2017), Nashwaak River (Scotia- Fundy, 1998–2016) and the two monitored rivers of Québec (St Jean, 1989–2017; de la Trinite, 1984–2017), whereas production significantly increased (p <0.05) in Western Arm Brook (Newfoundland, 1971–2017). No other rivers showed statistically significant long-term trends (Figure 4.3.1.1).

USA In 2017, wild salmon relative smolt production was estimated on the Sheepscot River (Table 4.3.1.1; Figure 4.3.1.1) and was the highest since 2011. Wild salmon smolt production was estimated annually on the Narraguagus River from 1997–2015; however, values for 2016 and 2017 were unavailable. Smolt production has declined over time (p <0.05) in both Sheepscot River (2009–2017) and Narraguagus River (1997–2015).

4.3.2 Estimates of total adult abundance Returns of small (1SW), large (MSW), and 2SW salmon (a subset of large) to each region were originally estimated by the methods and variables developed by Rago et al. (1993) and reported by ICES (1993). Further details are provided in the Stock Annex (Annex 6). The returns for individual river systems and management areas for both sea age groups were derived from a variety of methods. These methods included counts of salmon at monitoring facilities, population estimates from mark–recapture studies,

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and applying angling and commercial catch statistics, angling exploitation rates, and measurements of freshwater habitat. The 2SW component of the large returns was determined using the sea age composition of one or more indicator stocks. Returns are the number of salmon that returned to the geographic region, including fish caught by homewater commercial fisheries, except in the case of the Newfound- land and Labrador regions where returns do not include landings in commercial and food fisheries. This avoided double counting fish because commercial catches in New- foundland and Labrador and food fisheries in Labrador were added to the sum of regional returns to create the pre-fishery abundance estimates (PFA) of North American salmon. Total returns of salmon to USA rivers are the sum of trap catches and red-based estimates. Data from previous years were updated and corrections were made to data inputs when required (e.g. 2016 data were finalised and 2017 data are considered to be preliminary). Since 2002, Labrador regional estimates are generated from data collected at four counting facilities, one in SFA 1 and three in SFA 2 (Figure 4.1.2.1, Figure 4.3.2.1). The current method to estimate Labrador returns assumes that the total returns to the northern area are represented by returns at the single monitoring facility in SFA 1 and returns in the southerly areas (SFA 2 and 14b) are represented by returns at the three monitoring facilities in SFA 2. The production area (km2) in SFA 1 is approximately equal to the production area in SFA 2 and 14b. The uncertainty in the estimates of returns and spawners has been relatively high compared with other regions in recent years (coefficient of variation approximately 20–30% in recent years). The Working Group recommends that additional monitoring be considered in Labra- dor to estimate stock status for that region. Additionally, efforts should be undertaken to evaluate the utility of other available data sources (e.g. Indigenous and recreational catches and effort) to describe stock status in Labrador. Estimates of small, large and 2SW salmon returns to the six geographic areas and overall for NAC are reported in Tables 4.3.2.1 to 4.3.2.3 and are shown in Figures 4.3.2.2 to 4.3.2.4.

Small salmon returns • The total estimate of small salmon returns to North America in 2017 (370 000) was 19% lower than the estimated returns in 2016 (457 900), and the 2017 estimate ranks 31st (descending rank) out of the 48 year time-series. • Small salmon returns decreased in 2017 from the previous year in four (Lab- rador, Newfoundland, Québec, Gulf) of the six geographical regions, and increased in Scotia-Fundy and the USA. • Small salmon returns in 2017 were the third lowest on record for Gulf (22 720), and the fifth lowest on record for Scotia-Fundy (3914). • Small salmon returns to Labrador (163 100) and Newfoundland (155 200) combined represented 86% of the total small salmon returns to North Amer- ica (370 000) in 2017.

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Large salmon returns • The total estimate of large salmon returns to North America in 2017 (161 500) was 7% lower than the estimate for 2016 (173 900), and the 2017 estimate ranks 22nd (descending rank) out of the 48 year time-series. • Large salmon returns decreased from the previous year in four (Newfound- land, Québec, Gulf, and Scotia-Fundy) of the six geographical regions in 2017, and increased in Labrador and the USA. • Large salmon returns in 2017 were the third lowest on record for Scotia- Fundy (1196), and the fourth lowest on record for Gulf (27 090), whereas large salmon returns to Labrador (76 970) in 2017 were the second highest on record. • Large salmon returns to Labrador (76 970), Québec (37 940), and Gulf (27 090) combined represented 88% of the total large salmon returns to North America (161 500) in 2017.

2SW salmon returns • The total estimate of 2SW salmon returns to North America in 2017 (101 350) was 6% lower than the estimate for 2016 (107 300), and the 2017 estimate ranks 30th (descending rank) out of the 48 year time-series; • 2SW salmon returns decreased from the previous year in four (Newfound- land, Québec, Gulf, and Scotia-Fundy) of the six geographical regions in 2017, and increased in Labrador and the USA. • 2SW salmon returns in 2017 were among the lowest values on record for Newfoundland (2658, 8th lowest value on record), Gulf (19 305, 8th lowest value on record), Scotia-Fundy (1138, 5th lowest value on record), and USA (663, 7th lowest value on record), whereas 2SW salmon returns to Labrador (49 870) in 2017 were the second highest on record. • 2SW salmon returns to Labrador (49 870), Québec (27 690), and Gulf (19 305) combined represented 96% of 2SW salmon returns to North America in 2017. There are few 2SW salmon returns to Newfoundland (2658), as the majority of the large salmon returns to that region comprised previous spawning 1SW salmon.

4.3.3 Estimates of spawning escapements Updated estimates for small, large and 2SW salmon spawners (1971 to 2017) were derived for the six geographic regions (Tables 4.3.3.1 to 4.3.3.3). A comparison between the numbers of returns and spawners for small and large salmon is presented in Fig- ures 4.3.2.2 and 4.3.2.3. A comparison between the numbers of 2SW returns, spawners, CLs, and management objectives (Scotia-Fundy and USA) is presented in Figure 4.3.2.4.

Small salmon spawners • The total estimate of small salmon spawners in 2017 for North America (340 600) was 18% lower than 2016, and the 2017 estimate ranks 27th (descending rank) out of the 48 year time-series. • Estimates of small salmon spawners decreased in four (Labrador, New- foundland, Québec, and Gulf) of the six geographical regions in 2017, and increased in Scotia-Fundy and the USA.

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• Small salmon spawners in 2017 were the fifth lowest on record for Scotia- Fundy (3898), and the sixth lowest on record for Gulf (21 440). • Small salmon spawners for Labrador (161 300) and Newfoundland (135 000) combined represented 87% of the total small salmon spawners estimated for North America in 2017.

Large salmon spawners • The total estimate of large salmon spawners in North America for 2017 (155 500) decreased by 6% from 2016 (166 100), and the 2017 estimate ranks seventh (descending rank) out of the 48 year time-series. • Estimates of large salmon spawners decreased in three (Newfoundland, Gulf, and Scotia-Fundy) of the six geographical regions in 2017, was very similar to the 2016 estimate for Québec, and increased in Labrador and the USA. • Large salmon spawners in 2017 were the third lowest on record for Scotia- Fundy (1171), whereas the large salmon spawner estimate for Labrador (76 720) was the second highest on record. • Large salmon spawners for Labrador (76 720), Québec (32 730), and Gulf (26 365) regions combined represented 87% of the total large salmon spawners in North America in 2017.

2SW salmon spawners • The total estimate of 2SW salmon spawners in North America for 2017 (97 400) decreased by 5% from 2016 (102 400), and was lower than the combined 2SW CL for NAC (152 548). The 2017 estimate of 2SW salmon spawners ranks 12th (descending rank) out of the 48 year time-series. • Estimates of 2SW salmon spawners decreased in three (Newfoundland, Gulf and Scotia-Fundy) of the six geographical regions in 2017, was very similar to the 2016 estimate for Québec, and increased in Labrador and the USA. • Estimates of 2SW salmon spawners in 2017 were the fifth lowest on record for Scotia-Fundy (1119), and the eighth lowest on record for Newfoundland (2604), whereas the estimate of 2SW salmon spawners for Labrador (49 700) was the second highest on record. • Estimates (median) of 2SW salmon spawners exceeded region specific 2SW CLs for one (Labrador) of the six geographical regions in 2017. 2SW CLs were not met for Newfoundland, Québec, Gulf, Scotia-Fundy, or the USA with spawners relative to CLs ranging from 5% (Scotia-Fundy and USA) to 81% (Québec) in 2017. • Labrador has met or exceeded the regional 2SW CL six times during the 48 year time-series and these all occurred within the last seven years. The 2SW CL for Newfoundland has been met or exceeded in four of the last ten years, the 2SW CL for Gulf has been met or exceeded in one of the last ten years, and 2SW CLs have not been met for Québec, Scotia-Fundy or USA in any of the last ten years. • The 2SW management objectives for Scotia-Fundy (10 976) and USA (4549) were not met in 2017 and have not been met since 1991 (Scotia-Fundy), and 1990 (USA). For USA, 2SW returns are assessed relative to the management

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objective as adult stocking programmes for restoration efforts contribute to the number of spawners.

4.3.4 Egg depositions in 2017 Egg depositions by all sea ages combined in 2017 exceeded or equalled the river-specific CLs in 42 of the 84 assessed rivers (50%) and were less than 50% of CLs in 22 rivers (26%) (Figure 4.3.4.1). Large deficiencies in egg depositions (≤10% CLs) were noted in multiple Scotia-Fundy and USA areas. CLs were exceeded in one of four (25%) assessed rivers in Labrador, six of fifteen rivers (40%) in Newfoundland, 32 of 36 rivers (89%) in Québec, and three of six rivers (50%) in Gulf. None of the seven assessed rivers in Scotia-Fundy met CLs and, with the exception of Middle River and North River, all were below 50% of CLs. Large deficiencies in egg depositions were noted in the Southern Upland (SFA 21) and Outer Bay of Fundy (SFA 23) regions of Scotia-Fundy where assessed rivers were less than 8% of CLs. With the exception of three rivers in eastern Cape Breton (SFA 19) where only catch and release fishing was permitted, salmon fisheries were closed on all other rivers within Scotia- Fundy. Large deficiencies in egg depositions were noted in the USA. All eight assessed rivers were below 9% of their CLs. All anadromous Atlantic salmon fisheries in the USA region are closed. The time-series of attained CLs for assessed rivers is presented in Table 4.3.4.1 and Figure 4.3.4.2. The time-series includes all assessed small rivers on Prince Edward Is- land (SFA 17) individually (DFO, 2017b) and an additional eight partially assessed rivers in the USA. In Canada, CLs were first established in 1991 for 74 rivers. Since then the number of rivers with defined CLs increased to 266 in 1997 and to 476 since 2014. The number of rivers assessed annually has ranged from 61 to 91 and the annual percentages of these rivers achieving CL has ranged from 26% to 67% (62% in 2017) with no temporal trend. Conservation limits have been established for 33 river stocks in the USA since 1995. Sixteen of these are assessed against CL attainment annually with none meeting CLs to date.

4.3.5 Marine survival (return rates) In 2017, return rate estimates were available from nine wild and two hatchery populations from rivers distributed among Newfoundland, Québec, Scotia-Fundy, and USA (Tables 4.3.5.1 to 4.3.5.4). Return rates for wild small salmon declined for monitored rivers in Québec (1SW, p <0.05) over the time period, whereas there was no statistically significant trend for populations in Newfoundland and Scotia-Fundy (Figure 4.3.5.1). Although significant declines were not evident in the analysis for Scotia-Fundy, small salmon return rates have been below long-term averages in recent years. Overall regional return rates have improved since the low value from 2012. After a decline in wild 2SW return rates for Scotia-Fundy since the 2010 smolt year, return rates in 2017 (2015 smolt year) improved and are comparable to pre-2010 values (Figure 4.3.5.1). Québec also did not show a statistically significant decline for 2SW (p = 0.05) and was around the long-term average and up from the low 2012 value (Figure 4.3.5.1).

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In 2017, the return rate of small salmon of hatchery origin to the Penobscot River (USA) was similar to 2016 and was above the average of 1991 to present. The return rate of small hatchery salmon to the Saint John River (Scotia-Fundy, SFA 23) increased from 2016 and was the highest value since 2012 (Table 4.3.5.3; Figure 4.3.5.2). Hatchery origin 2SW return rates in 2017 decreased from 2016 for the Saint John (Scotia-Fundy) and were below the long-term average (Table 4.3.5.4; Figure 4.3.5.2). On the Penobscot River the hatchery origin 2SW return rate in 2017 was the increased from 2016 and was the highest value since 2009 (Table 4.3.5.4; Figure 4.3.5.2). Regional least squared (or marginal mean) average annual return rates were calculated to balance for variation in the annual number of contributing experimental groups through application of a GLM (generalised linear model) with survival related to smolt year and river with a quasi-Poisson distribution (log-link function) (Figures 4.3.5.1 and 4.3.5.2). Analyses of time-series of regional return rates of wild smolts to small salmon and 2SW adults by area for the period of 1970 to 2017 (Tables 4.3.5.1 to 4.3.5.4; Figures 4.3.5.1 and 4.3.5.2) indicate the following: • Return rates of wild populations exceed those of hatchery populations; • Small salmon return rates to rivers in Newfoundland vary annually and without trend over the period 1970 to 2017; • Small salmon return rates for Newfoundland populations in 2017 were greater than those for other populations in eastern North America; • Small salmon (1SW) return rates of wild smolts to Québec vary annually and have declined over the period 1983/1984 to 2016/2017; • Small salmon and 2SW return rates of wild smolts to the Scotia-Fundy vary annually and without a statistically significant trend over the period mid- 1990s to 2017. However, individual river trends for Scotia-Fundy may vary from the overall trend (e.g. declines in return rates to Southern Upland index rivers, DFO 2013); • In Scotia-Fundy and USA, hatchery smolt return rates to 2SW salmon have decreased over the period 1970 to 2017. 1SW return rates for Scotia-Fundy hatchery stocks have also declined for the period, while they have been stable for USA.

4.3.6 Pre-fisheries abundance

4.3.6.1 North American run–reconstruction model The run-reconstruction model developed by Rago et al. (1993) and described in previous Working Group reports (ICES, 2008; 2009) and in the primary literature (Chaput et al., 2005) was used to estimate returns and spawners by size (small salmon, large salmon) and sea age group (2SW salmon) to the six geographic regions of NAC. The input data were similar in structure to the data used previously by the Working Group (ICES, 2012; Stock Annex). Estimates of returns and spawners to regions were provided for the time-series to 2017. The full set of data inputs are included in the Stock Annex (Annex 6) and the summary output tables of returns and spawners by sea age or size group are provided in Tables 4.3.2.1 to 4.3.2.3 and 4.3.3.1 to 4.3.3.2.

4.3.6.2 Non-maturing 1SW salmon The non-maturing component of 1SW salmon, destined to be 2SW returns (excluding 3SW and previous spawners) is represented by the pre-fishery abundance estimator

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for year i designated as PFANAC1SW. This annual pre-fishery abundance is the estimated number of salmon in the North Atlantic on August 1st of the second summer at sea. As the pre-fishery abundance estimates for potential 2SW salmon requires estimates of returns to rivers, the most recent year for which an estimate of PFA is available is 2016. This is because pre-fishery abundance estimates for 2017 require 2SW returns to rivers in North America in 2018. The PFA estimates accounting for returns to rivers, fisheries at sea in North America, fisheries at West Greenland, and corrected for natural mortality are shown in Figure 4.3.6.1 and Table 4.3.6.1. The median of the estimates of non-maturing 1SW salmon in 2016 was 155 800 salmon (90% C.I. range 117 800 to 198 100). This value is 10% lower than the previous year (172 400) and 3% higher than the previous five year average (151 560). The estimated non-maturing 1SW salmon in 2016 ranks 29th (descending rank) out of the 46 year time-series.

4.3.6.3 Maturing 1SW salmon Maturing 1SW salmon are in some areas (particularly Newfoundland) a major component of salmon stocks, and their abundance when combined with that of the 2SW age group provides an index of the majority of an entire smolt cohort. The reconstructed distribution of the PFA of the 1SW maturing cohort of North Amer- ican origin is shown in Figure 4.3.6.1 and Table 4.3.6.1. The estimated PFA of the maturing component in 2017 was 389 650 fish, 19% lower than the previous year and 24% lower than the previous five year mean (512 680). Maximum abundance of the maturing cohort was estimated at over 911 000 fish in 1981 and the recent estimate ranks 42nd (descending rank) out of the 47 year time-series.

4.3.6.4 Total 1SW recruits (maturing and non-maturing) The pre-fishery abundance of 1SW maturing salmon and 1SW non-maturing salmon from North America from 1971–2016 (2017 PFA requires 2SW returns in 2018) were summed to give total recruits of 1SW salmon (Figure 4.3.6.1; Table 4.3.6.1). The PFA of the 1SW cohort, estimated for 2016, was 638 250 fish, 23% lower than the 2015 PFA estimate (827 750), and 8% lower than the previous five year mean (696 930). The 2016 PFA estimate ranks 34th (descending rank) out of the 46 year time-series. The abundance of the 1SW cohort has declined by 63% over the time-series from a peak of 1 704 000 fish in 1975.

4.3.7 Summary on status of stocks In 2017, the median estimates of returns to rivers and of spawners were below the CLs for 2SW salmon for all regions of NAC except Labrador, and are therefore suffering reduced reproductive capacity. The medians of the 2SW returns and spawners for Lab- rador exceeded the CL, but the 5th percentiles were below the CL and for this region the stock is at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity (Figure 4.3.2.4, Figure 4.3.7.1). The percentages of CLs attained from 2SW spawners for the other three more northern regions of NAC were 65% for Newfoundland, 81% for Québec, and 62% for Gulf. For 2SW salmon returns to rivers prior to in-river exploitation, the percentages of CL attained were 66% for Newfoundland, 94% for Québec, and 63% for Gulf. For the two more southern areas of NAC, Scotia-Fundy and USA, the 2SW spawners in 2017 were each 5% of the 2SW CLs, whereas the 2SW returns were 5% for Scotia-Fundy and 2% for USA. Salmon abundance to these southern areas represents 10% and 15% of the management objectives for Scotia-Fundy (10 976) and USA (4549), respectively.

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For USA, 2SW returns are assessed relative to the management objective as adult stocking programmes for restoration efforts contribute to the number of spawners. The rank of the estimated returns in the 1971 to 2017 time-series and the proportions of the 2SW CLs achieved in 2017 for six regions in North America are shown below:

MEDIAN ESTIMATE OF 2017 2SW SPAWNERS AS RANK OF 2017 RETURNS RANK OF 2017 RETURNS PERCENTAGE OF IN 1971 TO 2017, IN 2008 TO 2017 CONSERVATION LIMIT (% OF (47=LOWEST) (10=LOWEST) MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE)

REGION 1SW 2SW 1SW 2SW (%)

Labrador 11 2 7 2 143 Newfoundland 37 40 10 9 65 Québec 32 32 6 4 81 Gulf 45 40 8 8 62 Scotia-Fundy 43 43 6 7 5 (10) USA 22 41 4 7 2 (15)

Estimates of PFA indicate continued low abundance of North American adult salmon. The total population of 1SW and 2SW Atlantic salmon in the Northwest Atlantic has shown an overall declining trend since the 1970s with a period of persistent low abundance since the early 1990s. During 1993 to 2016, the total population of 1SW and 2SW Atlantic salmon was about 610 000 fish, about half of the average abundance during 1971 to 1992. The maturing 1SW salmon in 2017 decreased by 19% relative to 2016 and was the 6th lowest estimate on record. Overall, 86% of 1SW salmon returns to NAC in 2017 (Figure 4.3.6.1) were from two (Labrador and Newfoundland) regions. The non- maturing 1SW PFA for 2016 decreased by 10% from 2015, and ranked 29th (descending rank) out of the 46 year time-series. Overall, 96% of 2SW salmon returns to NAC were from three regions in 2017 (Labrador, Québec and Gulf). The estimates of 1SW salmon returns in 2017 decreased from 2016 in all regions (range 13% to 27%) with the exception of Scotia-Fundy and USA, which increased by 53 and 56%, respectively. 1SW salmon returns remained among the lowest returns on record for Scotia-Fundy (fifth lowest on record) and Gulf (third lowest on record). In New- foundland the estimated 1SW salmon returns were the lowest in the last ten years. Re- turns to rivers (after commercial fisheries in Newfoundland and Labrador) of 1SW salmon have generally increased over the time-series for the NAC, mainly as a result of the commercial fishery closures in 1992 and subsequently in 1998. Increased returns in recent years were estimated for Labrador and Newfoundland, which have contributed to this increasing trend for NAC. Important variations in annual abundances continue to be observed, such as the low returns of 2009, 2013, and 2017 and the high returns of 2011 and 2015 (Figure 4.3.2.2). The abundances of large salmon (multi-sea-winter salmon including maiden and repeat spawners) returns in 2017 decreased from 2016 in four regions (Newfoundland, Québec, Gulf, and Scotia-Fundy; range 2% to 28%), whereas, the returns of large salmon increased in the other two regions (Labrador and USA by 7 and 73%, respectively). 2SW salmon returns in 2017 also decreased from 2016 in the same four regions as the large salmon (range 2% to 29%), and increased in the same two regions as large

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salmon returns (increased by 7% for Labrador and 70% for USA). The returns of 2SW salmon to Labrador were the second highest in the time-series for that region, whereas the returns of 2SW salmon to Newfoundland, Gulf, Scotia-Fundy and USA were among the lowest in the time-series for those regions (5th lowest on record for Scotia- Fundy, 7th lowest on record for USA, and 8th lowest on record for both Newfoundland and Gulf). Egg depositions by all sea ages combined in 2017 exceeded or equalled the river-specific CLs in 42 of the 84 assessed rivers (50%) and were less than 50% of CLs in 22 rivers (26%) (Figure 4.3.4.1). Large deficiencies in egg depositions (≤10% CLs) were noted in multiple Scotia-Fundy and USA areas. Despite major changes in fisheries, returns to the southern regions of NAC (Scotia- Fundy and USA) remain near historical lows and many populations are currently at risk of extirpation. All salmon stocks within the USA and the Scotia-Fundy regions have been or are being considered for listing under country specific species at risk legislation. Recovery Potential Assessments for the three Designatable Units of salmon in Scotia-Fundy as well as for one Designatable Unit in Québec and one in Newfoundland occurred in 2012 and 2013 to inform the requirements under the Species at Risk Act listing process in Canada (ICES, 2014). Regional return estimates in 2017 are reflected in the overall 2017 return estimates for NAC, as Labrador and Newfoundland collectively comprise 86% of the small salmon returns, and Labrador, Québec, and Gulf collectively comprise 88% of the large salmon returns and 96% of the 2SW salmon returns to NAC. Overall, the estimated PFA of 1SW non-maturing salmon ranked 29th (descending rank) of the 46-year time-series and the estimated PFA of 1SW maturing salmon ranked 42nd (descending rank) of the 47-year time-series. The continued low abundance of salmon stocks across North America, despite significant fishery reductions, strengthens the conclusions that factors acting on survival in the first and second years at sea, at both local and broad ocean scales are constraining abundance of Atlantic salmon. Declines in smolt production in some rivers of eastern Canada may also be contributing to lower adult abundance.

4.4 NASCO has asked ICES to provide catch options or alternative management advice for 2018–2021 with an assessment of risks relative to the objective of exceeding stock conservation limits, or predefined NASCO Management Objectives, and advise on the implications of these options for stock rebuilding As the predicted number of 2SW salmon returning to North America in 2018 to 2021 is substantially lower than the 2SW CL there are no catch options for the composite stock in the North American fisheries. Where river-specific spawning requirements are being achieved, there are no biological reasons to restrict the harvest. Wild salmon populations are now critically low in the southern regions (Scotia-Fundy, USA) of North America and the remnant populations require alternative conservation actions including habitat restoration, captive rearing strategies, and very restrictive fisheries regulation in some areas in order to maintain the genetic integrity of the stocks and improve their chances of persistence.

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Advice regarding management of this stock complex in the fishery at West Greenland is provided in Section 5.

4.4.1 Relevant factors to be considered in management The management for all fisheries should be based upon assessments of the status of individual stocks. Fisheries on mixed-stocks, particularly in coastal waters or on the high seas, pose particular difficulties for management as they target all stocks present, whether or not they are meeting their individual CLs. Conservation would be best achieved if fisheries target stocks that have been shown to be meeting CLs. Fisheries in estuaries and especially rivers are more likely to meet this requirement. The salmon caught in the Labrador subsistence fisheries are predominantly (>95%) from rivers in Labrador although there is occasional attribution of salmon in the sampled catches from other areas, including the USA. The salmon caught in the Saint Pierre & Miquelon mixed-stock fisheries originate in all areas of North America. All sea age groups, including previous spawners, contribute to the fisheries in varying proportions.

4.4.2 Updated forecast of 2SW maturing fish for 2018 Catch options are only provided for the non‐maturing 1SW and maturing 2SW components as the maturing 1SW component is not fished outside homewaters, and in the absence of significant marine interceptory fisheries, is managed in homewaters. It is possible to provide catch options for the North American Commission area for four years. The updated forecast for 2018 for 2SW maturing fish is based on an up‐ dated forecast of the 2017 pre‐fishery abundance and accounting for fish, which were already removed from the cohort by fisheries in Greenland and Labrador as 1SW non‐ maturing fish in 2017. The updated forecast of the 2017 pre‐fishery abundance has a PFA mid‐point of 173 400 fish, 19% below the forecast PFA value provided in the 2015 assessment (213 000) (ICES, 2015). The surviving 2SW salmon from the 2017 pre‐fishery abundance of non-maturing 1SW will be available in 2018.

4.4.2.1 Catch options for 2018 fisheries on 2SW maturing salmon As the 5th percentiles of the predicted numbers of 2SW salmon returning to North America in 2018 are lower than the 2SW management objectives for all areas and overall for North America, there are no catch options on 2SW salmon in mixed-stock fisheries in North America in 2018 that would allow the attainment of region-specific management objectives (Table 4.4.2.1). A limited catch option may be available on individual rivers where spawning requirements are being achieved; in these circumstances, there are no biological reasons to further restrict the harvest.

4.4.3 Pre-fishery abundance of 2SW salmon for 2018–2020

4.4.3.1 Forecast models for pre-fishery abundance ICES (2009; 2012; 2015) developed estimates of the pre-fishery abundance for the non‐ maturing 1SW salmon (PFA) using a Bayesian framework that incorporates the estimates of lagged spawners and works through the fisheries at sea to determine the corresponding returns of 2SW salmon, conditioned by fisheries removals and natural mortality at sea. This model considered regionally‐disaggregated lagged spawners and

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returns of 2SW salmon for the six regions of North America. Dataseries were finalized for 2017 and updated for past years in some regions. Lagged spawners overall for NAC have generally been less than half the 2SW conservation limit for NAC (Figure 4.4.3.1.1). The lowest lagged spawner values were estimated during the 2003 to 2013 PFA years, with a slight improvement in abundance for the 2015 to 2017 PFA years resulting from the higher 2SW spawner values in Gulf and Québec in the 2011 spawning year. The improvements in 2SW spawners in Labrador over the past four years have not yet been accounted in the lagged spawners, due to the older smolt ages in Labrador; improved lagged spawners for Labrador will occur for PFA years 2018 onward. North American and region‐specific PFA and productivity value inferences are provided by the model (Figures 4.4.3.1.2 to 4.4.3.1.6). The productivity coefficient (log of PFA to LS) was highest in most regions prior to 1990 (PFA year) and decreased in all regions to reach the lowest values during and after the 1990s (Figure 4.4.3.1.2). Productivity coefficient values near zero or negative (negative value means the PFA estimate was less than the lagged spawners) were estimated for Labrador and Newfoundland in the early 2000s, for Gulf during 1998 to 2000, and for Scotia-Fundy and the USA during the 1990s and again since the 2010 PFA year. The most recent year values (2016 PFA year) are positive for Labrador and Newfound- land, just above zero for Québec and Gulf, and negative for Scotia-Fundy and the USA (Figures 4.4.3.1.2, 4.4.3.1.3). The productivity coefficient for NAC overall was negative in 2001 and improved from that point onward, but at values less than half those estimated between 1978 and 1988 PFA years; it returned to near zero values in 2013 (Fig- ures 4.4.3.1.3, 4.4.3.1.4). The regional contributions to the overall NAC PFA were relatively stable over the period 1980 to 2008 with over 70% of total PFA contributed by Québec and Gulf regions, followed by Labrador with over 20% of the overall PFA (Figure 4.4.3.1.5, 4.4.3.1.6). The Scotia-Fundy region contributed as much as 20% of the PFA for the 1984 PFA year but through the 2000s, has represented less than 5% of the total PFA and the USA has never represented more than a few percent of the total (Figure 4.4.3.1.6). For the PFA years 2014 to 2016, there has been an increasing proportion of the estimated PFA originating in Labrador and decreases in Québec, and Gulf; 46% to 51%, 24% to 27%, and 19% to 24%, respectively (Figure 4.4.3.1.6). Genetic stock identification results of samples from the fishery at West Greenland in 2015 and 2016 showed 21% to 23% Labrador origin salmon, about 40% Québec origin salmon, and 23% to 24% Gulf origin salmon (see Section 5.9). The overall productivity estimate for NAC in the most recent year PFA (2016) decreased to near zero and substantially below the levels observed in the late 1990s to early 2000s (Figure 4.4.3.1.3). By region, the most recent year value for the productivity was among the highest values since 1997 for Labrador, higher than the early 2000s for Newfoundland but less than the values of the recent two decades of the series, and among the lowest values of the time-series for Québec, Gulf, Scotia-Fundy and USA (Figure 4.4.3.1.3). The productivity parameters for Scotia-Fundy and USA are negative (on the log scale) indicating that the PFA is less than the Lagged Spawner abundance that produced them and the salmon abundances in these regions are expected to decline further from current levels of very low abundance. For 2018 to 2020 PFA years, the 5th percentiles of the posterior distributions of the regional PFAs are all less than the management objective reserves. The 25th percentiles

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are also below the objectives, with the exception of Labrador in 2018 to 2020 (Figure 4.4.3.1.5; Table 4.4.3.1). For NAC overall, the predicted values (5th and 25th percentiles) for 2018 to 2020 are all substantially below the 2SW CL reserve (Table 4.4.3.1). The forecasts have very high uncertainty and the uncertainties increase as the forecasts move farther forward in time.

4.4.3.2 Catch options for non-maturing 1SW salmon Catch options on non-maturing 1SW salmon in North America in 2018 to 2020 and on surviving 2SW salmon in 2019 to 2021 are presented relative to the probability that the region specific PFA estimates will meet or exceed the 2SW management objectives for the regions, in the absence of any mixed-stock fisheries exploitation at sea. The probabilities that the returns of 2SW salmon to the six regions of NAC will meet or exceed the 2SW objectives for the six regions in NAC, and simultaneously for all regions, in the absence of any fishing on the age group for the 2SW salmon return years 2018 to 2021 are provided in Table 4.4.3.1. The management objectives, corrected to the PFA time period for eleven months of natural mortality of 0.03 per month, are provided in Table 4.4.3.2, together with the 5th and 25th percentile and median values of the predicted PFA abundances by region. The 5th percentiles are below the management objectives for all six regions of North America for all years 2018 to 2020. There are, therefore, no mixed-stock fishery options on 1SW non-maturing salmon in 2018 to 2020 or on 2SW salmon in 2018 to 2021 which would provide a greater than 95% chance of meeting the individual management objectives; the probability of simultaneous attainment in any year is zero.

4.4.4 Comparison with previous assessment and advice In 2015, the ICES Working Group provided forecasts of the regional productivity parameters and the regional specific PFAs based on the regional lagged spawners. The productivity parameter used in the forecast is the value derived from the last year in the model, with increasing uncertainty for each year of the forecast. In the 2015 assessment, the productivity parameter for the 2013 PFA had decreased from previous years in all the regions except Labrador resulting from greatly reduced returns of 2SW salmon in 2014 (ICES, 2015). The returns of 2SW salmon in 2015 to 2017 were higher than those of 2014 in essentially all regions (Figure 4.3.2.3). As a result, the forecast value of the productivity parameter was lower than estimated in 2014 to 2016 for the Labrador region, resulting in an estimated regional PFA value for those three years which were lower than forecast. In all other regions, the forecasted productivity parameter was higher than the estimated values with the result that the forecast regional PFA values were lower or higher than the estimated values for PFA years 2014 to 2016. Due to the large uncertainty associated with the forecast values, the estimated PFA values for 2014 to 2016 were within the 95% confidence intervals of the forecast values. The previous advice provided by ICES (2015) indicated that there were no mixed-stock fishery catch options on the 1SW non-maturing salmon component for the 2015 to 2017 PFA years and this year’s assessment confirms that advice.

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4.5 NASCO has asked ICES to update the Framework of Indicators used to identify any significant change in the previously provided multi-annual management advice In 2007, ICES developed and presented to NASCO a framework (Framework of Indi- cators) to be used in interim years to determine if there is an expectation that the previously provided multiyear management advice for the Greenland fishery is likely to change in subsequent years (ICES, 2007). The Framework of Indicators was last updated in 2015 (ICES, 2015), and NASCO has asked ICES to update this framework in 2017. Details on the updated Framework of Indicators used to identify significant changes in previously provided multiannual management advice are provided in Section 5.9.

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Table 4.1.2.1. The number of professional and recreational gillnet licences issued at Saint Pierre & Miquelon and reported landings for the period 1990 to 2017. The data for 2017 are provisional.

NUMBER OF LICENCES REPORTED LANDINGS (T)

Year Professional Recreational Professional Recreational Total 1990 1.146 0.734 1.880 1991 0.632 0.530 1.162 1992 1.295 1.024 2.319 1993 1.902 1.041 2.943 1994 2.633 0.790 3.423 1995 12 42 0.392 0.445 0.837 1996 12 42 0.951 0.617 1.568 1997 6 36 0.762 0.729 1.491 1998 9 42 1.039 1.268 2.307 1999 7 40 1.182 1.140 2.322 2000 8 35 1.134 1.133 2.267 2001 10 42 1.544 0.611 2.155 2002 12 42 1.223 0.729 1.952 2003 12 42 1.620 1.272 2.892 2004 13 42 1.499 1.285 2.784 2005 14 52 2.243 1.044 3.287 2006 13 52 1.730 1.825 3.555 2007 13 53 0.970 1.062 2.032 2008 9 55 1.60 1.85 3.45 2009 8 50 1.87 1.60 3.46 2010 9 57 1.00 1.78 2.78 2011 9 58 1.76 1.99 3.76 2012 9 60 0.28 1.17 1.45 2013 9 64 2.29 3.01 5.30 2014 12 70 2.25 1.56 3.81 2015 8 70 1.21 2.30 3.51 2016 8 70 0.98 3.75 4.73 2017 8 80 0.59 2.22 2.82

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Table 4.1.3.1. Harvests (by weight), and the percent large by weight and by number in the Indige- nous Peoples’ Food, Social, and Ceremonial (FSC) fisheries in Canada, 1990 to 2017. The data for 2017 are provisional.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ FSC FISHERIES

% large Year Harvest (t) by weight by number 1990 31.9 78 1991 29.1 87 1992 34.2 83 1993 42.6 83 1994 41.7 83 58 1995 32.8 82 56 1996 47.9 87 65 1997 39.4 91 74 1998 47.9 83 63 1999 45.9 73 49 2000 45.7 68 41 2001 42.1 72 47 2002 46.3 68 43 2003 44.3 72 49 2004 60.8 66 44 2005 56.7 57 34 2006 61.4 61 39 2007 48.0 62 40 2008 62.5 66 43 2009 51.2 65 45 2010 59.1 59 38 2011 70.4 63 41 2012 59.6 62 40

2013 64.0 71 51

2014 52.9 61 41

2015 62.9 67 46

2016 64.0 72 50

2017 61.3 72 51

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Table 4.1.3.2. Harvests (by weight), and the percent large by weight and number in the Resident Food Fishery in Labrador, Canada, for the period 2000 to 2017. The data for 2017 are provisional.

LABRADOR RESIDENT FOOD FISHERY

% Large Year Harvest (t) by weight by number 2000 3.5 30 18 2001 4.6 33 23 2002 6.2 27 15 2003 6.7 32 21 2004 2.2 40 26 2005 2.7 32 20 2006 2.6 39 27 2007 1.7 23 13 2008 2.3 46 25 2009 2.9 42 28 2010 2.3 37 25 2011 2.1 51 37 2012 1.7 49 32

2013 2.1 65 51

2014 1.6 46 31

2015 2.0 54 38

2016 1.6 56 38

2017 1.6 57 38

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Table 4.1.3.3. Harvests of small and large salmon by number, and the percent large by number, in the recreational fisheries of Canada for the period 1974 to 2017. The data for 2017 are provisional.

YEAR SMALL LARGE BOTH SIZE GROUPS % LARGE

1974 53 887 31 720 85 607 37 1975 50 463 22 714 73 177 31 1976 66 478 27 686 94 164 29 1977 61 727 45 495 107 222 42 1978 45 240 28 138 73 378 38 1979 60 105 13 826 73 931 19 1980 67 314 36 943 104 257 35 1981 84 177 24 204 108 381 22 1982 72 893 24 640 97 533 25 1983 53 385 15 950 69 335 23 1984 66 676 9 982 76 658 13 1985 72 389 10 084 82 473 12 1986 94 046 11 797 105 843 11 1987 66 475 10 069 76 544 13 1988 91 897 13 295 105 192 13 1989 65 466 11 196 76 662 15 1990 74 541 12 788 87 329 15 1991 46 410 11 219 57 629 19 1992 77 577 12 826 90 403 14 1993 68 282 9 919 78 201 13 1994 60 118 11 198 71 316 16 1995 46 273 8 295 54 568 15 1996 66 104 9 513 75 617 13 1997 42 891 6 756 49 647 14 1998 45 810 4 717 50 527 9 1999 43 667 4 811 48 478 10 2000 45 811 4 627 50 438 9 2001 43 353 5 571 48 924 11 2002 43 904 2 627 46 531 6 2003 38 367 4 694 43 061 11 2004 43 124 4 578 47 702 10 2005 33 922 4 132 38 054 11 2006 33 668 3 014 36 682 8 2007 26 279 3 499 29 778 12 2008 46 458 2 839 49 297 6 2009 32 944 3 373 36 317 9 2010 45 407 3 209 48 616 7 2011 49 931 4 141 54 072 8 2012 30 453 2 680 33 133 8 2013 31 404 3 472 34 876 10 2014 33 339 1 343 34 682 4 2015 37 642 1 971 39 613 5 2016 36 355 1 823 38 178 5 2017 23 101 1 886 24 987 8

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Table 4.1.3.4. Numbers of salmon caught and released in Eastern Canadian salmon angling fisheries, for the period 1984 to 2017. Blank cells indicate no data. Released fish in the kelt fishery of New Brunswick are not included in the totals for New Brunswick nor Canada. Totals for all years prior to 1997 are incomplete and are considered minimal estimates. Estimates for 2017 are preliminary; both preliminary and final figures are shown for 2016.

Newfoundland & Labrador Nova Scotia New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Québec CANADA

YEAR SMALL LARGE TOTAL SMALL LARGE TOTAL SMALL LARGE TOTAL SMALL LARGE TOTAL SMALL LARGE TOTAL SMALL LARGE TOTAL 1984 939 1,655 2,594 851 14,479 15,330 1,790 16,134 17,924 1985 315 315 1,323 6,346 7,669 3,963 17,815 21,778 67 5,286 24,476 29,762 1986 798 798 1,463 10,750 12,213 9,333 25,316 34,649 10,796 36,864 47,660 1987 410 410 1,311 6,339 7,650 10,597 20,295 30,892 11,908 27,044 38,952 1988 600 600 1,146 6,795 7,941 10,503 19,442 29,945 767 256 1,023 12,416 27,093 39,509 1989 183 183 1,562 6,960 8,522 8,518 22,127 30,645 10,080 29,270 39,350 1990 503 503 1,782 5,504 7,286 7,346 16,231 23,577 1,066 9,128 22,238 31,366 1991 336 336 908 5,482 6,390 3,501 10,650 14,151 1,103 187 1,290 5,512 16,655 22,167 1992 5,893 1,423 7,316 737 5,093 5,830 8,349 16,308 24,657 1,250 14,979 22,824 37,803 1993 18,196 1,731 19,927 1,076 3,998 5,074 7,276 12,526 19,802 26,548 18,255 44,803 1994 24,442 5,032 29,474 796 2,894 3,690 7,443 11,556 18,999 577 147 724 33,258 19,629 52,887 1995 26,273 5,166 31,439 979 2,861 3,840 4,260 5,220 9,480 209 139 348 922 922 31,721 14,308 46,029 1996 34,342 6,209 40,551 3,526 5,661 9,187 472 238 710 1,718 1,718 38,340 13,826 52,166 1997 25,316 4,720 30,036 713 3,363 4,076 4,870 8,874 13,744 210 118 328 182 1,643 1,825 31,291 18,718 50,009 1998 31,368 4,375 35,743 688 2,476 3,164 5,760 8,298 14,058 233 114 347 297 2,680 2,977 38,346 17,943 56,289 1999 24,567 4,153 28,720 562 2,186 2,748 5,631 8,281 13,912 192 157 349 298 2,693 2,991 31,250 17,470 48,720 2000 29,705 6,479 36,184 407 1,303 1,710 6,689 8,690 15,379 101 46 147 445 4,008 4,453 37,347 20,526 64,482 2001 22,348 5,184 27,532 527 1,199 1,726 6,166 11,252 17,418 202 103 305 809 4,674 5,483 30,052 22,412 59,387 2002 23,071 3,992 27,063 829 1,100 1,929 7,351 5,349 12,700 207 31 238 852 4,918 5,770 32,310 15,390 50,924 2003 21,379 4,965 26,344 626 2,106 2,732 5,375 7,981 13,356 240 123 363 1,238 7,015 8,253 28,858 22,190 53,645 2004 23,430 5,168 28,598 828 2,339 3,167 7,517 8,100 15,617 135 68 203 1,291 7,455 8,746 33,201 23,130 62,316 2005 33,129 6,598 39,727 933 2,617 3,550 2,695 5,584 8,279 83 83 166 1,116 6,445 7,561 37,956 21,327 63,005 2006 30,491 5,694 36,185 1,014 2,408 3,422 4,186 5,538 9,724 128 42 170 1,091 6,185 7,276 36,910 19,867 60,486 2007 17,719 4,607 22,326 896 1,520 2,416 2,963 7,040 10,003 63 41 104 951 5,392 6,343 22,592 18,600 41,192

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Newfoundland & Labrador Nova Scotia New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Québec CANADA

YEAR SMALL LARGE TOTAL SMALL LARGE TOTAL SMALL LARGE TOTAL SMALL LARGE TOTAL SMALL LARGE TOTAL SMALL LARGE TOTAL 2008 25,226 5,007 30,233 1,016 2,061 3,077 6,361 6,130 12,491 3 9 12 1,361 7,713 9,074 33,967 20,920 54,887 2009 26,681 4,272 30,953 670 2,665 3,335 2,387 8,174 10,561 6 25 31 1,091 6,180 7,271 30,835 21,316 52,151 2010 27,256 5,458 32,714 717 1,966 2,683 5,730 5,660 11,390 42 27 69 1,356 7,683 9,039 35,101 20,794 55,895 2011 26,240 8,119 34,359 1,157 4,320 5,477 6,537 12,466 19,003 46 46 92 3,100 9,327 12,427 37,080 34,278 71,358 2012 20,940 4,089 25,029 339 1,693 2,032 2,504 5,330 7,834 46 46 92 2,126 6,174 8,300 25,955 17,332 43,287 2013 19,962 6,770 26,732 480 2,657 3,137 2,646 8,049 10,695 12 23 35 2,238 7,793 10,031 25,338 25,292 50,630 2014 20,553 4,410 24,963 185 1,127 1,312 2,806 5,884 8,690 68 68 136 1,580 4,932 6,512 25,192 16,421 41,613 2015 24,861 6,943 31,804 548 1,260 1,808 11,552 7,489 19,041 68 68 136 3,078 9,573 12,651 40,107 25,333 65,440 2016(prelim) 26,954 10,348 37,302 318 1,655 1,973 7,130 7,958 15,088 68 68 136 3,852 11,239 15,091 38,322 31,268 69,590 2016(final) 26,145 10,206 36,351 362 1,550 1,912 7,130 7,958 15,088 68 68 136 3,905 11,533 15,438 37,610 31,315 68,925

2017 (prelim) 16,830 6,007 22,837 330 732 1,062 5,935 6,179 12,114 68 68 136 3,191 10,173 13,364 26,354 23,159 49,513

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Table 4.1.4.1. Reported harvests and losses expressed as 2SW salmon equivalents in North American salmon fisheries for the period 1972 to 2017. Only midpoints of the Monte Carlo simulated values are shown.

YEAR (I) MIXED-STOCKS CANADA – LOSSES FROM ALL SOURCES (TERMINAL FISHERIES, USA NORTH TERMI- GREEN- NW HARVEST ESTI- EXPLOI- NF-LAB % 1SW OF NF- NF-LAB SAINT- CATCH AND RELEASE MORTALITY, BYCATCH MORTALITY) IN YEAR I AMERI- NAL LAND TO- ATLAN- IN HOME- MATED TATION CAN TO- LOSSES TAL TIC TO- WATERS ABUN- RATES COMM / TOTAL LAB COMM / PIERRE LA- NEW- QUÉ- GULF SCO- TOTAL TAL AS % OF TAL AS % OF DANCE IN IN FOOD 2SW COMM FOOD AND MI- BRA- FOUND- BEC TIA - NA TO- TOTAL NORTH NORTH 1SW EQUIVA- / FOOD TOTAL QUELON DOR LAND FUNDY (YEAR I- LENTS 2SW (YEAR I) (YEAR I) TAL NW AT- AMERICA AMER- 1) (A) (YEAR I) (YEAR I) LANTIC (2SW) ICA (A) 1972 22045 0.13 144208 166253 0 425 595 27435 20210 5560 54225 345 220823 25 197848 418670 53 292700 0.75 1973 18853 0.08 205831 224684 0 1010 791 32590 15350 6210 55951 327 280962 20 148242 429204 65 363000 0.77 1974 23775 0.09 236012 259787 0 800 504 47735 18310 13010 80359 247 340393 24 186201 526594 65 449500 0.76 1975 23507 0.09 237662 261170 0 320 499 41100 14120 12480 68519 388 330077 21 154640 484717 68 416600 0.79 1976 35092 0.12 256683 291775 338 830 380 42060 16190 11140 70600 191 362903 20 194469 557372 65 431800 0.84 1977 26811 0.10 241350 268161 0 1290 791 42360 29030 13460 86931 1355 356447 25 112799 469246 76 473600 0.75 1978 27038 0.15 157406 184445 0 765 537 37220 20290 9358 68170 894 253509 27 142634 396143 64 317600 0.80 1979 13521 0.13 92095 105616 0 609 118 25320 6251 3849 36147 433 142196 26 103813 246008 58 172200 0.83 1980 20633 0.09 217283 237916 0 885 626 53860 25440 17350 98161 1533 337610 30 141844 479454 70 452100 0.75 1981 33795 0.14 201464 235260 0 520 402 44210 14585 12860 72577 1267 309103 24 121067 430170 72 365800 0.85 1982 33653 0.20 134504 168157 0 620 386 35130 20510 8934 65580 1413 235150 28 161111 396261 59 291200 0.81 1983 25275 0.18 111601 136876 338 428 405 34430 17270 12302 64835 386 202434 32 145870 348304 58 237400 0.85 1984 19086 0.19 82847 101933 338 510 158 19430 3605 3850 27553 675 130499 22 26845 157343 83 199400 0.65 1985 14360 0.15 78795 93156 338 294 32 22210 1105 5090 28731 645 122869 24 32452 155322 79 212300 0.58 1986 19614 0.16 104905 124519 281 467 45 27300 1165 2980 31957 606 157364 21 99140 256504 61 266200 0.59 1987 24828 0.16 132272 157099 225 635 6 27340 2070 1420 31471 299 189095 17 123655 312749 60 260000 0.73 1988 31615 0.28 81168 112783 225 710 40 27605 1165 1470 30990 248 144246 22 123655 267901 54 215000 0.67 1989 21923 0.21 81396 103319 225 461 4 23730 1225 360 25780 397 129721 20 85049 214770 60 195800 0.66 1990 19310 0.25 57387 76697 212 357 27 23060 1065 660 25169 696 102773 25 43653 146426 70 176000 0.58 1991 11855 0.23 40448 52303 131 93 19 23570 750 1390 25822 231 78487 33 52179 130667 60 148000 0.53 1992 9855 0.28 25125 34979 261 782 114 24380 1230 1130 27636 167 63043 44 79657 142700 44 146000 0.43 1993 3113 0.19 13285 16399 332 387 16 18590 950 1151 21094 166 37990 56 29785 67775 56 122100 0.31 1994 2082 0.15 11946 14028 386 490 164 19350 660 774 21438 2 35854 60 1883 37737 95 106900 0.34 1995 1186 0.12 8682 9868 94 460 145 17930 540 367 19441 0 29403 66 1878 31281 94 133800 0.22 1996 1035 0.15 5649 6684 177 380 187 17220 760 815 19362 0 26223 74 19181 45404 58 114000 0.23 1997 945 0.14 5598 6543 168 210 108 14110 1030 609 16067 0 22777 71 19339 42116 54 93670 0.24 1998 1171 0.40 1762 2934 260 208 67 7950 540 333 9097 0 12291 74 13056 25346 48 64420 0.19 1999 175 0.17 842 1017 262 270 83 6610 790 456 8209 0 9487 87 4327 13815 69 68290 0.14 2000 151 0.13 1050 1201 255 260 164 6320 570 198 7512 0 8968 84 6444 15412 58 70035 0.13

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2017 445 0.08 4823 5268 76 170 55 3800 565 19 4609 0 9952 46 5649 15601 64 109400 0.09

Variations in numbers from previous assessments are due to updates to data inputs and to stochastic variation from Monte Carlo simulation. NF-Lab Comm / Food 1SW (Year i-1) = Catch of 1SW non-maturing * 0.677057 (M of 0.03 per month for 13 months to July for Canadian terminal fisheries) NF-Lab Comm / Food 2SW (Year i) = catch of 2SW salmon * 0.970446 (M of 0.03 per month for 1 month to July of Canadian terminal fisheries) Canada: Losses from all sources = 2SW returns - 2SW spawners (includes losses from harvests, from catch and release mortality, and other in-river losses such as bycatch mortality but excludes the fisheries at St-Pierre and Miquelon and NF-Lab Comm / Food fisheries) a - starting in 1998, there was no commercial fishery in Labrador; numbers reflect harvests of the Indigenous and residential subsistence fisheries Greenland total catch = estimated catch of 1SW non-maturing salmon of North American origin at Greenland discounted for 11 months of mortality at sea as returning 2SW salmon to eastern North America (* 0.719; M of 0.03 per month for 11 months).

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Table 4.1.5.1. Correspondence between ICES areas used for the assessment of status of North Amer- ican salmon stocks and the regional groups (Figure 4.1.5.1) defined from the North American genetic baseline.

ICES region Regional group Group acronym

Quebec Ungava / Northern Labrador UNG Labrador Labrador Central LAB Quebec / Labrador South QLS Quebec Quebec QUE Anticosti ANT Gaspe GAS Gulf Gulf of St Lawrence GUL Scotia-Fundy Nova Scotia NOS Inner Bay of Fundy FUN USA USA US Newfoundland Newfoundland NFL

Avalon AVA

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Table 4.1.5.2. Genetic mixture analysis of Labrador subsistence fisheries, 2015–2017 using the microsatellite loci and baseline. Mean percent values and 95% credible interval by North American regional groups (Figure 4.1.5.1).

Table 4.1.5.3. Genetic mixture analyses of Atlantic salmon (small salmon < 63 cm, large salmon ≥63 cm) harvested in the Saint Pierre and Miquelon fishery 2015–2017 using microsatellite loci and baseline. Mean proportion values and 95% credible interval by North American regional groups (Figure 4.1.5.1).

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Table 4.3.1.1. Estimated smolt production by smolt migration year in monitored rivers of eastern North America, 1991 to 2017.

Smolt USA Scotia-Fundy Gulf Migration Narraguagus Sheepscot Nashwaak LaHave St. Mary's Middle Margaree Northwest Southwest Restigouche Kedgwick Year (West Br.) Miramichi Miramichi

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 20 511 1997 2749 16 550 1998 2845 22 750 15 600 1999 4247 28 500 10 420 390 500 2000 1843 15 800 16 300 162 000 2001 2562 11 000 15 700 220 000 306 300 2002 1774 15 000 11 860 63 200 241 000 711 400 430 304 155 723 2003 1201 9000 17 845 83 100 286 000 48 500 574 394 68 969 2004 1284 13 600 20 613 105 800 368 000 1 167 000 594 791 85 450 2005 1287 5 200 5270 7350 94 200 151 200 587 440 74 284 2006 2339 25 400 22 971 25 100 113 700 435 000 1 330 000 393 342 120 729 2007 1177 21 550 24 430 16 110 112 400 1 344 000 897 408 109 422 2008 962 7 300 14 450 15 217 128 800 901 500 506 272 47 818 2009 1176 1498 15 900 8644 14 820 96 800 1 035 000 541 726 135 856 2010 2149 2231 12 500 16 215 2 165 000 592 903 94 635 2011 1404 1639 8750 768 000 791 746 253 854 2012 969 849 11 060 719 199 155 356 2013 1237 829 10 120 7159 11 103 542 493 102 955 2014 1615 542 11 100 29 175 11 907 232 274 54 170 2015 1201 572 7900 6664 24 110 536 815 179 685 2016 983 7150 25 849 14 848 271 943 57 035 2017 985 288 512 50 964

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Table 4.3.1.1 (continued). Estimated smolt production by smolt migration year in monitored rivers of eastern North America, 1991 to 2017.

SMOLT QUÉBEC NEWFOUNDLAND MIGRATION St. Jean De la Trinite Vieux-Fort Conne Rocky Campbellton Western Arm Garnish YEAR Brook

1991 113 927 40 863 74 645 7732 13 453 1992 154 980 50 869 68 208 7813 15 405 1993 142 972 86 226 55 765 5115 31 577 13 435 1994 74 285 55 913 60 762 9781 41 663 9283 1995 60 227 71 899 62 749 7577 39 715 15 144 1996 104 973 61 092 94 088 14 261 58 369 14 502 1997 31 892 100 983 16 900 62 050 23 845 1998 95 843 28 962 69 841 12 163 50 441 17 139 1999 114 255 56 557 63 658 8 625 47 256 13 500 2000 50 993 39 744 60 777 7616 35 596 12 706 2001 109 845 70 318 86 899 9392 37 170 16 013 2002 71 839 44 264 81 806 10 144 32 573 14 999 2003 60 259 53 030 71 479 4440 35 089 12 086 2004 54 821 27 051 79 667 13 047 32 780 17 323 2005 96 002 34 867 66 196 15 847 30 123 8607 2006 102 939 35 487 13 200 33 302 20 826 2007 135 360 42 923 63 738 12 355 35 742 16 621 2008 45 978 35 036 68 242 18 338 40 390 17 444 2009 37 297 32 680 71 085 14 041 36 722 18 492 2010 47 187 37 500 54 392 15 098 41 069 19 044 2011 45 050 44 400 50 701 9311 37 033 20 544 2012 40 787 45 108 51 220 5673 44 193 13 573 2013 36 849 42 378 66 261 6989 40 355 19 710 2014 56 456 30 741 30 873 56 224 9901 45 630 19 771 2015 47 566 25 096 32 557 6454 32 759 14 278 2016 58 307 42 269 28 234 4542 44 747 14 255 2017 34 261 27 433 34 447 58 803 5233 35 910 15 439 11 833

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 201

Table 4.3.2.1. Estimated small salmon returns (medians, 5th percentile, 95th percentile) to the six geographic areas and overall for NAC, 1970 to 2017. Returns for Scotia-Fundy do not include those from SFA 22 and a portion of SFA 23.

Median estimates of returns of small salmon 5th percentile of estimates of returns 95th percentile of estimates of returns Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC 1970 49095 135800 23570 62960 26560 NA 299000 1970 34119 120700 19360 53930 22800 NA 273300 1970 72950 151000 27880 71970 30290 NA 328500 1971 64490 118900 18740 49850 18820 32 271300 1971 44810 105600 15360 42680 16050 32 244600 1971 95060 132000 22060 56990 21680 32 305000 1972 48770 110500 15620 62890 16920 18 255700 1972 33700 97480 12760 53770 14070 18 231500 1972 71531 123405 18390 72130 19850 18 283700 1973 13935 159800 20745 63195 24430 23 282400 1973 9495 142400 17010 54150 20740 23 261000 1973 19920 177405 24500 72260 28070 23 304000 1974 54250 120500 21040 98355 43680 55 339000 1974 37630 106600 17220 83770 37160 55 309400 1974 79560 134300 24760 112900 49970 55 372000 1975 102900 150900 22590 88560 33850 84 400300 1975 71650 133200 18520 75640 30460 83 358200 1975 153200 168800 26700 101200 37280 85 454800 1976 74060 158500 24910 129000 52860 186 440900 1976 51160 139000 20490 110900 46650 184 402100 1976 109200 177900 29440 146600 59150 188 485005 1977 65595 159800 22740 46230 46365 75 341800 1977 45730 140100 18640 39950 40270 74 310000 1977 96750 179100 26840 52540 52120 76 379105 1978 33020 139300 21150 41090 15810 155 251500 1978 23000 121800 17400 36220 14470 154 229000 1978 47910 156700 25020 46010 17130 156 274400 1979 42425 151900 27240 72260 48830 250 343900 1979 29300 132900 22280 62480 42330 248 315800 1979 63340 170600 31990 82090 55480 252 374000 1980 95995 172500 37250 63190 70615 818 441600 1980 66480 152400 30520 54650 62640 811 401100 1980 142805 192500 43940 72010 78460 825 493205 1981 106500 225600 52150 106800 59390 1130 553000 1981 72569 198000 42710 85690 51070 1120 498900 1981 157410 253800 61420 127500 67870 1140 615300 1982 73930 200500 29670 121300 36060 334 463000 1982 50420 177800 24300 96150 31330 331 418200 1982 109605 223700 34960 146100 40800 337 512805 1983 45965 156500 22420 37335 22640 295 286500 1983 31670 137900 18420 29660 19840 292 258900 1983 68480 175800 26530 44710 25410 298 316900 1984 24020 206400 25250 54295 42830 598 354500 1984 16810 179900 22960 44660 36610 593 323200 1984 35530 233705 27520 63860 48820 603 385600 1985 43040 195100 26750 86085 47590 392 400300 1985 29750 168700 24290 68110 40160 388 362200 1985 64360 222700 29260 104300 54840 396 440500 1986 65450 200300 38260 161100 49260 758 517600 1986 45230 175300 35290 127200 41560 751 465900 1986 97570 225700 41270 195600 56890 765 569800 1987 82315 135700 43780 123600 51180 1128 439700 1987 56600 118700 40120 98370 43300 1118 395395 1987 122800 152405 47580 148900 59210 1138 490900 1988 75660 217200 50410 174100 51770 992 572000 1988 51740 190000 46300 138000 44100 983 516200 1988 112700 243700 54420 209900 59630 1001 631000 1989 51820 107600 39820 103700 54620 1258 359900 1989 35809 94789 36700 81980 46420 1247 326500 1989 77060 120300 43030 125300 62780 1269 397200 1990 30360 152200 45190 118200 55270 687 402800 1990 20800 138100 41870 93470 46400 681 370300 1990 44920 166300 48520 142200 64100 693 435600 1991 24380 105600 35220 85910 28270 310 280600 1991 16600 96320 32700 68150 24440 307 257100 1991 36380 114900 37820 103700 32060 313 304400 1992 34240 229300 39780 193900 33975 1194 533500 1992 24190 200000 36730 165200 29350 1183 489500 1992 50930 258600 42750 222000 38620 1205 578800 1993 45650 265900 34330 137000 25700 466 511300 1993 33330 235700 31830 90180 21930 462 450700 1993 66870 295300 36840 184300 29490 470 571100 1994 33745 161200 32850 67910 10460 436 307850 1994 25270 139000 30480 57810 9353 432 280500 1994 48410 183500 35210 78220 11560 440 335300 1995 47720 203500 26390 60965 20000 213 360200 1995 35930 172900 24500 52340 17460 211 324800 1995 67040 234805 28290 69880 22520 215 396700 1996 89620 313100 35240 57430 31800 651 530600 1996 67919 270100 32820 48020 27530 645 477900 1996 127100 357000 37660 66530 36100 657 586000 1997 95390 176700 26635 31120 9357 365 341100 1997 73879 159200 24540 25170 8249 362 309500 1997 131400 194500 28690 36890 10500 368 380400 1998 151400 183900 28260 40350 20370 403 425000 1998 102500 171200 25780 34550 18730 399 374000 1998 199900 196200 30750 46120 22040 407 474800 1999 147000 201600 29890 36460 10590 419 426050 1999 100100 185795 27430 31740 9825 415 375500 1999 194600 217200 32440 41150 11380 423 476700 2000 182350 228800 27530 51680 12365 270 502900 2000 123500 216800 24490 45340 11340 268 442700 2000 240500 240900 30650 57890 13400 272 562400 2001 145800 156300 18930 42775 5426 266 369400 2001 99070 148000 17220 37450 5010 264 321900 2001 192600 164500 20640 48100 5839 268 416700 2002 103300 155500 30230 69770 9849 450 368900 2002 66610 143200 28010 60569 9000 446 329395 2002 139200 167900 32450 78940 10710 454 408300 2003 85550 242500 25210 41220 5846 237 400700 2003 51950 232900 23160 35610 5343 235 364700 2003 119300 252200 27260 46830 6346 239 436205 2004 94910 210150 34180 77065 8392 319 425100 2004 72450 192400 30650 66140 7644 316 393900 2004 117700 227900 37580 88150 9149 322 457500 2005 219700 220800 23010 47405 7496 319 519300 2005 166100 177295 20900 39550 6791 316 446600 2005 274700 266600 25190 55110 8191 322 593505 2006 212600 212700 28100 58805 10280 450 523500 2006 140395 194200 25890 47870 9295 446 446895 2006 286100 231800 30320 69640 11240 454 599500 2007 195250 183600 21370 42245 7739 297 449600 2007 138200 158695 19400 33420 6981 294 387900 2007 251400 208400 23400 50880 8497 300 512500 2008 205300 247700 35520 61760 15370 814 566100 2008 149100 222200 32580 49670 13880 807 502600 2008 259000 272700 38510 73660 16850 821 628000 2009 102100 222500 20830 26570 4242 241 376900 2009 60090 194400 19000 20570 3843 239 323795 2009 144900 251500 22720 32490 4642 243 430300 2010 121500 267800 26550 74530 14890 525 505600 2010 82909 256000 24190 64820 13410 520 463500 2010 160700 279300 28950 84120 16350 530 548400 2011 246150 243600 36385 75770 9456 1080 612350 2011 148200 216995 33540 62460 8516 1070 510200 2011 345100 270600 39200 88890 10390 1090 715400 2012 172800 270600 23670 18990 609 26 486500 2012 112100 250400 21550 14970 549 26 422295 2012 234600 290600 25800 23080 667 26 552600 2013 156100 187800 19190 24130 2104 78 389050 2013 90630 172200 17420 18940 1907 77 322500 2013 220500 203100 21000 29280 2300 79 455900 2014 271000 170000 23825 15970 1415 110 482000 2014 186100 155300 21690 12750 1271 109 396800 2014 350400 184605 26080 19170 1557 111 563200 2015 258400 283300 36820 42970 4212 150 625600 2015 183200 253400 33730 36870 3815 149 542795 2015 331500 313400 40000 49000 4602 151 706900 2016 205100 190800 33175 26110 2560 232 457900 2016 120195 166200 29950 20700 2284 230 368795 2016 290600 215805 36340 31670 2834 234 548200 2017 163100 155200 24340 22720 3914 363 370000 2017 89078 136000 21770 18710 3518 360 293300 2017 237905 173900 26920 26760 4317 366 447105

202 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 4.3.2.2. Estimated large salmon returns (medians, 5th percentile, 95th percentile) to the six geographic areas and overall for NAC, 1970 to 2017. Returns for Scotia-Fundy do not include those from SFA 22 and a portion of SFA 23.

Median estimates of returns of large salmon 5th percentile of estimates of returns 95th percentile of estimates of returns Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC 1970 10090 14890 103000 69580 20310 NA 218400 1970 4977 11860 84660 67130 18000 NA 198000 1970 16960 17950 121900 71990 22630 NA 238400 1971 14425 12570 59240 40050 15850 653 143300 1971 7067 10000 48580 37590 14110 647 128200 1971 24300 15140 69860 42500 17620 659 158500 1972 12450 12650 77195 56970 18970 1383 180000 1972 6077 10100 63430 48900 17100 1371 161800 1972 20800 15180 91080 65130 20870 1395 198700 1973 17225 17380 84870 53410 14750 1427 189950 1973 8520 13770 69860 45560 13420 1414 168800 1973 28960 20920 100500 61150 16070 1440 211200 1974 16920 14260 114400 77650 28620 1394 253800 1974 8408 12660 93800 65920 26280 1381 226800 1974 28710 15820 134900 89190 30840 1407 280605 1975 15850 18420 97170 50455 30640 2330 215400 1975 7818 16130 79500 43060 28030 2310 192700 1975 26900 20720 114500 57760 33240 2352 238000 1976 18285 16630 96505 48700 28810 1317 210900 1976 9003 14600 79270 41380 25950 1305 187700 1976 31000 18670 113800 56060 31600 1329 234300 1977 16260 14640 113800 87650 38130 1998 273000 1977 7984 12950 93270 75230 34630 1980 245400 1977 27231 16260 134200 100100 41510 2016 300300 1978 12795 11340 102300 43840 22260 4208 197200 1978 6250 10350 84119 38760 20590 4170 176000 1978 21390 12340 121100 48860 23930 4246 218900 1979 7280 7201 56670 17850 12800 1942 103900 1979 3517 6309 46350 15690 11590 1924 91980 1979 12240 8116 66650 20050 14030 1959 115700 1980 17500 12050 134700 62510 43770 5796 276500 1980 8544 11120 110300 54640 39560 5744 248000 1980 29180 12990 158500 70460 47910 5848 305200 1981 15660 28840 105400 39350 28210 5601 223500 1981 7701 25300 86320 33000 25460 5550 200600 1981 26220 32410 124500 45850 30980 5652 247100 1982 11560 11620 93540 54010 23660 6056 201000 1982 5691 10120 76760 42690 21520 6002 178300 1982 19400 13110 110400 65430 25790 6111 223700 1983 8409 12450 76800 40570 20605 2155 161300 1983 4111 11280 63030 33700 18390 2136 144300 1983 14060 13630 90680 47610 22850 2175 178600 1984 6072 12370 63680 32760 24550 3222 142800 1984 2972 9164 60680 23390 21180 3193 131000 1984 10170 15580 66620 41920 27870 3251 154600 1985 4744 10910 65890 44720 34180 5528 166000 1985 2313 7652 62070 31980 29450 5479 151100 1985 7953 14200 69730 57340 39050 5579 180800 1986 8238 12320 78045 68690 28220 6177 202000 1986 4013 9448 74020 49190 23830 6120 180100 1986 13770 15170 82080 88260 32640 6231 223600 1987 10940 8431 73510 46740 17680 3080 160800 1987 5452 6450 69960 34140 15020 3053 145400 1987 18580 10400 76950 59000 20320 3109 175700 1988 6910 12990 80970 53300 16450 3286 174300 1988 3355 9849 76380 39510 13750 3257 158100 1988 11620 16100 85470 67560 19210 3316 190500 1989 6634 6879 73700 42370 18510 3197 151500 1989 3300 5394 70120 31320 15610 3168 138700 1989 11190 8424 77400 53310 21430 3226 164400 1990 3811 10290 72550 56540 16000 5052 164100 1990 1880 8355 68250 39830 13500 5006 146300 1990 6423 12190 76850 73300 18520 5097 182500 1991 1867 7563 65320 57450 15650 2647 150400 1991 926 6134 61670 39670 13450 2623 132000 1991 3139 8961 69050 75021 17900 2671 169000 1992 7492 31410 65700 59910 14280 2459 181700 1992 3995 22330 61690 51300 12310 2437 167600 1992 12670 40970 69510 68550 16270 2481 196100 1993 9452 17090 50440 63900 10070 2231 153600 1993 5900 13720 48610 35010 8891 2211 123800 1993 15130 20380 52260 93330 11220 2251 183700 1994 12965 17390 50950 41210 6309 1346 130700 1994 8460 13850 49200 33000 5655 1334 119800 1994 20271 20910 52730 49490 6965 1358 142000 1995 25435 19045 59190 48285 7516 1748 161800 1995 18070 14690 57290 41100 6585 1732 149500 1995 37160 23460 61150 55260 8420 1764 175900 1996 18630 28890 53630 40750 10880 2407 155800 1996 13430 23670 51460 32580 9570 2385 143700 1996 27641 34100 55820 48850 12180 2429 168600 1997 16160 28000 44180 35820 5574 1611 131800 1997 11540 23010 42370 28220 4990 1596 121100 1997 23740 33010 46010 43430 6176 1625 143300 1998 13470 35230 33910 30255 3845 1526 118400 1998 8033 27460 32120 24880 3532 1512 107000 1998 18860 43120 35690 35760 4160 1540 129600 1999 16130 32130 36980 27600 4941 1168 119000 1999 9552 24950 34810 23280 4592 1158 107700 1999 22550 39160 39130 31980 5283 1179 130100 2000 22000 26980 35410 30165 2869 533 117950 2000 13000 22890 32500 25750 2618 528 106500 2000 30890 31080 38260 34570 3133 538 129300 2001 23240 17880 37180 40170 4659 797 123800 2001 13740 15170 34240 35070 4264 790 112200 2001 32580 20590 40110 45270 5055 804 135600 2002 16900 16840 26490 23560 1582 526 85845 2002 9817 13750 24160 19820 1443 521 76710 2002 23960 19950 28770 27300 1725 531 94950 2003 14360 24380 42080 39840 3532 1199 125300 2003 7436 19330 38770 33530 3193 1188 113900 2003 20940 29530 45340 46170 3864 1210 136600 2004 16920 22230 36300 39680 3097 1316 119600 2004 11540 16940 33830 32600 2826 1304 108900 2004 22510 27400 38830 46630 3371 1328 130200 2005 21100 28420 35410 37760 2027 994 125700 2005 12190 20470 33140 30990 1835 985 111500 2005 29910 36310 37720 44590 2211 1003 139800 2006 21150 35720 32780 37410 2992 1030 131000 2006 13280 29950 30610 31020 2681 1021 119000 2006 28990 41530 34920 43660 3288 1039 143000 2007 21910 29640 30070 35210 1595 958 119400 2007 12850 23490 27950 29760 1454 949 106600 2007 30890 35940 32190 40640 1739 967 131900 2008 26120 28920 36060 28600 3264 1799 124700 2008 15910 22540 32810 22840 2921 1783 110700 2008 36430 35300 39180 34400 3625 1815 138700 2009 39500 34380 35080 36030 3140 2095 150200 2009 20740 23770 32630 30560 2847 2076 127300 2009 58080 44900 37510 41400 3440 2114 172900 2010 18795 35365 37760 33020 2511 1098 128600 2010 11600 28710 35290 27720 2283 1088 116900 2010 26080 42050 40400 38380 2743 1108 140400 2011 57695 43500 48210 66650 4803 3087 223900 2011 33040 31260 45170 52750 4323 3059 191400 2011 82251 55450 51230 80501 5267 3115 255400 2012 33730 28760 34610 27250 1309 913 126400 2012 20490 23330 32210 22300 1171 905 111100 2012 47020 34430 36930 32160 1444 921 142200 2013 64020 37850 39040 35640 3172 533 180400 2013 39559 26080 36580 27860 2801 528 151200 2013 88670 49670 41470 43510 3550 538 209800 2014 61690 20270 22190 23920 756 340 129100 2014 38450 16550 20860 18690 678 337 104800 2014 85410 23950 23540 28990 835 343 153500 2015 88550 36845 36200 33350 738 771 196200 2015 53679 29090 33760 27150 665 764 160195 2015 124300 44550 38560 39590 812 778 233500 2016 72005 24630 38700 36490 1563 392 173900 2016 39760 19480 35990 27650 1403 388 139400 2016 104700 29800 41490 45240 1721 396 208305 2017 76970 17840 37940 27090 1196 678 161500 2017 36870 14280 35150 21710 1081 672 120800 2017 116900 21390 40810 32430 1312 684 202300

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 203

Table 4.3.2.3. Estimated 2SW salmon returns (medians, 5th percentile, 95th percentile) to the six geographic areas and overall for NAC, 1970 to 2017. Returns for Scotia-Fundy do not include those from SFA 22 and a portion of SFA 23.

Median estimates of returns of 2SW salmon 5th percentile of estimates of returns 95th percentile of estimates of returns Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC 1970 10090 4128 75220 59570 17150 NA 166600 1970 4977 3073 61800 57490 15020 NA 151000 1970 16960 5154 89010 61620 19270 NA 182200 1971 14425 3590 43250 34815 13530 653 110600 1971 7067 2589 35470 32630 11870 647 98200 1971 24300 4552 50990 36990 15150 659 123700 1972 12450 3734 56355 49380 15980 1383 139500 1972 6077 2716 46310 42470 14280 1371 124700 1972 20800 4744 66490 56320 17690 1395 155000 1973 17225 4621 61950 47630 12890 1427 146600 1973 8520 3471 51000 40650 11670 1414 129400 1973 28960 5782 73350 54610 14120 1440 164400 1974 16920 3640 83510 67240 27100 1394 200100 1974 8408 2863 68470 57080 24890 1381 178800 1974 28710 4411 98440 77440 29430 1407 222800 1975 15850 5208 70940 42950 28840 2330 166600 1975 7818 3876 58030 36630 26310 2310 148400 1975 26900 6527 83610 49430 31440 2352 185300 1976 18285 4356 70450 40260 26640 1317 161900 1976 9003 3335 57870 34250 23830 1305 143100 1976 31000 5398 83080 46310 29440 1329 181200 1977 16260 3556 83080 80570 32320 1998 218200 1977 7984 2859 68090 69060 28960 1980 195495 1977 27231 4239 97990 92270 35650 2016 240900 1978 12795 3586 74670 36280 18790 4208 150800 1978 6250 2927 61410 32130 17160 4170 134200 1978 21390 4258 88370 40370 20380 4246 168000 1979 7280 1736 41370 12010 10520 1942 75075 1979 3517 1342 33830 10600 9443 1924 65750 1979 12240 2137 48660 13450 11620 1959 84360 1980 17500 3890 98300 56910 38650 5796 221200 1980 8544 3193 80500 49710 34760 5744 198500 1980 29180 4606 115700 63870 42590 5848 244400 1981 15660 7006 76935 24330 23230 5601 153400 1981 7701 5485 63010 20370 20810 5550 135100 1981 26220 8566 90910 28360 25610 5652 171800 1982 11560 3166 68280 41680 16740 6056 148000 1982 5691 2525 56030 32780 14840 6002 129900 1982 19400 3818 80610 51060 18640 6111 166000 1983 8409 3687 56060 31240 16500 2155 118300 1983 4111 3018 46010 25790 14480 2136 105000 1983 14060 4366 66200 36810 18460 2175 131700 1984 6072 3343 46490 29505 21380 3222 110200 1984 2972 2431 44300 20870 18310 3193 99630 1984 10170 4241 48630 38220 24580 3251 120705 1985 4744 2761 48100 35930 29750 5528 127000 1985 2313 1916 45310 25228 25400 5479 114400 1985 7953 3577 50900 46750 34040 5579 139400 1986 8238 3265 56970 56755 21400 6177 153100 1986 4013 2368 54040 40590 18140 6120 135300 1986 13770 4139 59920 73490 24690 6231 171400 1987 10940 2345 53660 35860 13650 3080 119900 1987 5452 1663 51070 25950 11600 3053 107695 1987 18580 3035 56170 45740 15690 3109 132505 1988 6910 3435 59105 42355 11800 3286 127100 1988 3355 2452 55760 30940 9921 3257 114200 1988 11620 4418 62390 53790 13620 3316 140200 1989 6634 1685 53800 28095 14660 3197 108300 1989 3300 1246 51190 20510 12380 3168 98900 1989 11190 2124 56500 35630 16920 3226 117700 1990 3811 2698 52960 36800 11670 5052 113200 1990 1880 2014 49820 26260 9890 5006 101500 1990 6423 3377 56100 47540 13440 5097 124900 1991 1867 2061 47680 35775 13050 2647 103000 1991 926 1575 45020 24720 11130 2623 91310 1991 3139 2547 50410 46780 14930 2671 114900 1992 7492 8196 47960 37900 11970 2459 116200 1992 3995 5468 45030 31960 10260 2437 107800 1992 12670 10940 50740 43760 13690 2481 125100 1993 9452 4352 36820 43490 8080 2231 104850 1993 5900 3228 35480 23100 7181 2211 83790 1993 15130 5501 38150 63430 8990 2251 125500 1994 12965 4036 37200 30210 5162 1346 91390 1994 8460 2905 35920 24000 4650 1334 82640 1994 20271 5165 38490 36470 5682 1358 100900 1995 25435 3843 43210 39590 6819 1748 121100 1995 18070 2591 41820 33570 6000 1732 110400 1995 37160 5127 44640 45440 7651 1764 133900 1996 18630 5666 39150 29190 9198 2407 104800 1996 13430 4091 37560 22880 8107 2385 95630 1996 27641 7274 40750 35480 10280 2429 115400 1997 16160 6000 32250 24200 4580 1611 85120 1997 11540 4262 30930 18300 4122 1596 76690 1997 23740 7771 33590 29960 5031 1625 94631 1998 8820 6432 24760 16360 2605 1526 60480 1998 5258 4459 23450 12740 2392 1512 54720 1998 12490 8391 26050 19870 2814 1540 66240 1999 10530 6290 27000 16010 4191 1168 65180 1999 6244 4348 25410 13090 3914 1158 59220 1999 14980 8199 28570 18960 4477 1179 71210 2000 14380 6378 25850 17070 2378 533 66650 2000 8485 4571 23730 14140 2160 528 59410 2000 20470 8213 27930 20020 2599 538 74040 2001 15200 2494 27140 27130 4276 788 76990 2001 9031 1693 25000 23400 3913 781 69280 2001 21530 3315 29280 30870 4632 795 84810 2002 11060 2422 19340 14120 969 504 48440 2002 6418 1600 17640 11560 896 500 42690 2002 15860 3258 21000 16660 1042 509 54160 2003 9372 3404 30720 26010 3330 1192 73980 2003 4860 2226 28300 21350 3011 1181 66570 2003 13880 4535 33100 30680 3646 1203 81230 2004 11020 3319 26500 25680 2691 1283 70560 2004 7523 2093 24690 20440 2462 1271 63700 2004 14900 4567 28350 30800 2916 1295 77470 2005 13820 4456 25850 26390 1696 984 73030 2005 7982 2535 24190 21280 1541 975 64990 2005 19770 6301 27540 31210 1848 993 81420 2006 13820 5398 23930 22475 2546 1023 69190 2006 8660 3564 22340 18210 2293 1014 61820 2006 19210 7191 25490 26810 2798 1032 76700 2007 14305 4146 21950 22670 1391 954 65410 2007 8424 2603 20400 18980 1271 946 57820 2007 20470 5666 23500 26470 1510 963 73140 2008 17125 3894 26320 18820 3058 1764 70970 2008 10400 2459 23950 14549 2735 1748 62180 2008 24150 5312 28600 23010 3390 1780 79840 2009 25580 4631 25610 24010 2669 2069 84600 2009 13450 2764 23820 20010 2427 2050 71600 2009 37940 6423 27380 27900 2911 2087 98040 2010 12190 4690 27570 20400 2017 1078 67985 2010 7493 3159 25760 16350 1838 1068 61060 2010 17070 6194 29500 24380 2195 1088 74970 2011 37470 3652 35190 53280 4642 3045 137300 2011 21410 2353 32970 41800 4183 3018 116700 2011 53880 4955 37400 64890 5101 3072 158305 2012 21850 2287 25270 19390 1081 879 70815 2012 13300 1589 23510 15890 969 871 61130 2012 30750 2979 26960 22930 1195 887 80750 2013 41570 4794 28500 25410 2945 525 103700 2013 25600 3086 26710 19820 2592 520 86330 2013 58150 6538 30270 30920 3297 530 121600 2014 40040 2872 16200 16860 687 334 77040 2014 24990 1922 15230 13100 614 331 61340 2014 55820 3832 17190 20660 759 337 93400 2015 57395 4930 26420 23745 682 761 113800 2015 34930 3273 24650 18990 616 754 90460 2015 81411 6565 28150 28440 748 768 138600 2016 46680 3725 28250 26590 1513 389 107300 2016 25670 2378 26280 20120 1356 386 84880 2016 68440 5060 30280 33290 1672 392 130305 2017 49870 2658 27690 19305 1138 663 101350 2017 23770 1705 25660 15260 1031 657 74920 2017 76320 3610 29790 23180 1248 669 128200

204 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 4.3.3.1. Estimated small salmon spawners (medians, 5th percentile, 95th percentile) to the six geographic areas and overall for NAC, 1970 to 2017. Returns for Scotia-Fundy do not include those from SFA 22 and a portion of SFA 23.

Median estimates of spawners of small salmon 5th percentile of estimates of spawners 95th percentile of estimates of spawners Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC 1970 45080 105200 13840 39280 18390 NA NA 1970 30100 90200 11330 30310 14640 NA NA 1970 68930 120700 16320 48280 22150 NA NA 1971 60560 92075 11690 32480 12180 29 210000 1971 40880 78830 9570 25520 9368 29 182900 1971 91120 105700 13780 39720 14940 29 243405 1972 45830 86050 10240 40100 10850 17 193900 1972 30750 73160 8404 31030 7950 17 169700 1972 68581 99150 12120 49360 13710 17 221600 1973 6442 124300 13740 45690 18300 13 208700 1973 2003 106600 11270 36700 14650 13 187795 1973 12420 142200 16230 54580 21940 13 230200 1974 51750 94130 12640 76095 33190 40 269100 1974 35130 80370 10330 61490 26710 40 239500 1974 77060 107800 14840 90690 39540 40 301600 1975 98900 117700 14450 67240 26210 67 325800 1975 67680 99480 11900 54530 22810 66 285200 1975 149205 135805 17120 80160 29590 68 379800 1976 68330 124100 16230 89825 40810 151 341000 1976 45440 104700 13290 72110 34390 150 301900 1976 103500 143800 19170 107800 47170 152 384905 1977 61005 125300 14970 24875 32160 54 259550 1977 41140 106295 12310 18730 26270 54 228300 1977 92150 144700 17720 31050 38000 54 296405 1978 30330 110700 14320 22800 9033 127 188200 1978 20310 93250 11720 17980 7700 126 166100 1978 45210 128700 16880 27590 10380 128 211400 1979 38310 120800 19860 49640 36620 247 266700 1979 25180 101600 16250 40040 29910 245 238300 1979 59220 139700 23400 59300 43250 249 296800 1980 92195 136900 26040 43420 49620 722 350000 1980 62680 116300 21330 35080 41680 716 309400 1980 139005 156500 30700 51840 57460 728 401000 1981 101300 178700 38870 70125 40170 1009 432100 1981 67378 151000 31710 49340 31779 1000 377895 1981 152305 206900 45630 90930 48620 1018 494500 1982 69830 158500 21130 89205 24330 290 365400 1982 46320 135600 17300 64260 19630 287 319600 1982 105505 182300 24900 114100 29200 293 414500 1983 41590 124200 15040 23880 14820 255 221000 1983 27300 105100 12320 16180 12040 253 193400 1983 64100 143300 17740 31310 17580 257 251005 1984 21080 166600 20380 21770 32665 540 263900 1984 13880 139500 18080 12450 26620 535 233000 1984 32590 193200 22680 31260 38850 545 295800 1985 39940 159400 20080 60180 36200 363 317400 1985 26650 131700 17680 42200 29000 360 279500 1985 61260 185800 22520 77710 43410 366 356300 1986 61990 162650 27680 122150 39475 660 416600 1986 41770 137600 24740 88110 31970 654 365300 1986 94110 188100 30690 156300 47150 666 470305 1987 76950 111000 32780 90500 40950 1087 355500 1987 51240 93880 29000 65490 33110 1077 310400 1987 117500 128200 36590 115300 48960 1097 406200 1988 70135 177600 36295 128400 42370 923 457600 1988 46220 149900 32340 92458 34530 915 401595 1988 107200 204100 40350 163500 50020 931 515100 1989 47130 89110 30730 70050 43450 1080 283100 1989 31120 76450 27510 48290 35290 1070 248300 1989 72380 101800 33890 91670 51660 1090 320300 1990 27050 122400 32860 84770 43890 617 312400 1990 17490 108200 29440 60530 35240 612 279500 1990 41610 136400 36110 108905 52860 623 346500 1991 22060 85060 25230 66710 22250 235 222350 1991 14280 75850 22690 49250 18550 233 198900 1991 34060 94330 27850 84280 25980 237 246100 1992 31475 205200 27370 160000 26265 1124 452700 1992 21430 176200 24330 131900 21650 1114 408295 1992 48170 234600 30370 188100 30860 1134 496705 1993 42960 239100 22030 113000 20540 444 440050 1993 30640 209400 19520 66110 16700 440 379800 1993 64180 269400 24490 160300 24270 448 500105 1994 30830 129600 20720 45140 9150 427 237000 1994 22350 107395 18380 35470 8045 423 210095 1994 45500 152200 23070 54940 10230 431 264800 1995 44900 170800 17700 48300 17900 213 301100 1995 33110 140300 15810 39540 15380 211 266200 1995 64220 202100 19600 57090 20410 215 337900 1996 86680 275500 23180 35320 28240 651 451700 1996 64979 230295 20770 28630 23960 645 398400 1996 124105 318200 25620 41950 32490 657 506800 1997 92805 151900 17960 19410 8334 365 291800 1997 71290 134400 15900 14900 7223 362 261100 1997 128800 169800 20050 23820 9456 368 331500 1998 148900 158300 21210 25780 19940 403 374500 1998 100000 146000 18730 21260 18290 399 324695 1998 197400 170400 23680 30250 21550 407 424700 1999 144500 176200 23720 21980 10200 419 376900 1999 97580 160700 21270 18340 9422 415 327000 1999 192100 192100 26160 25600 10950 423 427600 2000 179100 204400 21070 31660 12010 270 448900 2000 120300 192700 18020 26830 10970 268 388900 2000 237300 216600 24100 36650 13030 272 508200 2001 143300 133500 13670 26360 5091 266 322000 2001 96550 125400 12120 22330 4681 264 275195 2001 190100 141700 15220 30510 5497 268 370200 2002 100700 132800 21370 44665 9523 450 309300 2002 64030 120695 19140 37300 8695 446 269800 2002 136600 145300 23610 51920 10400 454 348800 2003 82950 219600 19320 25470 5591 237 352900 2003 49350 209800 17290 21380 5096 235 317600 2003 116700 229200 21370 29600 6088 239 388305 2004 92500 188600 26310 49535 8142 319 365600 2004 70050 170700 22830 41070 7388 316 334200 2004 115300 206505 29840 58050 8888 322 396900 2005 217000 196700 18250 29440 7289 319 469850 2005 163400 151995 16130 23850 6606 316 395900 2005 272000 242105 20430 35180 7988 322 542700 2006 210400 190700 21580 38120 10030 450 471550 2006 138100 172200 19420 30150 9071 446 395800 2006 283800 209700 23790 46400 10990 454 547400 2007 193000 167800 16690 27270 7543 297 412900 2007 136000 142800 14700 20910 6787 294 349800 2007 249100 192800 18680 33490 8275 300 475000 2008 202700 217500 26680 39565 15140 814 501500 2008 146600 192000 23750 30450 13650 807 438900 2008 256405 243200 29690 48800 16620 821 564400 2009 100400 197000 16230 16340 4084 241 334400 2009 58399 168900 14350 11800 3697 239 281000 2009 143200 225600 18120 20750 4467 243 387400 2010 119600 235300 20475 47680 14790 525 438800 2010 80959 223700 18120 40350 13310 520 397000 2010 158800 246600 22830 54920 16290 530 479500 2011 244000 214000 27810 49080 9373 1080 545050 2011 146000 187200 24970 39210 8425 1070 443195 2011 342905 240500 30660 58880 10290 1090 648900 2012 171100 247000 18240 11640 591 26 449050 2012 110400 227000 16140 8544 533 26 384000 2012 232900 266300 20420 14710 649 26 513600 2013 154300 163300 15010 14700 2078 78 349200 2013 88820 147800 13210 10850 1881 77 281990 2013 218700 178600 16800 18550 2276 79 415900 2014 269000 145800 18760 10350 1404 110 445100 2014 184100 131000 16590 7848 1262 109 359295 2014 348400 160600 20950 12770 1546 111 526200 2015 256600 252100 28060 40745 4186 150 581900 2015 181400 222700 24900 34840 3787 149 499495 2015 329700 281705 31240 46630 4577 151 662300 2016 203100 159900 26240 24730 2526 232 417300 2016 118100 135900 23120 19420 2250 230 328000 2016 288505 185000 29400 30090 2794 234 506505 2017 161300 135000 19090 21440 3898 363 340600 2017 87288 115800 16520 17400 3499 360 264500 2017 236200 153905 21690 25340 4299 366 418000

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 205

Table 4.3.3.2. Estimated large salmon spawners (medians, 5th percentile, 95th percentile) to the six geographic areas and overall for NAC, 1970 to 2017. Returns for Scotia-Fundy do not include those from SFA 22 and a portion of SFA 23.

Median estimates of spawners of large salmon 5th percentile of estimates of spawners 95th percentile of estimates of spawners Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC 1970 9525 12720 39145 11880 7892 NA NA 1970 4415 9663 32110 9597 5558 NA NA 1970 16400 15760 46200 14130 10190 NA NA 1971 13935 10990 20220 11830 8208 490 65880 1971 6581 8453 16620 9402 6424 486 56200 1971 23810 13550 23910 14260 9969 494 77120 1972 12025 11280 39610 33340 12000 1038 109700 1972 5653 8721 32490 25560 10120 1029 95970 1972 20380 13870 46740 41130 13830 1047 123500 1973 16215 15430 40220 35450 7616 1100 116500 1973 7511 11800 33090 27810 6287 1090 101400 1973 27950 19010 47540 43060 8950 1110 132400 1974 16120 13060 49005 55930 15200 1147 150800 1974 7605 11480 40240 44430 12930 1137 132800 1974 27910 14630 57860 67210 17490 1157 170405 1975 15530 17170 40880 33620 17860 1942 127400 1975 7491 14880 33450 26500 15250 1925 112400 1975 26580 19440 48210 40960 20440 1959 143100 1976 17455 15550 38890 29210 16970 1126 119700 1976 8173 13610 31780 22160 14110 1116 104400 1976 30170 17590 45800 36290 19780 1136 136100 1977 14970 11850 55780 55590 21620 643 161000 1977 6698 10200 45760 43240 18120 637 141200 1977 25950 13500 65800 67880 25000 649 181100 1978 12030 9776 51300 19420 10865 3314 106900 1978 5483 8811 41950 14590 9200 3284 93410 1978 20630 10790 60370 24130 12560 3344 120900 1979 6671 6645 21990 8766 7926 1509 53610 1979 2908 5746 17980 6666 6706 1495 47050 1979 11630 7548 25880 10910 9128 1523 60550 1980 16615 10130 60870 34580 23920 4263 150800 1980 7655 9201 49960 26860 19810 4225 133000 1980 28290 11070 71930 42010 28120 4301 169200 1981 15140 27490 44830 16015 12760 4334 121100 1981 7181 23900 36680 9783 9958 4295 106300 1981 25700 31070 52770 22340 15480 4373 136200 1982 10940 10360 45410 27090 10390 4643 109000 1982 5070 8837 37250 15790 8248 4602 92500 1982 18780 11880 53470 38380 12580 4685 126000 1983 7981 11080 29630 18020 5705 1769 74525 1983 3683 9908 24310 11190 3517 1753 63750 1983 13630 12240 35020 24930 7936 1785 85330 1984 5562 11860 37060 28460 20020 2547 105600 1984 2462 8609 34060 19250 16630 2524 93980 1984 9659 15090 40080 37800 23380 2570 117700 1985 4450 10890 35470 43300 28540 4883 127500 1985 2019 7659 31670 30660 23670 4840 112900 1985 7659 14120 39370 55871 33370 4928 142600 1986 7772 12220 40640 66220 24980 5571 157700 1986 3546 9300 36610 47010 20440 5519 136000 1986 13300 15060 44620 85890 29380 5620 179205 1987 10305 8384 36060 43590 16100 2781 117700 1987 4819 6401 32630 31380 13430 2756 102700 1987 17950 10370 39550 56180 18750 2806 133100 1988 6200 12950 43150 51780 14770 3038 132100 1988 2645 9773 38600 37990 12060 3011 116100 1988 10910 16080 47740 65860 17510 3065 148500 1989 6173 6875 41195 40205 18100 2800 115600 1989 2839 5351 37460 29390 15220 2775 102900 1989 10730 8451 44880 51530 21010 2825 128600 1990 3454 10210 40960 55245 15220 4356 129300 1990 1523 8305 36520 37850 12730 4317 110900 1990 6066 12150 45250 71800 17720 4395 147500 1991 1774 7530 33030 55965 14100 2416 115000 1991 832 6094 29340 38390 11870 2394 96710 1991 3046 8939 36700 73590 16320 2438 133300 1992 6710 31470 32300 58170 13000 2292 144100 1992 3213 22170 28460 49570 11050 2272 130300 1992 11890 40690 36140 66770 14940 2313 158305 1993 9064 16930 24970 63445 8767 2065 125500 1993 5513 13600 23160 33840 7596 2047 95420 1993 14740 20280 26770 92491 9930 2084 155300 1994 12475 16900 24460 40220 5437 1344 101400 1994 7970 13320 22680 32210 4788 1332 90460 1994 19781 20430 26220 48310 6071 1356 112600 1995 24975 18640 34630 47410 7096 1748 135000 1995 17620 14340 32690 40380 6183 1732 122900 1995 36700 23040 36530 54440 8010 1764 149200 1996 18250 28330 30050 39700 9960 2407 129400 1996 13050 23240 27810 31630 8659 2385 117300 1996 27261 33560 32230 47750 11240 2429 142300 1997 15950 27610 24850 34550 4902 1611 110000 1997 11320 22560 23050 27050 4325 1596 99050 1997 23530 32660 26640 42060 5494 1625 121300 1998 13160 35010 23030 29395 3475 1526 105500 1998 7721 27040 21260 24050 3165 1512 94240 1998 18540 42860 24800 34760 3783 1540 117000 1999 15720 31750 27930 26100 4444 1168 107200 1999 9139 24510 25770 21800 4099 1158 95840 1999 22140 38800 30100 30450 4786 1179 118100 2000 21600 26490 26750 29040 2651 1587 108000 2000 12590 22510 23850 24570 2392 1573 96600 2000 30480 30480 29620 33500 2906 1601 119300 2001 22760 17500 27420 38790 4364 1491 112300 2001 13260 14780 24860 33720 3969 1478 100700 2001 32100 20190 30080 43800 4755 1504 123600 2002 16600 16490 20720 22580 1373 511 78370 2002 9512 13340 18460 18810 1238 506 69000 2002 23660 19630 23020 26320 1509 516 87330 2003 14005 24020 33790 38620 3296 1192 114900 2003 7082 19030 30520 32410 2957 1181 103500 2003 20580 29080 37040 44820 3628 1203 126000 2004 16510 21790 28150 38280 2958 1283 108900 2004 11130 16610 25600 31290 2692 1271 98490 2004 22100 27050 30690 45230 3229 1295 119800 2005 20680 27840 28120 36270 1899 1088 115800 2005 11770 19890 25800 29820 1714 1078 101800 2005 29490 35900 30360 43030 2085 1098 129900 2006 20810 35180 26070 36020 2811 1419 122200 2006 12940 29440 23910 29750 2511 1406 110400 2006 28650 41040 28240 42190 3109 1432 134300 2007 21550 29320 23600 33785 1468 1189 110900 2007 12490 23200 21470 28440 1327 1178 98190 2007 30530 35430 25650 39030 1605 1200 123500 2008 25775 28350 29830 27270 3159 2231 116500 2008 15560 21840 26620 21580 2810 2211 102500 2008 36090 34550 32970 32940 3511 2251 130600 2009 39160 34100 28690 34690 3002 2318 142000 2009 20410 23590 26330 29210 2708 2297 119100 2009 57740 44620 31140 40110 3298 2339 164700 2010 18490 34780 32025 31600 2365 1502 120700 2010 11300 28310 29450 26150 2131 1488 109000 2010 25780 41470 34550 36870 2598 1516 132700 2011 57475 42935 40270 64690 4703 3914 214100 2011 32820 30810 37220 51040 4226 3879 182200 2011 82031 55050 43370 78190 5182 3949 245300 2012 33620 28570 28460 26170 1246 2054 120100 2012 20380 22990 26120 21390 1111 2036 104395 2012 46910 34040 30830 31020 1384 2072 135900 2013 63775 37310 32360 34390 3139 5250 176400 2013 39310 25290 29880 26740 2766 5203 147100 2013 88430 49420 34820 41950 3509 5298 205700 2014 61530 19950 17460 23380 741 572 123500 2014 38290 16230 16110 18230 662 567 99700 2014 85250 23570 18790 28390 819 577 148100 2015 88415 36270 30630 32600 726 1519 190200 2015 53539 28710 28200 26420 654 1505 154100 2015 124100 43960 33020 38600 801 1533 227000 2016 71685 23900 32810 35600 1537 881 166100 2016 39440 18750 30020 26990 1377 873 132200 2016 104400 29110 35530 44120 1694 889 201000 2017 76720 17480 32730 26365 1171 1453 155500 2017 36610 14040 29870 21060 1057 1440 115395 2017 116700 20930 35570 31670 1285 1466 196100

206 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 4.3.3.3. Estimated 2SW salmon spawners (medians, 5th percentile, 95th percentile) to the six geographic areas and overall for NAC, 1970 to 2017. Returns for Scotia-Fundy do not include those from SFA 22 and a portion of SFA 23.

Median estimates of spawners of 2SW salmon 5th percentile of estimates of spawners 95th percentile of estimates of spawners Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC Year 1-LAB 2-NFLD 3-QC 4-GF 5-SF 6-USA 7-NAC 1970 9525 3232 28580 9980 6499 NA NA 1970 4415 2309 23440 8144 4705 NA NA 1970 16400 4171 33720 11780 8288 NA NA 1971 13935 2975 14760 10390 7096 490 49700 1971 6581 2085 12130 8247 5612 486 41180 1971 23810 3873 17450 12540 8544 494 60390 1972 12025 3140 28920 29170 10420 1038 85010 1972 5653 2215 23720 22350 8737 1029 72950 1972 20380 4068 34120 36060 12050 1047 97431 1973 16215 3830 29360 32280 6680 1100 89870 1973 7511 2778 24160 25310 5527 1090 76510 1973 27950 4903 34710 39110 7856 1110 104600 1974 16120 3136 35775 48930 14090 1147 119700 1974 7605 2424 29380 38870 11930 1137 103400 1974 27910 3848 42230 58970 16240 1157 136700 1975 15530 4709 29840 28830 16360 1942 97490 1975 7491 3439 24420 22660 13840 1925 84450 1975 26580 5950 35190 35100 18830 1959 111900 1976 17455 3976 28390 24070 15500 1126 90870 1976 8173 2997 23200 18390 12930 1116 77320 1976 30170 4968 33430 29770 18140 1136 106000 1977 14970 2765 40720 51540 18860 643 129950 1977 6698 2183 33410 39969 15680 637 112200 1977 25950 3361 48030 62930 21990 649 147805 1978 12030 3049 37450 15990 9432 3314 81400 1978 5483 2473 30620 12000 7937 3284 70150 1978 20630 3624 44070 19900 10910 3344 93370 1979 6671 1618 16050 5760 6671 1509 38350 1979 2908 1232 13130 4388 5661 1495 32920 1979 11630 1998 18890 7165 7699 1523 44400 1980 16615 3264 44440 31470 21300 4263 121800 1980 7655 2638 36470 24590 17700 4225 106000 1980 28290 3884 52510 38270 24940 4301 138200 1981 15140 6605 32725 9745 10370 4334 79070 1981 7181 5105 26770 5799 8236 4295 67229 1981 25700 8073 38520 13700 12500 4373 92360 1982 10940 2780 33150 21170 7806 4643 80830 1982 5070 2162 27190 12180 6191 4602 67049 1982 18780 3373 39030 30360 9434 4685 94910 1983 7981 3282 21630 13970 4198 1769 53120 1983 3683 2660 17750 8468 2645 1753 44120 1983 13630 3899 25570 19470 5747 1785 62210 1984 5562 3185 27060 25900 17530 2547 81975 1984 2462 2277 24860 17230 14590 2524 71490 1984 9659 4070 29260 34760 20460 2570 92610 1985 4450 2729 25890 34825 24660 4883 97530 1985 2019 1902 23120 24200 20500 4840 85250 1985 7659 3570 28740 45670 28730 4928 110000 1986 7772 3220 29670 55590 18420 5571 120400 1986 3546 2362 26720 38810 15260 5519 102300 1986 13300 4114 32570 71740 21540 5620 138400 1987 10305 2339 26320 33790 12230 2781 88150 1987 4819 1634 23820 23820 10250 2756 75580 1987 17950 3019 28870 43810 14190 2806 101100 1988 6200 3395 31500 41190 10330 3038 95890 1988 2645 2412 28180 29589 8529 3011 82779 1988 10910 4390 34850 52490 12110 3065 108800 1989 6173 1681 30070 26870 14300 2800 82060 1989 2839 1245 27350 19260 12100 2775 72670 1989 10730 2121 32760 34420 16550 2825 91550 1990 3454 2671 29900 35735 11010 4356 87100 1990 1523 1986 26660 24989 9276 4317 75430 1990 6066 3350 33030 46340 12750 4395 98950 1991 1774 2042 24110 35025 11660 2416 77110 1991 832 1560 21420 23750 9817 2394 65200 1991 3046 2534 26790 45830 13500 2438 88640 1992 6710 8082 23580 36670 10840 2292 88510 1992 3213 5363 20770 30900 9188 2272 80040 1992 11890 10810 26380 42531 12460 2313 97230 1993 9064 4337 18230 42540 6929 2065 83665 1993 5513 3185 16900 22630 6057 2047 62709 1993 14740 5448 19540 62820 7805 2084 104500 1994 12475 3872 17850 29550 4388 1344 69850 1994 7970 2743 16550 23340 3897 1332 61230 1994 19781 4987 19140 35770 4876 1356 79390 1995 24975 3698 25280 39050 6452 1748 101700 1995 17620 2450 23860 33230 5647 1732 91290 1995 36700 4973 26670 44950 7293 1764 114400 1996 18250 5479 21930 28430 8383 2407 85420 1996 13050 3916 20300 22090 7319 2385 76010 1996 27261 7073 23530 34660 9458 2429 96070 1997 15950 5892 18140 23170 3972 1611 69120 1997 11320 4139 16820 17410 3539 1596 60890 1997 23530 7627 19450 28850 4407 1625 78420 1998 8612 6365 16810 15820 2272 1526 51420 1998 5057 4410 15520 12320 2073 1512 45790 1998 12280 8249 18100 19360 2471 1540 57170 1999 10260 6208 20390 15220 3735 1168 56960 1999 5977 4316 18810 12240 3459 1158 50920 1999 14700 8083 21970 18090 4008 1179 62990 2000 14120 6214 19530 16500 2180 1587 60120 2000 8220 4383 17410 13570 1968 1573 52860 2000 20190 8050 21620 19360 2394 1601 67580 2001 14880 2435 20020 26160 4005 1491 68970 2001 8712 1660 18150 22460 3656 1478 61230 2001 21200 3215 21960 29910 4358 1504 76750 2002 10860 2389 15130 13590 787 511 43230 2002 6217 1560 13480 11030 718 506 37430 2002 15660 3204 16800 16150 853 516 49190 2003 9144 3307 24665 25230 3120 1192 66595 2003 4624 2164 22280 20630 2803 1181 59430 2003 13640 4442 27040 29730 3435 1203 73730 2004 10750 3255 20550 24740 2574 1283 63270 2004 7265 2036 18690 19650 2352 1271 56470 2004 14620 4466 22400 29830 2795 1295 70040 2005 13550 4344 20525 25290 1587 1088 66390 2005 7709 2471 18830 20400 1440 1078 58140 2005 19500 6156 22160 30260 1736 1098 74700 2006 13600 5284 19030 21720 2397 1419 63465 2006 8439 3491 17450 17480 2146 1406 56240 2006 18970 7090 20620 25960 2640 1432 70880 2007 14070 4094 17230 21810 1282 1189 59570 2007 8186 2559 15670 18140 1164 1178 52230 2007 20230 5610 18720 25480 1395 1200 67330 2008 16890 3797 21780 17940 2961 2809 66175 2008 10170 2371 19430 13720 2636 2783 57380 2008 23920 5193 24060 22100 3279 2834 74940 2009 25360 4566 20950 23120 2547 2292 78900 2009 13230 2754 19220 19250 2313 2271 65800 2009 37720 6369 22730 26960 2784 2312 92270 2010 11990 4581 23380 19430 1882 1482 62800 2010 7296 3054 21500 15490 1706 1469 55910 2010 16870 6056 25220 23400 2058 1495 69830 2011 37325 3629 29400 51840 4564 3872 130500 2011 21270 2333 27170 40390 4108 3837 110100 2011 53730 4890 31660 63260 5003 3907 151500 2012 21775 2268 20780 18670 1031 2020 66570 2012 13230 1590 19070 15170 917 2002 56960 2012 30680 2943 22510 22250 1142 2038 76410 2013 41410 4756 23620 24390 2908 5242 102200 2013 25450 3000 21810 18870 2555 5195 85110 2013 57990 6506 25420 29870 3266 5290 120000 2014 39940 2823 12740 16410 672 566 73270 2014 24890 1882 11760 12680 598 561 57560 2014 55720 3767 13720 20200 746 571 89510 2015 57300 4774 22360 23220 670 1509 109900 2015 34840 3201 20580 18480 604 1495 86710 2015 81330 6419 24110 27910 738 1523 134400 2016 46475 3590 23950 26060 1491 878 102400 2016 25470 2258 21920 19540 1333 870 79970 2016 68220 4893 25940 32480 1649 886 125400 2017 49700 2604 23890 18740 1119 1438 97400 2017 23610 1653 21810 14810 1009 1425 71300 2017 76150 3545 25970 22600 1225 1451 124700

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 207

Table 4.3.4.1. Time-series of stocks in Canada and the USA with established CLs, the number of rivers assessed, and the number and percent of assessed rivers meeting CLs, 1991 to 2017. In 2016, Québec implemented a new Atlantic salmon management plan, which changed their river-specific LRP values (Dionne et al., 2015)

Year Canada USA No. CLs No. assessed No. met % met No. CLs No. assessed No. met % met

1991 74 64 34 53

1992 74 64 38 59

1993 74 69 30 43

1994 74 72 28 39 1995 74 74 36 49 33 16 0 0 1996 74 76 44 58 33 16 0 0 1997 266 91 38 42 33 16 0 0 1998 266 83 38 46 33 16 0 0 1999 269 82 40 49 33 16 0 0 2000 269 81 31 38 33 16 0 0 2001 269 78 29 37 33 16 0 0 2002 269 80 21 26 33 16 0 0 2003 269 79 33 42 33 16 0 0 2004 269 75 39 52 33 16 0 0 2005 269 70 31 44 33 16 0 0 2006 269 65 29 45 33 16 0 0 2007 269 61 23 38 33 16 0 0 2008 269 68 29 43 33 16 0 0 2009 375 70 32 46 33 16 0 0 2010 375 68 31 46 33 16 0 0 2011 458 75 50 67 33 16 0 0 2012 472 74 32 43 33 16 0 0 2013 473 75 46 61 33 16 0 0 2014 476 69 20 29 33 16 0 0 2015 476 74 43 58 33 16 0 0 2016 476 62 41 66 33 16 0 0

2017 476 68 42 62 33 16 0 0

208 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 4.3.5.1. Return rates (%), by year of smolt migration, of wild Atlantic salmon to 1SW (or small) salmon to North American rivers, 1991 to 2016 smolt migration years. The year 1991 was selected for illustration as it is the first year of the commercial fishery moratorium for the island of Newfoundland.

SMOLT USA Scotia-Fundy Gulf Québec Nfld

YEAR

S '

EAN RINITE

J T IRAMIC IRAMCIH ARY

AVE

H .M

IDDLE ARGAREE IRAMICHI ARRAGUAGU ASHWAAK IGHLANDS ONNE OCKY AMPBELLTO

EC SCIEEC REPASSEY A T AINT

N S N L S M M NWM HI SWM I M À LA BARBE S B LA DE H C R NE T C N WAB

1991 0.6 0.5 1.2 1.6 3.4 3.1 2.6 3.6 1992 0.5 0.4 1.3 0.8 4.0 3.7 4.7 6.1 1993 0.4 0.3 0.9 0.7 1.5 2.7 3.1 5.4 9.0 7.1 1994 0.3 1.2 0.6 1.6 5.8 3.9 8.5 7.3 8.9 1995 0.6 1.4 0.9 1.6 7.2 4.7 9.2 8.1 8.1 1996 1.5 0.3 0.6 3.2 3.4 3.1 2.9 3.4 3.5 1997 0.04 4.3 1.7 1.4 2.9 2.5 5.0 5.3 7.2 1998 0.21 2.9 2.0 0.3 1.4 2.5 3.4 2.7 4.9 6.1 6.1 1999 0.31 1.8 4.8 3.0 0.3 0.4 0.6 8.1 3.2 5.9 3.8 11.1 2000 0.28 1.5 1.2 4.9 0.5 0.3 0.6 2.5 3.1 3.2 6.0 4.4 2001 0.16 3.1 2.7 6.6 8.6 7.9 0.5 0.6 3.0 2.9 7.1 5.3 9.2 2002 0.00 1.9 2.0 1.5 2.4 3.0 3.0 0.6 0.9 2.4 4.0 5.5 6.8 9.4 2003 0.08 6.4 1.8 1.6 4.1 6.8 5.9 0.6 0.6 5.3 3.8 6.6 7.8 9.5 2004 0.08 5.1 1.1 0.9 2.6 1.8 2.0 0.7 1.0 2.5 3.3 4.4 11.4 5.9 2005 0.24 12.7 8.0 3.0 1.1 3.6 0.4 1.5 4.0 2.2 5.5 9.2 15.1 2006 0.09 1.8 1.5 0.7 0.7 1.4 1.5 1.5 0.3 3.3 1.3 2.7 5.6 3.8 2007 0.35 5.6 2.3 2.2 1.3 1.6 0.4 1.5 4.4 5.6 5.5 11.2 11.6 2008 0.22 3.9 1.2 0.6 0.3 1.0 0.6 0.7 2.4 2.7 2.6 8.8 6.1 2009 0.26 12.4 3.5 1.0 3.3 0.8 1.9 2.5 6.8 4.9 9.5 9.6

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 209

SMOLT USA Scotia-Fundy Gulf Québec Nfld

YEAR

S '

EAN RINITE

J T IRAMIC IRAMCIH ARY

AVE

H .M

IDDLE ARGAREE IRAMICHI ARRAGUAGU ASHWAAK IGHLANDS ONNE OCKY AMPBELLTO

EC SCIEEC REPASSEY A T AINT

N S N L S M M NWM HI SWM I M À LA BARBE S B LA DE H C R NE T C N WAB 2010 0.95 7.9 1.8 1.5 0.7 2.5 2.7 5.1 5.6 11.0 7.1 2011 0.32 0.3 0.4 0.6 3.9 4.6 3.0 9.7 5.7 2012 0.00 1.6 0.4 0.4 5.3 3.7 4.0 9.3 5.2 2013 0.26 1.6 0.6 0.2 0.9 0.6 1.9 5.3 10.0 7.2

2014 0.32 2.9 0.6 0.4 0.9 1.9 4.1 8.8 8.2 2015 0.09 5.0 0.4 0.2 1.2 3.6 8.4 9.4

2016 2.8 0.7 1.1 0.2 0.5 7.7 3.7 5.7

210 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 4.3.5.2. Return rates (%), by year of smolt migration, of wild Atlantic salmon to 2SW salmon to North American rivers, 1991 to 2015 smolt migration years. The year 1991 was selected for illustration as it is the first year of the commercial fishery moratorium for the island of Newfoundland.

SMOLT USA Scotia-Fundy Gulf Québec Nfld

YEAR

S '

EAN RINITE J T IRAMIC ARY AVE

H .M

IDDLE ARGAREE IRAMCIHI IRAMICHI ARRAGUAGU ASHWAAK IGHLANDS EC SCIEEC A T AINT

N S N L S M M NWM HI SW M M À LA BARBE S B LA DE H 1991 0.6 0.9 0.4 0.6

1992 0.5 0.7 0.4 0.5

1993 0.4 0.8 0.9 0.7 1.2

1994 0.9 1.5 0.7 1.4

1995 0.9 0.4 0.5 1.3

1996 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.9

1997 0.87 0.4 1.1 1.2

1998 0.28 0.7 0.3 0.4 0.7 1.1

1999 0.53 0.8 0.9 1.2 0.7 0.2 0.7

2000 0.17 0.3 0.1 0.5 1.2 0.1 0.7

2001 0.85 0.9 0.6 0.6 3.3 2.3 0.9 0.3

2002 0.58 1.3 0.5 6.2 0.7 1.4 1.3 0.9 0.5

2003 1.01 1.6 0.2 3.9 0.9 2.0 1.6 1.4 0.2

2004 0.98 1.3 0.3 3.0 0.5 0.8 0.7 1.1 0.7

2005 0.73 1.5 0.5 0.3 2.3 1.1 0.6 0.5

2006 0.74 0.6 0.4 0.1 3.0 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.5

2007 2.07 1.3 0.2 0.1 2.1 0.8 0.5 0.3

2008 0.65 2.1 0.3 2.4 0.7 1.8 0.5

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 211

SMOLT USA Scotia-Fundy Gulf Québec Nfld

YEAR

S '

EAN RINITE J T IRAMIC ARY AVE

H .M

IDDLE ARGAREE IRAMCIHI IRAMICHI ARRAGUAGU ASHWAAK IGHLANDS EC SCIEEC A T AINT

N S N L S M M NWM HI SW M M À LA BARBE S B LA DE H 2009 1.80 3.3 0.9 5.7 2.2 1.9 0.8

2010 0.24 0.4 0.2 1.0 0.6

2011 0.56 1.0 1.7 0.3

2012 1.02 0.3 0.6 0.1

2013 1.91 0.5 0.2 1.7 1.9 0.3

2014 0.51 0.6 0.2 1.5 1.2 0.6

2015 0.62 1.2 0.4 2.0 0.4

212 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 4.3.5.3. Return rates (%), by year of smolt migration, of hatchery Atlantic salmon to 1SW salmon to North American rivers, 1991 to 2016 smolt migration years. The year 1991 was selected for illustration as it is the first year of the commercial fishery moratorium for Newfoundland.

SMOLT USA Scotia Fundy Gulf Québec

YEAR

OHN - HEET J S

OCHER

AVE R H

ERRIMACK ORELL ILL EST ALLEY ONNECTIC ENOBSCOT AINT A AST ISCOMB

C UT P M S L E L M M W V FIELD AUX S 1991 0.00 0.14 0.01 0.69 4.51 0.15 0.50 3.16 0.48 0.43

1992 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.41 1.26 0.21 0.42 1.43 0.44 2.16 0.70 0.07 1993 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.39 0.62 0.32 0.56 0.14 0.37 0.02 0.10 1994 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.66 1.44 0.36 0.35 5.20 0.11 0.08 0.02 1995 0.08 0.02 1.14 2.26 0.37 0.64 0.07 1996 0.04 0.02 0.56 0.47 0.07 0.17 0.31 1997 0.04 0.02 0.75 0.87 0.03 0.15 0.46 1998 0.04 0.09 0.47 0.34 0.05 0.10 1.04 1999 0.03 0.05 0.46 0.79 0.23 0.32 2000 0.00 0.04 0.01 0.27 0.43 0.03 1.15 2001 0.07 0.06 0.45 0.87 0.02 2002 0.04 0.02 0.34 0.63 0.07 2003 0.00 0.05 0.03 0.32 0.72 2004 0.00 0.05 0.02 0.39 0.53 2005 0.02 0.06 0.02 0.56 2006 0.00 0.04 0.02 0.24 2007 0.01 0.13 0.01 0.83 2008 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.13 2009 0.00 0.07 0.03 1.44

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 213

SMOLT USA Scotia Fundy Gulf Québec

YEAR

OHN - HEET J S

OCHER

AVE R H

ERRIMACK ORELL ILL EST ALLEY ONNECTIC ENOBSCOT AINT A AST ISCOMB

C UT P M S L E L M M W V FIELD AUX S 2010 0.01 0.12 0.18 0.12 2011 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 2012 0.01 0.00 0.67 2013 0.02 0.01 0.11 2014 0.02 0.24 2015 0.06 0.11

2016 0.05 0.54

214 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 4.3.5.4. Return rates (%), by year of smolt migration, of hatchery Atlantic salmon to 2SW salmon to North American rivers, 1991 to 2015 smolt migration years. The year 1991 was selected for illustration as it is the first year of the commercial fishery moratorium for Newfoundland.

SMOLT USA Scotia Fundy Gulf Québec

YEAR

OHN - HEET J S

OCHERS

AVE R H ERRIMACK ORELL ILL EST ALLEY ONNECTICU ENOBSCOT AINT A AST ISCOMB

C T P M S L E L M M W V FIELD AUX 1991 0.04 0.19 0.02 0.15 0.48 0.00 0.05 0.04 0.00 0.13

1992 0.08 0.08 0.00 0.22 0.24 0.01 0.03 0.07 0.00 0.05 0.06 0.06 1993 0.04 0.19 0.03 0.19 0.21 0.02 0.03 0.31 0.91 0.01 0.19 1994 0.04 0.22 0.05 0.27 0.23 0.06 0.02 0.05 1995 0.16 0.06 0.19 0.23 0.00 0.03 0.04 1996 0.14 0.09 0.08 0.13 0.01 0.07 1997 0.10 0.11 0.20 0.17 0.01 0.08 1998 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.11 0.00 0.09 1999 0.08 0.13 0.16 0.21 0.00 0.02 2000 0.01 0.06 0.03 0.05 0.07 0.01 2001 0.16 0.26 0.15 0.13 0.02 2002 0.17 0.18 0.11 0.17 2003 0.00 0.12 0.05 0.06 0.09 2004 0.03 0.12 0.13 0.09 0.11 2005 0.02 0.10 0.10 0.12 2006 0.02 0.23 0.15 0.06 2007 0.02 0.30 0.08 0.17 2008 0.01 0.15 0.05 0.16

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 215

SMOLT USA Scotia Fundy Gulf Québec

YEAR

OHN - HEET J S

OCHERS

AVE R H ERRIMACK ORELL ILL EST ALLEY ONNECTICU ENOBSCOT AINT A AST ISCOMB

C T P M S L E L M M W V FIELD AUX 2009 0.04 0.39 0.17 0.13 2010 0.00 0.09 0.11 0.07 2011 0.01 0.05 0.02 0.02 2012 0.03 0.08 0.10 2013 0.10 0.02 0.02 2014 0.04 0.09

2015 0.12 0.04

216 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 4.3.6.1. Estimates (medians, 5th percentiles, 95th percentiles) of Prefishery Abundance (PFA) for 1SW maturing salmon, 1SW non-maturing salmon, and the total cohort of 1SW salmon by year (August 1 of the second summer at sea) for NAC for the years of Prefishery Abundance, 1971 to 2016.

Median 5th percentile 95th percentile Year of PFA 1SW cohort 1SW non-maturing 1SW maturing Year of PFA 1SW cohort 1SW non-maturing 1SW maturing Year of PFA 1SW cohort 1SW non-maturing 1SW maturing 1971 1239000 703700 535400 1971 1170000 639600 501300 1971 1311000 767300 575600 1972 1257000 724000 532400 1972 1201000 671300 502600 1972 1319000 782000 564905 1973 1569000 901300 666900 1973 1486000 820500 636895 1973 1655000 987205 697100 1974 1512000 812400 699400 1974 1446000 751495 661795 1974 1583000 876800 739700 1975 1704000 904700 798300 1975 1628000 842200 746000 1975 1790000 974600 861400 1976 1635000 836100 797950 1976 1557000 767295 752700 1976 1720000 910400 848805 1977 1305000 668100 636100 1977 1237000 606400 595500 1977 1375000 729105 681405 1978 807700 396900 410500 1978 771100 369200 383000 1978 846000 426905 439000 1979 1428000 837300 589500 1979 1356000 771900 556895 1979 1504000 908305 623200 1980 1545000 711800 832000 1980 1477000 656100 781295 1980 1620000 773300 891700 1981 1579000 667000 911800 1981 1507000 621600 850700 1981 1660000 715900 981605 1982 1327000 560600 765900 1982 1267000 523995 715800 1982 1390000 599900 820800 1983 846200 334400 511100 1983 805800 305000 479300 1983 889400 366200 545900 1984 892200 352800 538700 1984 846300 321900 504895 1984 939200 386505 572900 1985 1183000 525800 656200 1985 1125000 484395 614900 1985 1245000 571700 699900 1986 1393000 559800 833050 1986 1322950 512300 777500 1986 1466000 609800 890005 1987 1310000 508700 800300 1987 1252000 472100 748800 1987 1373000 548105 858000 1988 1263000 414900 848150 1988 1197000 382900 787800 1988 1332000 449200 911205 1989 920700 326900 593800 1989 875500 298800 556600 1989 969505 357100 634205 1990 850600 289600 560500 1990 808000 265600 525795 1990 895200 316905 595400 1991 737100 322600 414500 1991 704000 300400 389500 1991 771505 345900 440000 1992 786700 210600 576400 1992 729895 178100 530595 1992 847105 245100 623300 1993 695300 150000 544700 1993 628595 133100 482200 1993 761100 169200 607000 1994 513800 185300 328000 1994 476900 164295 299700 1994 552100 210500 356400 1995 562700 182000 380200 1995 520895 164000 343400 1995 607100 203200 418205 1996 710550 154800 555200 1996 652200 139300 500395 1996 770800 173400 612400 1997 468600 106700 361500 1997 433500 96350 329000 1997 510805 118800 402200 1998 540400 98440 441600 1998 485300 87420 389100 1998 594300 110700 493000 1999 546300 103500 442200 1999 491200 90840 390195 1999 600800 117700 494500 2000 642300 117900 524200 2000 577200 103800 462100 2000 706705 133600 585400 2001 467450 81450 385700 2001 416900 71640 337000 2001 518400 92190 434900 2002 497100 110600 386300 2002 452400 97110 345200 2002 541105 125400 427200 2003 528000 107600 420100 2003 487100 95200 382700 2003 568800 121600 457000 2004 559400 111800 447300 2004 522700 97660 415395 2004 597300 127400 480900 2005 653800 106900 546250 2005 575500 93690 470800 2005 731400 121200 623105 2006 652800 101800 550350 2006 571900 88810 471400 2006 732900 116200 629305 2007 586900 113400 472700 2007 519800 98690 409395 2007 654300 129200 538000 2008 727000 132900 594000 2008 657800 112295 528900 2008 797100 156000 658100 2009 506800 108900 397300 2009 450195 96660 342500 2009 563000 122900 452300 2010 742000 210000 531600 2010 684700 177000 487900 2010 800200 245700 575500 2011 755800 113600 642500 2011 649500 97660 536900 2011 865300 131200 748800 2012 675900 163500 511400 2012 601595 136300 445300 2012 751700 193700 580005 2013 536500 126100 409300 2013 460600 102800 340900 2013 611505 152100 478205 2014 688700 182200 506200 2014 589400 147100 417895 2014 784905 221505 590100 2015 827750 172400 655200 2015 733495 139300 569500 2015 921500 209400 738700 2016 638250 155800 481300 2016 534300 117800 389100 2016 742700 198100 574605 2017 NA NA 389650 2017 NA NA 310600 2017 NA NA 469300

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 217

Table 4.4.2.1. Updated forecasts for 2018 (value from the 2015 assessment), expressed as the 5th and 25th percentile of the posterior distributions, for returns of 2SW salmon to regions and overall in North America, relative to the management objectives for the regions. For NAC, the objective shown is the sum of 2SW conservation limits for all regions.

Region 5th percentile 25th percentile Management objective

Labrador 21 279 40 918 34 746 (16 440) (30 340) Newfoundland 912 1 504 4022 (1 702) (2 988) Québec 15 629 21 300 29 446 (8 920) (12 780) Gulf 5 669 9 175 30 430 (7 494) (12 560) Scotia-Fundy 324 606 10 976 (236) (479) USA 126 235 4549 (183) (358)

North America 57 737 83 008 152 548 (46 240) (68 890)

Table 4.4.3.1. Probabilities that the returns of 2SW salmon to the six regions of NAC will meet or exceed the 2SW objectives for the six regions in NAC and simultaneously for all regions in the absence of fishing on the 1SW non-maturing and 2SW age groups for the 2SW salmon return years 2019 to 2021. For the 2018 return year, catches of 1SW non-maturing salmon in 2017 in Labrador and at Greenland have already occurred and are accounted for in the estimation of the probabilities of meeting the 2SW objectives for the 2018 return year.

Region 2SW Objective Probability of meeting 2SW objectives in to NAC the absence of fisheries (2SW return year) 2018 2019 2020 2021

Labrador 34 746 0.826 0.871 0.888 0.898 Newfoundland 4 022 0.100 0.308 0.289 0.392 Québec 29 446 0.391 0.387 0.271 0.316 Gulf 30 430 0.033 0.087 0.102 0.194 Scotia-Fundy 10 976 <0.001 0.001 0.000 0.003 USA 4 549 0.000 0.001 0.002 0.006

Simultaneous to North America 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

218 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 4.4.3.2. Predicted abundance (5th percentile upper table, 25th percentile middle table; median value lower table) of the 1SW non-maturing salmon at the PFA stage by region of North America for the 2018 to 2020 PFA years relative to the management objectives for the regions. The management objectives are adjusted for natural mortality for the eleven months between the PFA stage and returns to homewaters in North America. For North America, the objective shown is the sum of the 2SW conservation limits to all six regions (corrected for M by 11 months).

Objective 5th percentile of regional PFA Region (corrected for M) 2018 2019 2020

Labrador 47 955 33 109 33 677 33 144 Newfoundland 5594 1 399 1 103 1 152 Québec 40 958 18 449 12 909 11 690 Gulf 42 327 6 298 4 755 4 865 Scotia-Fundy 15 267 260 96 130 USA 6328 74 47 41

North America 212 189 84 209 75 429 78 719

Objective 25th percentile of regional PFA Region (corrected for M) 2018 2019 2020

Labrador 47 955 67 678 75 868 84 750 Newfoundland 5 594 2 720 2 333 2 598 Québec 40 958 27 648 21 140 20 885 Gulf 42 327 11 898 10 035 11 600 Scotia-Fundy 15 267 582 236 371 USA 6328 172 135 135

North America 212 189 129 700 131 900 147 775

Objective median of regional PFA Region (corrected for M) 2018 2019 2020

Labrador 47 955 108 650 131 850 157 100 Newfoundland 5 594 4 094 3 757 4 434 Québec 40 958 36 465 30 020 31 120 Gulf 42 327 18 260 16 590 20 755 Scotia-Fundy 15 267 984 432 724 USA 6328 302 265 295 North America 212 189 178 200 195 900 231 500

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 219

Figure 4.1.2.1. Map of Salmon Fishing Areas (SFAs) and Québec Management Zones (Qs) in Can- ada.

220 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 4.1.2.2. Summary of recreational fisheries management measures in Canada at the start of the season in 2017. Note: details on specific regions are available in the text and may not appear on the figure.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 221

Figure 4.1.3.1. Harvest (t) of small salmon, large salmon and both sizes combined (weight and number) for Canada, 1960 to 2017 (top panel) and 2004 to 2017 (bottom panel) by all users.

222 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 4.1.3.2. Harvest (number) of small salmon, large salmon and both sizes combined in the recreational fisheries of Canada, 1974 to 2017 (top panel) and 2004 to 2017 (bottom panel).

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 223

Figure 4.1.3.3. The number (bars) of caught and released small salmon and large salmon in the recreational fisheries of Canada, 1984 to 2017. Black lines represent the proportion released of the total catch (released and retained); small salmon (open circle), large salmon (grey circle), and both sizes combined (red diamond).

224 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 4.1.4.1. Estimates of 2SW salmon harvest equivalents (number of fish) taken at Greenland and in North America (upper panel A) and the percentages of the North American origin 2SW salmon harvest equivalents taken in various fishing areas of the North Atlantic (lower panel B), 1972 to 2017.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 225

Figure 4.1.5.1. Map of sample locations used in microsatellite baseline for Atlantic salmon in North America and the twelve defined regional groups (labelled and identified by colour).

226 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 4.1.5.2. Bayesian estimate of mixture composition of samples from the Labrador Atlantic salmon fisheries for 2015 by size group (small <63 cm, large ≥63 cm) and region (Figure 4.1.2.1: SFA 1A – North, SFA 1B – Lake Melville, and SFA 2 – South). Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 4.1.5.1. Regional assignment acronyms explained in Table 4.1.5.1. Data summarized in Table 4.1.5.2.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 227

Figure 4.1.5.3. Bayesian estimate of mixture composition of samples from the Labrador Atlantic salmon fisheries for 2016 by size group (small <63 cm, large ≥63 cm) and region (Figure 4.1.2.1: SFA 1A – North, SFA 1B – Lake Melville, and SFA 2 – South). Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 4.1.5.1. Regional assignment acronyms explained in Table 4.1.5.1. Data summarized in Table 4.1.5.2.

228 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 4.1.5.4. Bayesian estimate of mixture composition of samples from the Labrador Atlantic salmon fisheries for 2016 by size group (small <63 cm, large ≥63 cm) and region (Figure 4.1.2.1: SFA 1A – North, SFA 1B – Lake Melville, and SFA 2 – South). Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 4.1.5.1. Regional assignment acronyms explained in Table 4.1.5.1. Data summarized in Table 4.1.5.2.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 229

Figure 4.1.5.5. Bayesian mixture estimates of composition of samples from the Saint Pierre and Mi- quelon Atlantic salmon fishery using microsatellites for 2015 overall and by size group (small <63 cm, large ≥63 cm). Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 4.1.5.1. Regional assignment acronyms explained in Table 4.1.5.1. Data summarized in Table 4.1.5.3.

230 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 4.1.5.6. Bayesian mixture estimates of composition of samples from the Saint Pierre and Mi- quelon Atlantic salmon fishery using microsatellites for 2016 overall and by size group (small <63 cm, large ≥63 cm). Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 4.1.5.1. Regional assignment acronyms explained in Table 4.1.5.1. Data summarized in Table 4.1.5.3.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 231

Figure 4.1.5.7. Bayesian mixture estimates of composition of samples from the Saint Pierre and Mi- quelon Atlantic salmon fishery using microsatellites for 2017 overall and by size group (small <63 cm, large ≥63 cm). Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 4.1.5.1. Regional assignment acronyms explained in Table 4.1.5.1. Data summarized in Table 4.1.5.3.

232 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 4.1.5.8. Frequency of large (≥63 cm) and small (<63 cm) samples from the Saint Pierre and Miquelon Atlantic salmon fishery from 2004–2017. Pre-2015 data from Bradbury et al. (2016).

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 233

Figure 4.1.5.9. Changes in estimates of composition of samples from the Saint Pierre and Miquelon Atlantic salmon fishery over time from 2004–2017. Baseline locations refer to North American regional reporting groups identified in Table 4.1.5.1 and Figure 4.1.5.1. Pre-2015 data from Bradbury et al. (2016).

234 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 4.1.6.1. Exploitation rates in North America on the North American stock complex of small and large salmon, 1971 to 2017. The symbols are the median and the error bars are the 5th to 95th percentiles of the distributions from Monte Carlo simulation.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 235

Figure 4.3.1.1Time-series of wild smolt production from eleven monitored rivers in eastern Canada and one river in eastern USA, 1970 to 2017. Smolt production is expressed as a proportion of the conservation egg requirements for the river. The Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources began monitoring smolts on Middle River (Scotia-Fundy) in 2011, and smolt population estimates are available for 2013–2017.

236 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

English River (SFA 1) English River (SFA 1) . . 900 300 800 250 700 600 200 500 150 400 300 100 200 50 Large Salmon (No.) SalmonLarge (No.) SmallSalmon (No.) 100 0 0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Year

Southwest Brook (SFA 2) Southwest Brook (SFA 2) 1400 100

1200 80 1000 60 800

600 40 400 Large SalmonLarge (No.) Small Salmon (No.) 20 200

0 0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

1000 Muddy Bay Brook (SFA 2) 100 Muddy Bay Brook (SFA 2)

800 80

600 60

400 40

Large SalmonLarge (No.) 20

Small Salmon (No.) 200

Sand Hill River (SFA 2) Sand Hill River (SFA 2) 12000 1400

10000 1200 1000 8000 800 6000 600 4000 400 Small Salmon (No.) SalmonSmall (No.) 2000 SalmonLarge (No.) 200

Year Year

Figure 4.3.2.1. Total returns of small salmon (left column) and large salmon (right column) to Eng- lish River (SFA 1), Southwest Brook (Paradise River) (SFA 2), Muddy Bay Brook (SFA 2) and Sand Hill River (SFA 2), Labrador, 1994–2017. The solid horizontal line represents the pre-moratorium (commercial salmon fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador) mean, the dashed line the moratorium mean, and the triangles the previous six-year mean.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 237

Figure 4.3.2.2. Estimated (median, 5th to 95th percentile range) returns (shaded circles) and spawners (open square) of small salmon for NAC and to each of the six regions 1971 to 2017. Returns and spawners for Scotia-Fundy do not include those from SFA 22 and a portion of SFA 23.

238 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 4.3.2.3. Estimated (median, 5th to 95th percentile range) returns (shaded circles) and spawners (open square) of large salmon for NAC and to each of the six regions 1971 to 2017. Returns and spawners for Scotia-Fundy do not include those from SFA 22 and a portion of SFA 23. For USA estimated spawners exceed the estimated returns due to adult stocking restoration efforts.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 239

Figure 4.3.2.4. Estimated (median, 5th to 95th percentile range) returns (shaded circles) and spawners (open square) of 2SW salmon for NAC and to each of the six regions 1971 to 2017. The dashed line is the corresponding 2SW Conservation Limit for NAC overall and for each region; the 2SW CL for USA (29 990 fish) is off the scale in the plot for USA. The dotted line in the Scotia-Fundy and USA panels are the region specific management objectives. Returns and spawners for Scotia- Fundy do not include those from SFA 22 and a portion of SFA 23. For USA estimated spawners exceed the estimated returns due to adult stocking restoration efforts; therefore, 2SW returns are assessed relative to the management objective for USA.

240 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 55 50 Latitude ºN Latitude 45

prop. not met

prop. met 40

-70 -65 -60 -55 -50 Longitude ºW

Figure 4.3.4.1. Proportion of the conservation requirement attained in the 78 assessed rivers of the North American Commission area in 2017.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 241

Figure 4.3.4.2. Time-series for Canada and the USA showing the number of rivers with established CLs, the number rivers assessed, and the number and percent of assessed rivers meeting CLs, for the period 1991 to 2017.

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Figure 4.3.5.1. Estimated annual return rates (left and third column of panels; individual rivers are shown with different symbols and colours) and least squared (or marginal mean) average annual return rates, (with one standard error bars) (second and right column of panels) of wild origin smolts to 1SW and 2SW salmon to the geographic areas of North America. The standardized values are annual means derived from a general linear model analysis of rivers in a region. Note y-scale differences among panels. Standardized rates are not shown for regions with a single population.

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Figure 4.3.5.2. Estimated annual return rates (left and third column of panels; individual rivers are shown with different symbols and colours) and least squared (or marginal mean) average annual return rates (with one standard error bars) of hatchery origin smolts to 1SW and 2SW salmon to the geographic areas of North America. The standardized values are annual means derived from a general linear model analysis of rivers in a region. Note y-scale differences among panels. Standard- ized rates are not shown for regions with a single population.

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Figure 4.3.6.1. Estimated (median, 5th to 95th percentile range) Prefishery Abundance (PFA) for 1SW maturing, 1SW non-maturing, and total cohort of 1SW salmon for NAC, PFA years 1971 to 2016. The dashed blue horizontal line is the corresponding sum of the 2SW conservation limits for NAC (152 548), corrected for 11 months of natural mortality (205 918) against which 1SW non-maturing are assessed.

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Figure 4.3.7.1. Medians of the estimated returns (square symbol) and spawners (circle symbol) of 2SW salmon in 2017 to six regions of North America expressed as a percentage of the 2SW CLs for the four northern regions and to the rebuilding management objectives for the two southern areas. The colour shading of the symbols represents the percentage of the CL or rebuilding objective attained, with red less than 100% and green > 100%. The triangular symbols accompanying the respective returns and spawners symbols are indicated when the 5th percentiles of the estimates are below the CLs or management objective, i.e. the stocks are at risk of or suffering reduced reproductive capacity. The intensity of the red colour shading is inversely associated with the percentage of the objective attained.

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Figure 4.4.3.1.1. Median (5th to 95th percentile range) of spawners (circles) and lagged spawners (squares) of 2SW salmon to NAC overall and for each of the six regions. For spawners, year corresponds to the year of spawning. For lagged spawners, year corresponds to the year of PFA. The dashed horizontal line is the corresponding 2SW Conservation Limit for NAC overall and for each region; the 2SW CL for the US (29 990 fish) is off scale in the plot. The dotted horizontal line in Scotia-Fundy and USA panels are the region specific management objectives.

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Figure 4.4.3.1.2. Region specific PFA to LS ratio (on log scale) for PFA years 1978 to 2020. The values for 2017 (yellow shading) and for 2018 to 2020 (red shading) are predicted values. The horizontal dashed blue line is the PFA to LS ratio on the log scale of zero, which equates to a PFA to LS ratio of one. Boxplots are interpreted as follows: the dashed line is the median, the shaded rectangle is the inter-quartile range and the dashed vertical line is the 5th to 95th percentile range.

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Figure 4.4.3.1.3. Region specific (median) PFA to LS ratio (log scale) and mean over all regions (solid black line) for NAC for PFA years 1978 to 2020. The horizontal dashed blue line is the PFA to LS ratio on the log scale of zero, which equates to a PFA to LS ratio of one. The values for 2017 to 2020 are forecast values.

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Figure 4.4.3.1.4. Total PFA (number of fish X 1000; top panel) for NAC prior to exploitation and PFA to LS ratio (log scale; bottom panel) for NAC overall. The dashed blue line in the top panel is the corresponding sum of the 2SW conservation limits for NAC, corrected for eleven months of natural mortality. Boxplots are interpreted as in Figure 4.7.1.2.

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Figure 4.4.3.1.5. Region specific PFA values for PFA years 1978 to 2020. The values for 2017 (yellow shading) and f0r 2018 to 2020 (red shading) are predicted based on Lagged Spawners and forecasts of the PFA to LS ratio. The dashed blue line is the corresponding 2SW conservation limit reserve for each region. For Scotia-Fundy and US the dotted red line corresponds to the 2SW management objectives (adjusted for eleven months of natural mortality). Boxplots are interpreted as in Figure 4.7.1.2.

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Figure 4.4.3.1.6. Proportion of PFA in each region relative to overall PFA for NAC. The horizontal blue line in each panel is the average proportion of total PFA for NAC for the PFA years 1978 to 2016.

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5 Atlantic salmon in the West Greenland Commission

5.1 NASCO has requested ICES to describe the key events of the 2017 fishery The previous advice provided by ICES (2015) indicated that none of the stated management objectives would allow a mixed-stock fishery at West Greenland to take place in 2015, 2016, or 2017. The NASCO Framework of Indicators for the West Greenland Commission, run in January 2016 and January 2017, did not indicate the need for a revised analysis of catch options and therefore no new management advice was provided for the 2016 or 2017 fisheries (ICES, 2016; ICES, 2017). The Atlantic salmon fishery is regulated according to the Government of Greenland Executive Order No 12 of August 1, 2012. Since 1998, with the exception of 2001, the export of Atlantic salmon has been banned. From 2002–2011 there have been two landing categories reported for the fishery: commercial landings where licensed fishers can sell salmon to hotels, institutions and local markets and private landings where both licensed and unlicensed fishers fish for private consumption. During 2012 to 2014 (for the first time since 2001), licensed fishers were additionally allowed to land to factories and a 35 t factory quota was set by the Greenland authorities. This quota was reduced to 30 t in 2014. The quota did not apply to the commercial or private landings and the export ban persisted as the landed salmon could only be sold within Greenland. In 2015, the Government of Greenland unilaterally set a quota for all components of the fishery (private, commercial, and factory landings) to 45 t as a quota could not be agreed by all parties of the West Greenland Commission of NASCO (NASCO, 2015; see WGC(15)21). The Government of Greenland did agree that any overharvest in a particular year would result in an equal reduction in the catch limit in the following year and as a result of an overharvest in 2015, the 2016 quota was unilaterally set by Greenland to 32 t. Given the lack of overharvest in 2016, the 2017 quota was set to 45 t. The export ban persists as the landed salmon could only be sold within Greenland. Only hook, fixed gillnets and driftnets are allowed to target salmon directly and the minimum mesh size has been 140 mm (stretched mesh) since 1985. Fishing seasons have varied from year to year, but in general the season has started in August and continued until the quota has been met or until a specified date later in the season, typically the end of October. From 2005–2014, the fishing season has been from 1 Au- gust to 31 October. Starting in 2015, the Government of Greenland delayed the opening of the fishery until 15 August with a closing date of 31 October. In 2017, the closing date of the salmon season was extended to 10:00 pm 01 November due to bad weather. In 2015, factory landings were only allowed from 9 October to the end of the season on 31 October. Factory landings were not allowed in 2016 or 2017.

5.1.1 Catch and effort in 2017 Catch data were collated from fisher reports. The reports were screened for errors and missing values. Catches were assigned to NAFO/ICES area based on the reporting community. Reports which contained only the total number of salmon caught or the total catch weight without the number of salmon, were corrected using 3.25 kg gutted weight per salmon. Since 2005, it has been mandatory to report gutted weights, and these have been converted to whole weight using a conversion multiplier of 1.11. In 2017, catches were distributed among the six NAFO Divisions on the west coast of Greenland and in ICES Division XIV (East Greenland) (Tables 5.1.1.1 and 5.1.1.2; Fig- ure 5.1.1.1). A total catch of 28.0 t of salmon was reported for the 2017 fishery compared

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to 27.1 t in the 2016 fishery. For West Greenland only, 27.8 t were reported in 2017 and 25.7 t in 2016. A harvest of 0.3 t was reported from East Greenland in 2017, accounting for 1.0% of the total reported catch. Harvest reported for East Greenland is not included in assessments of the contributing stock complexes, owing to a lack of information on the stock composition of that fishery. Catches of Atlantic salmon decreased until the closure of the export commercial fishery in 1998. The internal use only fishery has generally increased since that time with a peak of 58 t reported landed in 2014. Re- ported landings remained at that level in 2015 (57 t) but the internal use only fishery decreased to 27 t in 2016 and 28 t in 2017 (Figure 5.1.1.2). Of the total catch (28.0 t), 15.3 t was reported as being commercial and 12.7 t for private consumption (Table 5.1.1.3; Figure 5.1.1.2). Private landings (from licensed and unlicensed fishers combined) were lower than the 2016 total (18.4 t), whereas the commercial landings increased over the 2016 total (8.7 t). A total of 89% (24.9 t) of the reported landings came from licensed fishers and 11% (3.1 t) came from unlicensed fishers (Table 5.1.1.3). For private landings, 24% (3.1 t) came from unlicensed fishers and 76% (9.7 t) were reported by licensed fishers. Alt- hough not allowed to sell their catch, 0.1% (32 kg, approximately ten fish) of the commercial landings was reported as coming from unlicensed fishers. There is currently no quantitative approach for estimating the unreported catch for the private fishery, but the 2017 value is likely to have been at the same level proposed in recent years (10 t), as reported by the Greenlandic authorities. The 10 t estimate was historically meant to account for private non-licensed fishers in smaller communities fishing for personal consumption, but not reporting landings. This estimate was not meant to represent underreporting by commercial fishers. The Working Group previously did not have a method for estimating unreported catch from commercial fishers until recently with the implementation of official comparisons of the sampling program statistics and reported landings as well as the implementation of the phone survey. An adjustment for some unreported catch, primarily for commercial landings, has been done since 2002 by comparing the weight of salmon seen by the sampling teams and the corresponding community-specific reported landings for the entire fishing season (commercial and private landings combined, see Section 5.1.2). However, sampling only occurs during a portion of the fishing season and therefore these adjustments are considered minimum adjustments for unreported catch. The seasonal distribution of catches has previously been reported to the Working Group (ICES, 2002). However, since 2002, this has not been possible. Although fishers are required to record daily catches, previous comparisons of returned catch reports suggest that many fishers do not provide daily statistics. The seasonal distribution for factory landings, when allowed, is assumed to be accurate given the reporting structure in place between the factories and the Greenland Fisheries Licence Control Au- thority (GFLK). The Working Group is aware of the updated reporting requirements starting with the 2015 fishery and they reported on the seasonal distributions of catches for the 2016 fishery (ICES, 2017). The Working Group did receive information on the seasonal distributions of catches for the 2017 fishery (Figure 5.1.1.3), although 19% of the reported landings were not identified by standard week. In 2016, the reported landings did seem to reflect general spatial/temporal patterns of the fishery (early reported landings in the southern regions (1D–1F), later reported landings in the northern regions (1A–1C), low landings in the northernmost regions (1A–1B)). The reported landings in 2017 were relatively consistent across the entire fishery ranging from 2–12% across all standard

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weeks with the peak of 12% (78% coming from NAFO Division 1D) being reported in the 1st week of the fishing season (week 33; 13–19 August). However, given the recent changes in the reporting requirements and the uncertainty of the accuracy of the data, the Working Group did not formally compare reported landings by standard week and community to the sampling data to evaluate if non-reporting was evident. Greenland Authorities issued 282 licences (Table 5.1.1.4) and received 631 reports from 143 fishers in 2017 compared to 503 reports from 143 fishers and 263 licences in 2016 and 938 reports from 189 fishers and 310 licences in 2015. The number of licences issued, the number of fishers who reported, and the number of reports received increased slightly from 2016. These levels remain well below the 400 to 600 people reporting landings in the commercial export fishery from 1987 to 1991. The total number of fishers reporting catches from all areas has increased from a low of 41 in 2002 to its current level. The number of licences issued has risen since 2003 as has the number of fishers reporting catches (Figure 5.1.1.4). Over this same time period, the number of reports received has also increased slightly with one large increase noted in 2015. The Working Group notes that the number of licensed fishers reporting has remained relatively stable whereas the number of unlicensed fishers reporting has decreased from a high of 100 in 2010 to 50 in 2017. The Working Group previously reported on the procedures for reporting salmon harvested in Greenland (ICES, 2014) and modifications to these procedures were made by the Government of Greenland in 2015. In summary, private and commercial landings are required to be reported to GFLK by e-mail, phone, fax, or return logbook on a daily basis. Factory landings, when allowed, are submitted to GFLK either on a daily or weekly basis, depending on the likelihood of exceeding a quota. No modifications to reporting procedures were noted for 2017. Similar information is requested for factory, commercial and private fisher landings. Requested data includes fishing date, location, and information on catch and effort required for the calculation of catch per unit of effort statistics. These types of data allow for a more accurate characterization and assessment of the nature and extent of the fishery than is currently available. The Working Group did not receive any detailed statistics beyond reported landings and licence related information by community and NAFO Divisions and therefore could not further characterize and assess the fishery beyond what is currently presented. The Working Group has previously been informed that this level of detail is often lacking from commercial and private landing reports. The variations in the numbers of people reporting catches, variation in reported landings in each of the NAFO Divisions and documentation of underreporting of landings (ICES, 2017) suggest that there are inconsistencies in the catch data and highlights the need for better landings data. The Working Group recommends that efforts to improve the reporting system of catch in the Greenland fishery continue and that detailed statistics related to spatially and temporally explicit catch and effort data for both licensed and unlicensed fishers should be made available to the Working Group for analysis.

5.1.2 Results of phone surveys The Working Group was informed that a phone survey to gain further information on the 2017 fishery was initiated, but only nine interviews were conducted and no results or analyses were presented. Phone surveys were previously conducted in 2015, 2016, and 2017 to assess the 2014, 2015, and 2016 fisheries, respectively. The number of fishers contacted, the questions asked, and the method to estimate unreported catch dif- fered from year to year. In 2015, attempts were made to contact all licensed fishers,

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both those who reported and those who did not report catches in 2014 (ICES, 2015). In 2016, a subset of licensed fishers who did not report catches was contacted (ICES, 2016). In 2017, fishers who reported catches and who did not report catches were surveyed, although sample size was low (ICES, 2017). An overview of the results from these surveys is presented in Table 5.1.2.1. The Working Group acknowledges the analyses of the information from the previous post-season telephone surveys. The ‘adjusted landings (survey)’ of 12.2 t in 2014, 5.0 t in 2015, and 4.2 t in 2016 have been added to the ‘adjusted landings (sampling)’ as described in Section 5.1, and ‘reported landings’ for use in ‘landings for assessment’. No adjustment is available for the 2017 fishery. This is a deviation from the practice initiated in 2014 to further capture unreported harvest and as such, the ‘landings for assessment’ should be considered an underestimate compared to 2014–2016. A summary of the reported landings, adjusted landings (sampling), and adjusted landings (survey) is presented in Table 5.1.2.2. Adjusted landings for assessment do not replace the official reported statistics. For the assessment the unreported catch of 10 t provided by the Government of Greenland is also included as described in Section 5.1.1. The Working Group notes that it is possible that the adjusted landings (sampling) and the adjusted landings (survey) may be identifying similar aspects of unreported catch. However, without more detailed information on the seasonal distribution of landings, it is not possible to further disentangle the two unreported catch estimates. The Working Group also notes that the lack of a complete and thorough phone survey in 2018, to assess the 2017 fishery, prevents an adjusted landings (survey) estimate from being generated. The Working Group recommends continuation of the phone survey programme according to a standardized and consistent annual approach with consideration given to surveying a larger proportion of licensed fishers and the inclusion of the non-licensed fishers. Information gained on the level of total catches for this fishery will provide for a more accurate assessment of the status of stocks and assessment of risk with varying levels of harvest.

5.1.3 Exploitation An extant exploitation rate for NAC and southern NEAC non-maturing 1SW fish at West Greenland can be calculated by dividing the estimated continent of origin reported harvest of 1SW salmon at West Greenland by the PFA estimate for the corresponding year for each stock complex. Exploitation rates are available for the 1971 to 2016 PFA years (Figure 5.1.3.1). The most recent estimate of exploitation available is for the 2016 fishery as the 2017 exploitation rate estimates are dependent on the 2017 PFA estimates, which depends on 2018 2SW returns. NAC PFA estimates (Table 4.3.6.1) are provided for August of the PFA year and Southern NEAC PFA estimates (Table 3.3.4.4) are provided for January of the PFA year, the latter adjusted by eight months (January to August) of natural mortality at 0.03 per month. The 2016 NAC exploitation rate was 5.4%, which is lower than the 2015 estimate (9.7%), and the previous five-year mean (9.2%, 2011–2015) and remains among the lowest in the time-series. NAC exploitation rate peaked in 1971 at approximately 41%. The 2016 southern NEAC exploitation rate of 0.8% is a slight increase above the previous year’s estimate (0.7%) and the previous five-year mean (0.6%, 2011–2015) and remains among the lowest in the time-series. Southern NEAC exploitation rate at Greenland peaked in 1975 at 33.6%. It should be noted that annual estimates of exploitation vary slightly from year to year as they are dependent on the output from the run-reconstruction models, which vary slightly from assessment to assessment (see Sections 4.3 and 3.3).

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5.2 International sampling programme The international sampling programme for the fishery at West Greenland agreed by the parties at NASCO continued in 2017 (NASCO, 2017; see WGC(17)8). The sampling was undertaken by participants from Canada (2), Ireland (2), UK (Scotland) (1), UK (England and Wales) (1), and USA (1). Additionally, staff from the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources assisted with coordination of the programme. Sampling began in August and continued through October. Samplers were stationed in four communities (Figure 5.1.1.1) representing four NAFO Divisions: Sisimiut (NAFO division 1B), Maniitsoq (1C), Paamiut (1E) and Qaqortoq (1F). As in previous years, no sampling occurred in the fishery in East Greenland. No sampling occurred at any factories as factory landings were not allowed in 2017. Tissue and biological samples were collected from all sampled fish. A total of 1516 salmon were observed by the sampling teams, approximately 20% by weight of the reported landings. Of this total, 1371 were sampled for biological characteristics, 145 fish were only checked for an adipose clip, and 80 were documented as being landed, but were not sampled or examined further. A total of 1369 fork lengths and weights, 1328 scale samples for age determination, and 1367 useable tissue samples for DNA analysis to determine the continent and region-specific origin of the fish were collected (Table 5.2.1). A subsample of 986 genetic samples were processed for continent of origin analysis. A total of 23 adipose fin clipped fish were recorded, two of which contained coded wire tags (one each from the Burrishoole and Bundorragha Rivers, Northwest Ireland) and two contained visual implant elastomer tags (both from the Penobscot River, USA). Five additional tags, all of Canadian origin, were also recovered in 2017. Some of these tags were from historical releases and the release details are still to be collated from the original paper records. Starting in 2002, unreporting of harvest was evident based on a comparison of reported landings to the sample data. In at least one of the NAFO Divisions where international samplers were present, the sampling team observed more fish than were reported as being landed for the whole season. When there is this type of discrepancy, the reported landings are adjusted according to the total weight of the fish identified as being landed (Adjusted landings (sampling)) during the sampling effort and these adjusted landings are carried forward for assessments. Adjusted landings do not replace the official reported statistics (Tables 5.1.1.1 and 5.1.1.2). The time-series of reported landings and subsequent adjusted landings (sampling) for 2002–2017 are presented in Table 5.2.2. In all years, with the exception of 2006, 2011, and 2015, discrepancies were identified. In 2017, the discrepancy was minor (277 kg) and restricted to Sisimiut. It should be noted that samplers were only stationed within selected communities for 2–6 weeks in total per year whereas the fishing season runs for 10–12 weeks. It is not possible to correct for misreporting for an entire fishing season or area given the discrepancy in sampling coverage vs. fishing season without more accurate daily/weekly catch statistics. Landings for assessment are presented in Table 5.1.2.2. Landings in Nuuk averaged 16% of the total reported landings over the past ten years (2008–2017) and were 23% in 2017. As reported previously (ICES, 2012), access to fish in support of the sampling programme in Nuuk had in previous years been compromised. In 2015, the conditions attached to a salmon fishing licence were modified and a requirement of allowing samplers access to landed catch was included. However,

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given the difficulty and cost associated with samplers participating in the sampling programme and potentially being denied access to fish, no commitment was made to send an international sampler to Nuuk in 2017. As part of the international sampling programme agreed to by NASCO (NASCO, 2017; see WGC(17)8) the Government of Greenland, in cooperation with the Greenland In- stitute of Natural Resources, agreed to provide a local sampler to sample Atlantic salmon from Nuuk on a weekly basis during the 2017 fishing season. Unfortunately, only a small number of samples were collected late in the fishing season. These samples and data have not been provided for inclusion into the sampling database. The Government of Greenland, in cooperation with the Greenland Institute of Natural Re- sources, had also agreed to provide a local sampler to sample Atlantic salmon from Nuuk on a weekly basis during the 2015 and 2016 fisheries (NASCO, 2015; NASCO, 2016), but no samples were collected in either year. Although the potential for bias exists when describing the biological characteristics of the harvest, stock assessment results, and catch advice, this potential bias is expected to be small given that sampling occurred both to the north (NAFO Division 1C) and to the south (NAFO Division 1E) of Nuuk. Regardless, the need to obtain samples from fish landed in Nuuk is reiterated given the magnitude of its reported landings.

5.2.1 Biological characteristics of the catches The mean length and whole weight of North American 1SW salmon was 66.6 cm and 3.42 kg and the means for European 1SW salmon were 64.8 cm and 3.31 kg (Table 5.2.1.1). The North American 1SW fork length estimate was approximately equal to the 2016 value (65.2 cm) and the previous ten year means (65.4 cm, 2007–2016). The Euro- pean 1SW mean fork length was above the 2016 value (62.6 cm) and was similar to the previous ten-year mean (64.4 cm, 2007–2016). North American salmon sampled from the fishery at West Greenland were predominantly river age two (31.0%), three (41.6%) and four (19.6%) year old fish (Table 5.2.1.2). European salmon were predominantly river age two (73.0%) and three (15.4%) year old fish (Table 5.2.1.3). As expected, the 1SW age group dominated the 2017 sample collection for both the North American (92.5%) and European (93.1%) origin fish (Table 5.2.1.4).

5.2.2 Continent of origin of catches at West Greenland In 2017, 1367 usable genetic samples were collected from four communities in four NAFO divisions: Sisimiut in 1B (n=474), Maniitsoq in 1C (n=478), Paamiut in 1E (n=22), and Qaqortoq in 1F (n=393). Due to funding limitations, a subset of 986 were genetically analysed: Sisimiut (n=345), Maniitsoq (n=341), Paamiut (n=15) and Qaqortoq (n=285) (Figure 5.2.2.1 and Table 5.2.2.1). Prior to 2017, DNA isolation and the subsequent microsatellite analyses were performed according to standardized protocols (King et al., 2001; Sheehan et al., 2010). A database of approximately 5000 Atlantic salmon genotypes of known origin were used as a baseline to assign the samples to continent of origin. This baseline and processes were used for continent of origin determinations by the Working Group from 2000– 2016. A microsatellite baseline (Figure 5.2.2.2 and Table 5.2.2.2; Bradbury et al., 2015) providing twelve North American and a single European reporting groups and a Single Nu- cleotide Polymophism baseline (SNP; Figure 5.2.2.3 and Table 5.2.2.3; Jeffery et al., in

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press) providing 21 North American and eight European reporting groups was used for continent and region of origin analysis for the 2015-2017 samples. An additional reporting group from the Kapisillit River in Greenland was also included in the SNP baseline for the SNP-based assignments. A Bayesian approach was used to estimate mixture composition or assign individuals to region of origin. The approach uses the R package rubias (Anderson et al., 2008). Continent and region of origin was estimated for 2015–2017 samples using a new suite of microsatellite loci. A total of 1806 individuals were analysed with the microsatellite panel over the three years (2015–2017). . The 2017 samples (n=986) were also re-analysed for region of origin analysis using the SNP panel (Figure 5.2.2.1). In total, 74.4% of the salmon sampled in 2017 were of North American origin and 25.6% were of European origin (Table 5.2.2.1). The NAFO division-specific continent of origin assignments are also presented in Table 5.2.2.1. These findings show that large proportions of fish from the North American stock complex continue to contribute to the fishery (Figure 5.2.2.4 and Table 5.2.2.4). The NAFO division-specific continent of origin assignments for 2017 are presented in Table 5.2.2.1 and Figure 5.2.2.5. The annual variation in the continental representation among divisions within the recent time-series (Figure 5.2.2.6) underscores the need to sample multiple NAFO Divisions to achieve the most accurate estimate of the contribution of fish from each continent to the mixed- stock fishery. The estimated weighted proportions of North American and European salmon since 1982 and the weighted numbers of North American and European Atlantic salmon caught at West Greenland (excluding unreported catch and reported harvest from ICES Area 14) are provided in Table 5.2.2.4 and Figure 5.2.2.7. Approximately 6100 (~20.9 t) North American origin fish and approximately 2200 (~7.2 t) European origin fish were harvested in 2017. The 2017 total number of fish harvested (8300) is approximately equal to the 2016 estimate (8400). It is only 2.5% of the maximum estimate of 336 000 fish harvested in 1982. The Working Group recommends a continuation of the broad geographic sampling programme including in Nuuk (multiple NAFO divisions including factory landings when permitted) and consideration should be given to expanding the programme across the fishing season to more accurately estimate continent and region of origin and biological characteristics of the mixed-stock fishery.

5.2.3 Region of origin of catches at West Greenland The Working Group has previously reported on the region of origin of catches at West Greenland, both for North American and European origin salmon (ICES, 2017). An update on region of origin contributions is available for the 2015–2017 fisheries using the microsatellite baseline. As in previous years (Bradbury et al., 2016), North American contributions were largely from Labrador, the Gulf of St Lawrence, and the Gaspe Pen- insula (Figures 5.2.3.1, 5.2.3.2 and 5.2.3.3 and Table 5.2.2.5). This pattern was generally stable over the three years examined. NAFO division-specific region of origin assignments for 2015–2017 are also presented in Table 5.2.2.6 and highlight the variation of region-specific contributions across years and NAFO Divisions. SNP-based analysis for 2017 sampled individuals identified North American region of origin was also dominated by Labrador, the Gulf of St Lawrence, and the Gaspe Peninsula (Table 5.2.2.7and Figure 5.2.3.4). Northeast Atlantic contributions were entirely from the UK/Ireland reporting group, which supports the previous conclusion reported by ICES (2017) that stocks from Northern NEAC do not contribute a significant amount to the

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harvest at West Greenland. No samples were assigned to the Kapisillit River reporting group. The breakdown of the stock composition by NAFO division shows variation in reporting group proportion.

5.3 NASCO has requested ICES to describe the status of the stocks The stocks contributing to the Greenland fishery are the NAC 2SW and Southern NEAC MSW complexes. The midpoints of the spawner abundance estimates for five out of the seven stock complexes exploited at West Greenland are below CLs (Figure 5.3.1). A more detailed overview of status of stocks in the NEAC and NAC areas is presented in the relevant commission sections (Sections 3 and 4).

5.3.1 North American stock complex The total estimate of 2SW salmon spawners in North America for 2017 decreased by 6% from 2016 and ranks 30th (descending rank) out of the 48 year time-series. The midpoints of the spawner abundance estimates were below the CLs for all regions of NAC except Labrador, and are therefore suffering reduced reproductive capacity. For Labrador, the median estimate was above the CL but the 5th percentile of the estimate is below the CL and the stock is at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity (Fig- ure 4.3.2.4). The proportion of the 2SW CL attained from 2SW spawners was 143% for Labrador, 65% for Newfoundland, 81% for Québec, 62% for the Gulf region, and 5% and 2% (10% and 15% of the management objectives) for Scotia-Fundy and USA, respectively. Within each of the geographic areas, there are individual river stocks which are failing to meet CLs. In the southern areas of NAC (Scotia-Fundy and USA) there are numerous populations at high risk of extinction and these are under consideration or receiving special protections under federal legislation. The estimated exploitation rate of North American origin salmon in North American fisheries has declined (Figure 4.1.6.1) from peaks of 81% in 1971 for 2SW salmon to averaging 10% over the past ten years.

5.3.2 MSW Southern European stock complex The midpoint of the spawner abundance estimate for the southern NEAC MSW stock complex was above the CL, but the stock complex is considered at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity (Figure 3.3.4.2). For individual countries within the southern NEAC MSW stock complex, estimated spawners for two countries were considered at full reproductive capacity whereas three countries were either at risk of suffering or suffering reduced reproductive capacity (Figure 3.3.4.5). In addition, rivers in the south and west of Iceland are included in the assessment of the southern NEAC stock complex and spawners for MSW stock were assessed to be at full reproductive capacity in this region (Figure 3.3.4.7). Within individual jurisdictions, there are large numbers of rivers not meeting CLs after homewater fisheries (Table 3.3.5.1). The status of MSW spawners against conservation limits is summarized in Figure 5.3.1. Home- water exploitation rates on the MSW southern NEAC stock complex are shown in Fig- ure 3.1.9.1. Exploitation on MSW fish in Southern NEAC was 12% in 2017, which was similar to the previous five year (11%) and ten year (12%) averages.

5.4 NASCO has requested ICES to provide catch options or alternative management advice for 2018–2020 with an assessment of risk relative to the objective of exceeding stock conservation limits, or predefined

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NASCO Management Objectives, and advise on the implications of these options for stock rebuilding The management advice for the West Greenland fishery for 2018 to 2020 is based on the models used by the Working Group since 2003 and most recently revised in ICES (2015). The Working Group followed the process developed in previous years for providing management advice and catch options for West Greenland using the PFA and CLs or alternate management objectives of the NAC and NEAC areas (Table 5.4.1). The risks of the Greenland fishery to NAC and NEAC stock complexes are developed in parallel and combined into a single catch options table (Table 5.4.2).

5.4.1 Catch options for West Greenland None of the stated management objectives would allow a mixed-stock fishery at West Greenland to take place in 2018, 2019, or 2020. • In the absence of any marine fishing mortality at Greenland and North America, the lowest probabilities that the returns of 2SW salmon to North America will be sufficient to meet the conservation requirements of any one of the four northern regions (Labrador, Newfoundland, Québec, and Gulf) were estimated to be 0.087, 0.102, and 0.194, all for the Gulf region for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively (Table 5.4.2). • In the absence of any marine fishing mortality at Greenland and North America, there is a low probability (from 0.000 to 0.003) that the returns in the southern region of Scotia-Fundy will be sufficient to meet the stock rebuilding objective during the period 2018 to 2020 (Table 5.4.2). The probability of meeting or exceeding the stock rebuilding objective of the USA region is estimated at 0.001 to 0.006 over the three years. • In the absence of any marine fishing mortality at Greenland and in NEAC, the probabilities of meeting or exceeding the SER for the southern NEAC MSW complex is 0.377, 0.421, and 0.549 in 2018 to 2020, respectively (Table 5.4.2). • In the absence of any fishing mortality on these stocks, there is a zero probability of meeting or exceeding the seven management objectives simultaneously in 2018 to 2020 (Table 5.4.2).

5.5 Relevant factors to be considered in management The management of all fisheries should be based upon assessments of the status of individual stocks. Fisheries on mixed-stocks, particularly in coastal waters or on the high seas, pose particular difficulties for management as they target all stocks present, whether or not they are meeting their individual CLs. Conservation would be best achieved if fisheries target stocks that have been shown to be meeting CLs. Fisheries in estuaries and especially rivers are more likely to meet this requirement. The salmon caught in the West Greenland fishery are mostly (>90%) non-maturing 1SW salmon, most of which are destined to return to homewaters in Europe or North America as 2SW fish. The primary European stocks contributing to the fishery in West Greenland are thought to originate in the southern MSW stock complex, although small numbers may also originate in northern Europe. Most MSW stocks in North America are thought to contribute to the fishery at West Greenland. Previous spawners, including salmon that spawned first as 1SW and 2SW salmon also contribute to the fishery, but in generally low (<5%) proportions (Table 5.1.2.6).

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Salmon feeding at West Greenland grow rapidly over the August to October period. For a fixed catch option in terms of weight, a fishery prosecuted later in the season could result in fewer fish being harvested (in numbers of fish), which may result in a decreased exploitation rate (fish harvested in number divided by stock size in numbers). If stocks are equally available over the entire fishery season, then reduced exploitation rates would be of benefit to stocks which are at particularly low abundances as the probability of interception of these fish in the fishery is contingent upon the exploitation rate in the fishery (i.e. probability of capture). The benefits or risks to specific stocks of changes in fishing season will depend upon the relative distribution of the stocks in the fishery area during the fishing season, details which are currently not known for the large number of stocks contributing to the fishery at West Greenland.

5.6 Pre-fishery abundance forecasts 2018, 2019, 2020 PFA forecasts for each area (NAC Section 4.7 and NEAC Section 3.4) were developed using a Bayesian framework. A random walk productivity parameter linking lagged spawners or lagged eggs to PFA was developed and applied in the most recent assessments (2015 for NAC and 2016 for NEAC; ICES, 2015; 2016). The PFA forecasts for the West Greenland stock complex although improved from the lowest value estimated in 2001 remain well below the values prior to 1995 (Figures 4.7.1.4 and 3.4.2.1).

5.6.1 North American stock complex

The PFANA forecasts for 2018 to 2020 fluctuate at median values of 178 200 to 231 500 fish, at low values relative to the earliest decade of the time-series (Figure 4.7.1.4; Table 4.7.1.21). The regional PFA forecasts indicate an increase during 2018 to 2020 for Lab- rador, decreased abundance relative to recent years for Newfoundland, but generally decreasing abundance for the other four regions (Figure 4.7.1.5).

5.6.2 Southern NEAC MSW stock complex The Southern NEAC 1SW non-maturing (MSW) PFA forecasts for 2018 to 2020 fluctuate at median values between 488 161 and 581 828 fish, which are low relative to the earliest decade of the time-series (Figure 3.4.2.1). The spawning estimates of the South- ern NEAC MSW stock has generally been at or below the spawning escapement reserve (SER) throughout the time-series with the exception of slight increases in estimated spawners from 2010–2012 (Figure 3.3.4.2). The median PFA for the Southern NEAC MSW complex is forecast to fall below the SER in 2018 and 2019 (Figure 3.4.2.1). There is only a 0.37–0.55 probability that the spawner escapement reserve (550 081 fish) will be met in 2018 to 2020 (Table 3.4.2.1).

5.7 Comparison with previous assessment and advice In 2015, the ICES Working Group provided forecasts of the regional productivity parameters and the regional specific PFAs based on the regional lagged spawners. The productivity parameter used in the forecast is the value derived from the last year in the model, with increasing uncertainty for each year of the forecast. In the 2015 assessment, the productivity parameter for the 2013 PFA had decreased from previous years in all the regions except Labrador resulting from greatly reduced returns of 2SW salmon in 2014 (ICES, 2015). The returns of 2SW salmon in 2015 to 2017 were higher than those of 2014 in essentially all regions (Figure 4.3.2.3). As a result, the forecast value of the productivity parameter was lower than estimated in 2014 to 2016 for the Labrador region, resulting in estimated regional PFA value for those three years which

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were lower than forecast. In all other regions, the forecast productivity parameter varied from the estimated values with the result that the forecast regional PFA values were lower or higher than the estimated values for PFA years 2014 to 2016. Due to the large uncertainty associated with the forecast values, the estimated PFA values for 2014 to 2016 were within the 95% confidence intervals of the forecast values. The previous advice provided by ICES (2015) indicated that there were no mixed-stock fishery catch options on the 1SW non-maturing salmon component for the 2015 to 2017 PFA years and this year’s assessment confirms that advice.

5.8 Critical examination of changes to the models used to provide catch options

5.8.1 Run-reconstruction models The run-reconstruction models to estimate pre-fishery abundance of 1SW non-maturing and maturing 2SW fish adjusted by natural mortality to the time prior to the West Greenland fishery follow the same structure as used since 2003 (ICES, 2003; 2004; 2005; 2006; 2012; 2015) and incorporated the recommendations from ICES (2008) to improve the models. Additional details are provided in Sections 4.3 and 3.3.

5.8.2 Forecast models for pre-fishery abundance of 2SW salmon The forecast models used to estimate pre-fishery abundance of non-maturing 1SW salmon (potential MSW) for North America and for the southern NEAC MSW salmon were the same as those used in the previous assessment in 2015 for NAC and 2016 for southern NEAC (ICES, 2015; 2016). For NAC, a regionally disaggregated model for 2SW salmon only was developed whereas a combined 1SW cohort model was developed and used for the southern NEAC complex. Details of the model structures and the differences between these new models and those previously used by the Working Group are provided in the Stock Annex.

5.8.3 Development and risk assessment of catch options The provision of catch options in a risk framework involves incorporating the uncertainty in the factors used to develop the catch options. The ranges in the uncertainties of all the factors will result in assessments of differing levels of precision. The analysis of risk involves four steps: 1) identifying the sources of uncertainty; 2) describing the precision or imprecision of the assessment; 3) defining a management strategy; and 4) evaluating the probability of an event (either desirable or undesirable) resulting from the fishery action. Atlantic salmon are managed with the objective of achieving spawning conservation limits. The undesirable event to be assessed is that the spawning escapement after fisheries will be below the conservation limit. The risk assessments for the two stock complexes in the West Greenland fishery are developed in parallel and then combined at the end of the process into a single summary plot or catch options table (see Annex 6 for details; Figure 5.8.3.1).

5.8.4 Critical evaluation Changes to the run-reconstruction and pre-fishery abundance forecast models have been critically examined in ICES (2009; 2011). There were no changes to the risk assessment of the catch options model. The Working Group used models that are fitted and forecasts derived in a single consistent Bayesian framework.

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5.9 NASCO has requested ICES to update the Framework of Indicators used to identify any significant change in the previously provided multiannual management advice In 2007, ICES developed and presented to NASCO a framework (Framework of Indi- cators, FWI) to be used in interim years to determine if there is an expectation that the previously provided multiyear management advice for the Greenland fishery is likely to change in subsequent years (ICES, 2007). A significant change in management advice would be an unforeseen increase in stock abundance to a level that would allow a fishery in the case where no catch had been previously advised, or a decrease in stock abundance when catch options had been chosen. The finalized Framework of Indica- tors was accepted by NASCO in June 2007, and applied to the 2008 fishery at West Greenland. The FWI was updated in 2009 (ICES, 2009), in 2012 (ICES, 2012) and again in 2015 (ICES, 2015) in support of multiannual regulatory measures for the West Green- land fishery during the time periods 2009–2011, 2012–2014, 2015–2017. An updated FWI has been requested by NASCO in support of the multiyear catch advice and the potential approval of multiyear regulatory measures for the 2018–2020 fisheries. A full description of the development of the FWI and instructions for the application of the framework indicator spreadsheet are detailed in Annex 6.

5.9.1 Update of the Framework of Indicators The Working Group updated the FWI in support of the West Greenland fishery management. The update consisted of: • Adding the values of the indicator variables for the most recent years; • Running the objective function spreadsheet for each indicator variable and the variable of interest relative to the management objectives; • Quantifying the threshold value for the indicator variables and the probabilities of a true high state and a true low state for those indicator variables retained for the framework; • Revising/adding the indicator variables and the functions for evaluating the indicator score to the framework spreadsheet; and • Providing the spreadsheet for doing the framework of indicators assessment.

The management objectives for the development of the catch options for the West Greenland fishery are provided in Table 5.4.1. Based on the results from the objective function spreadsheet and the criteria established by the Working Group, a total of 22 indicator variables, represented by 14 different rivers, were retained (Figure 5.9.1.1. and Table 5.9.1.1). Of these, two were survival rate indicators of hatchery fish, while the remainder were of wild 2SW, MSW and large salmon (n=16) or wild 1SW or small salmon (n=4) returns to rivers.

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Origin Wild Wild Wild Wild Hatchery Hatchery

Type of data Return Return Survival Survival Survival Survival Size/age group Small/1SW Large/2SW/ Small/1SW Large/2SW Small/1SW Large/2SW Total MSW Labrador 0 Newfoundland 0 Québec 1 7 2 10 Gulf 1 2 3 Scotia-Fundy 2 3 1 1 7 USA1 11 1 Scotland 1 1 (SNEAC)

Total 4 14 2 1 1 22

1 for USA, returns include both wild and hatchery origin fish.

Summaries of the indicator variables retained for the potential 2018 to 2020 multiyear catch advice indicator framework are provided in Table 5.9.1.1. No indicator variables were retained for the Labrador or Newfoundland areas. Fifteen indicator variables were explored for southern NEAC and a single one met the qualifying criteria. All the retained indicator variables had a probability of identifying a true low state or a true high state of at least 80% (Figure 5.9.1.2). The Working Group recommends, that in preparation for the next update to the FWI (2019, 2020, or 2021) a full suite of all potential input datasets across all regions and stock complexes be evaluated against country-specific management objectives for Southern NEAC.

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Table 5.1.1.1. Distribution of nominal catches (t) by Greenland vessels since 1960. NAFO Division is represented by 1A–1F. Since 2005, gutted weights have been reported and converted to total weight by a factor of 1.11.

West East Year 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F Unk. Greenland Greenland Total 1960 60 60 60 1961 127 127 127 1962 244 244 244 1963 1 172 180 68 45 466 466 1964 21 326 564 182 339 107 1539 1539 1965 19 234 274 86 202 10 36 861 861 1966 17 223 321 207 353 130 87 1338 1338 1967 2 205 382 228 336 125 236 1514 1514 1968 1 90 241 125 70 34 272 833 833 1969 41 396 245 234 370 867 2153 2153 1970 58 239 122 123 496 207 862 2107 2107 1971 144 355 724 302 410 159 560 2654 2654 1972 117 136 190 374 385 118 703 2023 2023 1973 220 271 262 440 619 329 200 2341 2341 1974 44 175 272 298 395 88 645 1917 1917 1975 147 468 212 224 352 185 442 2030 2030 1976 166 302 262 225 182 38 1175 1175 1977 201 393 336 207 237 46 - 1 420 6 1426 1978 81 349 245 186 113 10 - 984 8 992 1979 120 343 524 213 164 31 - 1 395 + 1395 1980 52 275 404 231 158 74 - 1 194 + 1194 1981 105 403 348 203 153 32 20 1 264 + 1264 1982 111 330 239 136 167 76 18 1 077 + 1077 1983 14 77 93 41 55 30 - 310 + 310 1984 33 116 64 4 43 32 5 297 + 297 1985 85 124 198 207 147 103 - 864 7 871 1986 46 73 128 203 233 277 - 960 19 979 1987 48 114 229 205 261 109 - 966 + 966 1988 24 100 213 191 198 167 - 893 4 897 1989 9 28 81 73 75 71 - 337 - 337 1990 4 20 132 54 16 48 - 274 - 274 1991 12 36 120 38 108 158 - 472 4 476 1992 - 4 23 5 75 130 - 237 5 242 1993 1 ------1994 1 ------1995 + 10 28 17 22 5 - 83 2 85 1996 + + 50 8 23 10 - 92 + 92 1997 1 5 15 4 16 17 - 58 1 59 1998 1 2 2 4 1 2 - 11 - 11 1999 + 2 3 9 2 2 - 19 + 19 2000 + + 1 7 + 13 - 21 - 21

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West East Year 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F Unk. Greenland Greenland Total 2001 + 1 4 5 3 28 - 43 - 43 2002 + + 2 4 1 2 - 9 - 9 2003 1 + 2 1 1 5 - 9 - 9 2004 3 1 4 2 3 2 - 15 - 15 2005 1 3 2 1 3 5 - 15 - 15 2006 6 2 3 4 2 4 - 22 - 22 2007 2 5 6 4 5 2 - 25 - 25 2008 4.9 2.2 10.0 1.6 2.5 5.0 0 26.2 0 26.2 2009 0.2 6.2 7.1 3.0 4.3 4.8 0 25.6 0.8 26.3 2010 17.3 4.6 2.4 2.7 6.8 4.3 0 38.1 1.7 39.6 2011 1.8 3.7 5.3 8.0 4.0 4.6 0 27.4 0.1 27.5 2012 5.4 0.8 15.0 4.6 4.0 3.0 0 32.6 0.5 33.1 2013 3.1 2.4 17.9 13.4 6.4 3.8 0 47.0 0.0 47.0 2014 3.6 2.8 13.8 19.1 15.0 3.4 0 57.8 0.1 57.9 2015 0.8 8.8 10.0 18.0 4.2 14.1 0 55.9 1.0 56.8 2016 0.8 1.2 7.3 4.6 4.5 7.3 0 25.7 1.5 27.1 2017 1.1 1.7 9.3 6.9 3.2 5.6 0 27.8 0.3 28.0 1 The fishery was suspended. + Small catches <5 t. - No catch.

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Table 5.1.1.2. Nominal catches of salmon at West Greenland since 1960 (t round fresh weight) by participating nations. For Greenlandic vessels specifically, all catches up to 1968 were taken with set gillnets only and catches after 1968 were taken with set gillnets and driftnets. All non-Greenlandic vessel catches from 1969–1975 were taken with driftnets. The quota figures applied to Greenlandic vessels only and parenthetical entries identify when quotas did not apply to all sectors of the fishery.

Year Norway Faroes Sweden Denmark Greenland Total Quota Comments 1960 - - - - 60 60 1961 - - - - 127 127 1962 - - - - 244 244 1963 - - - - 466 466 1964 - - - - 1539 1539 1965 - 36 - - 825 858 Norwegian harvest figures not available, but known to be less than Faroese catch 1966 32 87 - - 1251 1370 1967 78 155 - 85 1283 1601 1968 138 134 4 272 579 1127 1969 250 215 30 355 1360 2210 1970 270 259 8 358 1244 2139 Greenlandic total includes 7 t caught by longlines in the Labrador Sea 1971 340 255 - 645 1449 2689 - 1972 158 144 - 401 1410 2113 1100 1973 200 171 - 385 1585 2341 1100 1974 140 110 - 505 1162 1917 1191 1975 217 260 - 382 1171 2030 1191 1976 - - - - 1175 1175 1191 1977 - - - - 1420 1420 1191 1978 - - - - 984 984 1191

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Year Norway Faroes Sweden Denmark Greenland Total Quota Comments 1979 - - - - 1395 1395 1191 1980 - - - - 1194 1194 1191 1981 - - - - 1264 1264 1265 Quota set to a specific opening date for the fishery 1982 - - - - 1077 1077 1253 Quota set to a specific opening date for the fishery 1983 - - - - 310 310 1191 1984 - - - - 297 297 870 1985 - - - - 864 864 852 1986 - - - - 960 960 909 1987 - - - - 966 966 935 1988 - - - - 893 893 840 Quota for 1988–1990 was 2520 t with an opening date of August 1. Annual catches were not to exceed an annual average (840 t) by more than 10%. Quota adjusted to 900 t in 1989 and 924 t in 1990 for later opening dates. 1989 - - - - 337 337 900 1990 - - - - 274 274 924 1991 - - - - 472 472 840 1992 - - - - 237 237 258 Quota set by Greenland authorities 1993 - - - - 89 The fishery was suspended. NASCO adopt a new quota allocation model. 1994 - - - - 137 The fishery was suspended and the quotas were bought out. 1995 - - - - 83 83 77 Quota advised by NASCO 1996 - - - - 92 92 174 Quota set by Greenland authorities 1997 - - - - 58 58 57 Private (non-commercial) catches to be reported after 1997 1998 - - - - 11 11 20 Fishery restricted to catches used for internal consumption in Greenland 1999 - - - - 19 19 20 2000 - - - - 21 21 20

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Year Norway Faroes Sweden Denmark Greenland Total Quota Comments 2001 - - - - 43 43 114 Final quota calculated according to the ad hoc management system 2002 - - - - 9 9 55 Quota bought out, quota represented the maximum allowable catch (no factory landing allowed), and higher catch figures based on sampling programme information are used for the assessments 2003 - - - - 9 9 Quota set to nil (no factory landing allowed), fishery restricted to catches used for internal consumption in Greenland, and higher catch figures based on sampling programme information are used for the assessments 2004 - - - - 15 15 same as previous year 2005 - - - - 15 15 same as previous year 2006 - - - - 22 22 Quota set to nil (no factory landing allowed) and fishery restricted to catches used for internal consumption in Greenland 2007 - - - - 25 25 Quota set to nil (no factory landing allowed), fishery restricted to catches used for internal consumption in Greenland, and higher catch figures based on sampling programme information are used for the assessments 2008 - - - - 26 26 same as previous year 2009 - - - - 26 26 same as previous year 2010 - - - - 40 40 No factory landing allowed and fishery restricted to catches used for internal consumption in Greenland 2011 - - - - 28 28 same as previous 2012 - - - - 33 33 (35) Unilateral decision made by Greenland to allow factory landing with a 35 t quota for factory landings only, fishery restricted to catches used for internal consumption in Greenland, and higher catch figures based on sampling programme information are used for the assessments 2013 - - - - 47 47 (35) same as previous year 2014 - - - - 58 58 (30) Unilateral decision made by Greenland to allow factory landing with a 30 t quota for factory landings only, fishery restricted to catches used for internal

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Year Norway Faroes Sweden Denmark Greenland Total Quota Comments consumption in Greenland, and higher catch figures based on sampling programme information and phone surveys are used for the assessments 2015 - - - - 57 57 45 Unilateral decision made by Greenland to set a 45 t quota for all sectors of the fishery, fishery restricted to catches used for internal consumption in Greenland, and higher catch figures based on sampling programme information and phone surveys are used for the assessments 2016 - - - - 27 27 32 Unilateral decision made by Greenland to reduce the previously set 45 t quota for all sectors of the fishery to 32 t based on overharvest of 2015 fishery, fishery restricted to catches used for internal consumption in Greenland, and higher catch figures based on sampling programme information and phone surveys are used for the assessments 2017 - - - - 28 28 45 Unilateral decision made by Greenland to set a 45 t quota for all sectors of the fishery, fishery restricted to catches used for internal consumption in Greenland, and higher catch figures based on sampling programme information are used for the assessments

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Table 5.1.1.3. Reported landings (t) by landing category, the number of fishers reporting and the total number of landing reports received for licensed and unlicensed fishers in 2014– 2017. Empty cells identify categories with no reported landings and 0.0 entries represents reported values of <0.1.

NAFO/ICES Licensed No. of No. of Comm. Private Factory Total Licensed No. of No. of Comm. Private Factory Total Fishers Reports Fishers Reports 2017 2016

1A NO 2 12 0.0 0.0 0.0 NO 0.0

1A YES 15 66 0.3 0.8 1.1 YES 9 19 0.7 0.7

1A TOTAL 17 78 0.3 0.9 1.1 TOTAL 9 19 0.0 0.7 0.7

1B NO 0.0 NO 4 9 0.2 0.2

1B YES 9 40 1.4 0.2 1.7 YES 7 22 0.1 1.0 1.0

1B TOTAL 9 40 1.4 0.2 1.7 TOTAL 11 31 0.1 1.1 1.2

1C NO 7 23 0.0 0.4 0.4 NO 8 30 1.0 1.0

1C YES 33 135 5.9 3.0 8.9 YES 23 113 4.1 2.1 6.2

1C TOTAL 40 158 5.9 3.4 9.3 TOTAL 31 143 4.1 3.1 7.3

1D NO 17 44 0.0 0.9 0.9 NO 8 13 0.9 0.9

1D YES 7 23 5.1 0.9 5.9 YES 8 42 1.2 2.5 3.8

1D TOTAL 24 67 5.1 1.8 6.9 TOTAL 16 55 1.2 3.4 4.6

1E NO 8 24 0.0 0.6 0.6 NO 13 22 1.4 1.4

1E YES 15 114 0.7 1.9 2.6 YES 10 74 0.6 2.5 3.1

1E TOTAL 23 138 0.7 2.5 3.2 TOTAL 23 96 0.6 3.9 4.5

1F NO 16 51 0.0 1.2 1.2 NO 27 66 0.1 2.9 3.0

1F YES 12 78 1.8 2.6 4.4 YES 13 46 2.6 1.7 4.3

1F TOTAL 28 129 1.8 3.8 5.6 TOTAL 40 112 2.7 4.6 7.3

XIV NO 0.0 NO 9 46 1.3 1.3

XIV YES 2 21 0.1 0.2 0.3 YES 1 1 0.2 0.2

XIV TOTAL 2 21 0.1 0.2 0.3 TOTAL 10 47 0.0 1.5 1.5

ALL NO 50 154 0.0 3.1 3.1 NO 69 186 0.1 7.6 7.7

ALL YES 93 477 15.3 9.7 24.9 YES 71 317 8.6 10.8 19.4

ALL TOTAL 143 631 15.3 12.7 28.0 TOTAL 140 503 8.7 18.4 27.1

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NAFO/ICES Licensed No. of No. of Comm. Private Factory Total Licensed No. of No. of Comm. Private Factory Total Fishers Reports Fishers Repor ts 2015 2014

1A NO 5 6 0.1 0.1 NO 1 1 0.1 0.1

1A YES 13 29 0.1 0.6 0.7 YES 20 87 3.0 0.5 3.5

1A TOTAL 18 35 0.1 0.7 0.8 TOTAL 21 88 3.0 0.6 3.6

1B NO 3 5 0.1 0.1 NO

1B YES 15 96 7.3 1.5 8.7 YES 8 28 2.1 0.7 2.8

1B TOTAL 18 101 7.3 1.5 8.8 TOTAL 8 28 2.1 0.7 2.8

1C NO 16 58 0.1 1.7 1.8 NO 5 18 0.6 0.6 1C YES 42 181 2.9 3.9 1.5 8.2 YES 35 212 1.5 2.1 9.7 13.2 1C TOTAL 58 239 3.0 5.6 1.5 10.1 TOTAL 40 230 2.1 2.1 9.7 13.8

1D NO 20 35 0.8 0.8 NO 6 10 0.2 0.3 0.5 1D YES 11 161 14.3 0.5 2.4 17.1 YES 14 115 0.4 5.5 12.8 18.6 1D TOTAL 31 196 14.3 1.3 2.4 18.0 TOTAL 20 135 0.6 5.7 12.8 19.1

1E NO 3 5 0.1 0.2 0.2 NO 1 1 0.2 0.2

1E YES 11 71 2.0 1.9 3.9 YES 9 102 1.4 0.8 12.6 14.8

1E TOTAL 14 76 2.1 2.1 4.2 TOTAL 10 103 1.6 0.8 12.6 15.0

1F NO 20 69 2.4 2.4 NO 3 3 0.1 0.1 0.2

1F YES 21 173 7.1 4.6 11.7 YES 11 80 2.0 1.2 3.2

1F TOTAL 41 242 7.1 7.0 14.1 TOTAL 14 83 2.1 1.3 3.4

XIV NO 8 32 0.6 0.6 NO 0.0

XIV YES 1 17 0.0 0.4 0.4 YES 1 12 0.1 0.0 0.1

XIV TOTAL 9 49 0.0 0.9 1.0 TOTAL 1 12 0.1 0.0 0.1

ALL NO 75 210 0.1 5.9 6.0 NO 16 33 1.2 0.4 1.6 ALL YES 114 728 33.7 13.3 3.8 50.8 YES 98 636 10.5 10.7 35.0 56.2

ALL TOTAL 189 938 33.8 19.2 3.8 56.8 TOTAL 114 669 11.6 11.2 35.0 57.8

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Table 5.1.1.4. Total number of licences issued by NAFO (1A-1F)/ICES Divisions and the number of people (licensed and unlicensed) reporting catches of Atlantic salmon in the Greenland fishery. Reports received by fish plants prior to 1997 and to the Licence Office from 1998 to present. Blanks cells indicate that the data were not reported or available. Three additional fishers were identified as reporting in 2016 (n=143).

Year Licences 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F ICES Unk. Number of fishers reporting Number of reports received

1987 78 67 74 99 233 0 579 1988 63 46 43 53 78 227 0 516 1989 30 41 98 46 46 131 0 393 1990 32 15 46 52 54 155 0 362 1991 53 39 100 41 54 123 0 410 1992 3 9 73 9 36 82 0 212 1993 1994 1995 0 17 52 21 24 31 0 145 1996 1 8 74 15 23 42 0 163 1997 0 16 50 7 2 6 0 80 1998 16 5 8 7 3 30 0 69 1999 3 8 24 18 21 29 0 102 2000 1 1 5 12 2 25 0 43 2001 452 2 7 13 15 6 37 0 76 2002 479 1 1 9 13 9 8 0 41 2003 150 11 1 4 4 12 10 0 42 2004 155 20 2 8 4 20 12 0 66 2005 185 11 7 17 5 17 18 0 75 2006 159 43 14 17 20 17 30 0 141 2007 260 29 12 26 10 33 22 0 132 2008 260 44 8 41 10 16 24 0 143 2009 294 19 11 35 15 25 31 9 0 145 2010 309 86 17 19 16 30 27 13 0 208 389 2011 234 25 9 20 15 20 23 5 0 117 394 2012 279 35 9 32 8 16 16 6 0 122 553 2013 228 28 8 21 19 7 11 1 0 95 553 2014 321 21 8 40 20 10 14 1 0 114 669 2015 310 18 18 58 31 14 41 9 0 189 938 2016 263 9 11 31 16 23 40 10 3 143 503

2017 282 17 9 40 24 23 28 2 0 143 631

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Table 5.1.2.1. Summary of the 2014–2017 phone surveys conducted by the GFLK (Greenland Fish- eries Control Authority), APNN (the fisheries department), and GINR (Greenland Institute of Nat- ural Resources.

2014 2015 2016 2017

Licensed fishers 321 310 263 282 Number who reported by February the 98 114 75 na following year Number of fishers who reported 114 189 143 143 catches Number who did not report catches 207 112 120 139 Number interviewed who reported 881 0 19 92 catches Number interviewed who did not 1191 105 30 na report catches Weighting None NAFO NAFO na Division- Division- specific specific

Estimated unreported catch (t) 12.2 5.0 4.2 na

1 Includes approximately eleven nonprofessional fishers. 2 It is not known if these fishers reported catches or not.

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Table 5.1.2.2. Adjusted landings estimated from comparing the weight of salmon seen by the sampling teams and the corresponding community-specific reported landings (Adjusted landings (sampling)) and from phone surveys (Adjusted landings (survey)). Dashes ‘-‘ indicate that no adjustment was necessary or no phone surveys were conducted from 2002–2013 or 2017. Adjusted landings (sampling and surveys) are added to the reported landings and estimated unreported catch for assessment purposes.

Year Reported Adjusted Adjusted Landings for Landings Landings Landings Assessment (West Greenland (Sampling) (Survey) only)

2002 9.0 0.7 - 9.8 2003 8.7 3.6 - 12.3 2004 14.7 2.5 - 17.2 2005 15.3 2.0 - 17.3 2006 23.0 - - 23.0 2007 24.6 0.2 - 24.8 2008 26.1 2.5 - 28.6 2009 25.5 2.5 - 28.0 2010 37.9 5.1 - 43.1 2011 27.4 - - 27.4 2012 32.6 2.0 - 34.6 2013 46.9 0.7 - 47.7 2014 57.7 0.6 12.2 70.5 2015 55.9 - 5.0 60.9

2016 25.7 0.3 4.2 30.2

2017 27.8 0.3 - 28.0

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Table 5.2.1. Size of biological samples and percentage (by number) of North American and Euro- pean salmon in research vessel catches at West Greenland (1969 to 1982), from commercial samples (1978 to 1992, 1995 to 1997, and 2001) and from local consumption samples (1998 to 2000, and 2002 to present). Parenthetical Genetic sample numbers represent the number of samples available.

Source Year Sample Size Continent of Origin (%) LENGT SCALE GENETICS N. (95% EUROPE (95% H S AMERICA CI)1 AN CI)1 N

Research 1969 212 212 51 (57, 44) 49 (56, 43) 1970 127 127 35 (43, 26) 65 (75, 57) 1971 247 247 34 (40, 28) 66 (72, 50) 1972 3488 3488 36 (37, 34) 64 (66, 63) 1973 102 102 49 (59, 39) 51 (61, 41) 1974 834 834 43 (46, 39) 57 (61, 54) 1975 528 528 44 (48, 40) 56 (60, 52) 1976 420 420 43 (48, 38) 57 (62, 52) 19782 606 606 38 (41, 38) 62 (66, 59) 19783 49 49 55 (69, 41) 45 (59, 31) 1979 328 328 47 (52, 41) 53 (59, 48) 1980 617 617 58 (62, 54) 42 (46, 38) 1982 443 443 47 (52, 43) 53 (58, 48) Commercial 1978 392 392 52 (57, 47) 48 (53, 43) 1979 1653 1653 50 (52, 48) 50 (52, 48) 1980 978 978 48 (51, 45) 52 (55, 49) 1981 4570 1930 59 (61, 58) 41 (42, 39) 1982 1949 414 62 (64, 60) 38 (40, 36) 1983 4896 1815 40 (41, 38) 60 (62, 59) 1984 7282 2720 50 (53, 47) 50 (53, 47) 1985 13 272 2917 50 (53, 46) 50 (52, 34) 1986 20 394 3509 57 (66, 48) 43 (52, 34) 1987 13 425 2960 59 (63, 54) 41 (46, 37) 1988 11 047 2562 43 (49, 38) 57 (62, 51) 1989 9366 2227 56 (60, 52) 44 (48, 40) 1990 4897 1208 75 (79, 70) 25 (30, 21) 1991 5005 1347 65 (69, 61) 35 (39, 31) 1992 6348 1648 54 (57, 50) 46 (50, 43) 1995 2045 2045 68 (75, 65) 32 (35, 28) 1996 3341 1397 73 (76, 71) 27 (29, 24) 1997 794 282 80 (84, 75) 20 (25, 16) 2001 4721 2655 69 (71, 67) 31 (33, 29) Local 1998 540 406 79 (84, 73) 21 (27, 16) Consumptio 1999 532 532 90 (97, 84) 10 (16, 3) n 2000 491 491 490 70 30 2002 501 501 501 (1001) 68 32 2003 1743 1743 1779 68 32 2004 1639 1639 1688 73 27

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 277

Source Year Sample Size Continent of Origin (%) LENGT SCALE GENETICS N. (95% EUROPE (95% H S AMERICA CI)1 AN CI)1 N 2005 767 767 767 76 24 Local 2006 1209 1209 1193 72 28 Consumptio 2007 1116 1110 1123 82 18 n 2008 1854 1866 1853 86 14 2009 1662 1683 1671 91 9 2010 1261 1265 1240 80 20 2011 967 965 964 92 8 2012 1372 1371 1373 82 18 2013 1155 1156 1149 82 18 2014 892 775 920 72 28 2015 1708 1704 1674 80 20

2016 1300 1240 1302 66 34

2017 1369 1328 986 (1367) 74 26

1 CI - confidence interval calculated by method of Pella and Robertson (1979) for 1984–1986 and binomial distribution for the others. 2 During 1978 Fishery. 3 Research samples after 1978 fishery closed.

278 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 5.2.2. Reported landings (kg) for the West Greenland Atlantic salmon fishery from 2002 by NAFO division and the division-specific adjusted landings (sampling) where the sampling teams observed more fish landed than were reported. Adjusted landings (sampling) were not calculated for 2006, 2011 and 2015, as the sampling teams did not observe more fish than were reported. Shaded cells indicate that sampling took place in that year and division.

Year Type 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F Total Reported 14 78 2100 3752 1417 1661 9022 2002 Adjusted 2408 9769 Reported 619 17 1621 648 1274 4516 8694 2003 Adjusted 1782 2709 5912 12 312 Reported 3476 611 3516 2433 2609 2068 14 712 2004 Adjusted 4929 17 209 Reported 1294 3120 2240 756 2937 4956 15 303 2005 Adjusted 2730 17 276 Reported 5427 2611 3424 4731 2636 4192 23 021 2006 Adjusted Reported 2019 5089 6148 4470 4828 2093 24 647 2007 Adjusted 2252 24 806 Reported 4882 2210 10024 1595 2457 4979 26 147 2008 Adjusted 3577 5478 28 627 Reported 195 6151 7090 2988 4296 4777 25 496 2009 Adjusted 5466 27 975 Reported 17 263 4558 2363 2747 6766 4252 37 949 2010 Adjusted 4824 6566 5274 43 056 Reported 1858 3662 5274 7977 4021 4613 27 407 2011 Adjusted Reported 5353 784 14 991 4564 3993 2951 32 636 2012 Adjusted 2001 3694 34 596 Reported 3052 2358 17 950 13 356 6442 3774 46 933 2013 Adjusted 2461 4408 47 669 Reported 3625 2756 13 762 19 123 14 979 3416 57 662 2014 Adjusted 4036 58 282 Reported 751 8801 10 055 17 966 4170 14 134 55 877 2015 Adjusted Reported 763 1234 7271 4630 4492 7265 25 655 2016 Adjusted 1498 25 919 2017 Reported 1114 1665 9335 6858 3219 5563 27 754 Adjusted 1942 28 031

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 279

Table 5.2.1.1. Annual mean whole weights (kg) and fork lengths (cm) by sea age and continent of origin of Atlantic salmon caught at West Greenland 1969 to 1992 and 1995 to present (NA = North America and E = Europe).

Year Whole weight (kg) Fork Length (cm) 1SW 2SW PS ALL SEA AGES TOTAL 1SW 2SW PS NA E NA E NA E NA E NA E NA E NA E

1969 3.12 3.76 5.48 5.80 - 5.13 3.25 3.86 3.58 65.0 68.7 77.0 80.3 - 75.3 1970 2.85 3.46 5.65 5.50 4.85 3.80 3.06 3.53 3.28 64.7 68.6 81.5 82.0 78.0 75.0 1971 2.65 3.38 4.30 - - - 2.68 3.38 3.14 62.8 67.7 72.0 - - - 1972 2.96 3.46 5.85 6.13 2.65 4.00 3.25 3.55 3.44 64.2 67.9 80.7 82.4 61.5 69.0 1973 3.28 4.54 9.47 10.00 - - 3.83 4.66 4.18 64.5 70.4 88.0 96.0 61.5 - 1974 3.12 3.81 7.06 8.06 3.42 - 3.22 3.86 3.58 64.1 68.1 82.8 87.4 66.0 - 1975 2.58 3.42 6.12 6.23 2.60 4.80 2.65 3.48 3.12 61.7 67.5 80.6 82.2 66.0 75.0 1976 2.55 3.21 6.16 7.20 3.55 3.57 2.75 3.24 3.04 61.3 65.9 80.7 87.5 72.0 70.7 1978 2.96 3.50 7.00 7.90 2.45 6.60 3.04 3.53 3.35 63.7 67.3 83.6 - 60.8 85.0 1979 2.98 3.50 7.06 7.60 3.92 6.33 3.12 3.56 3.34 63.4 66.7 81.6 85.3 61.9 82.0 1980 2.98 3.33 6.82 6.73 3.55 3.90 3.07 3.38 3.22 64.0 66.3 82.9 83.0 67.0 70.9 1981 2.77 3.48 6.93 7.42 4.12 3.65 2.89 3.58 3.17 62.3 66.7 82.8 84.5 72.5 - 1982 2.79 3.21 5.59 5.59 3.96 5.66 2.92 3.43 3.11 62.7 66.2 78.4 77.8 71.4 80.9 1983 2.54 3.01 5.79 5.86 3.37 3.55 3.02 3.14 3.10 61.5 65.4 81.1 81.5 68.2 70.5 1984 2.64 2.84 5.84 5.77 3.62 5.78 3.20 3.03 3.11 62.3 63.9 80.7 80.0 69.8 79.5 1985 2.50 2.89 5.42 5.45 5.20 4.97 2.72 3.01 2.87 61.2 64.3 78.9 78.6 79.1 77.0 1986 2.75 3.13 6.44 6.08 3.32 4.37 2.89 3.19 3.03 62.8 65.1 80.7 79.8 66.5 73.4 1987 3.00 3.20 6.36 5.96 4.69 4.70 3.10 3.26 3.16 64.2 65.6 81.2 79.6 74.8 74.8 1988 2.83 3.36 6.77 6.78 4.75 4.64 2.93 3.41 3.18 63.0 66.6 82.1 82.4 74.7 73.8 1989 2.56 2.86 5.87 5.77 4.23 5.83 2.77 2.99 2.87 62.3 64.5 80.8 81.0 73.8 82.2

280 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Year Whole weight (kg) Fork Length (cm) 1SW 2SW PS ALL SEA AGES TOTAL 1SW 2SW PS NA E NA E NA E NA E NA E NA E NA E 1990 2.53 2.61 6.47 5.78 3.90 5.09 2.67 2.72 2.69 62.3 62.7 83.4 81.1 72.6 78.6 1991 2.42 2.54 5.82 6.23 5.15 5.09 2.57 2.79 2.65 61.6 62.7 80.6 82.2 81.7 80.0 1992 2.54 2.66 6.49 6.01 4.09 5.28 2.86 2.74 2.81 62.3 63.2 83.4 81.1 77.4 82.7 1995 2.37 2.67 6.09 5.88 3.71 4.98 2.45 2.75 2.56 61.0 63.2 81.3 81.0 70.9 81.3 1996 2.63 2.86 6.50 6.30 4.98 5.44 2.83 2.90 2.88 62.8 64.0 81.4 81.1 77.1 79.4 1997 2.57 2.82 7.95 6.11 4.82 6.9 2.63 2.84 2.71 62.3 63.6 85.7 84.0 79.4 87.0 1998 2.72 2.83 6.44 - 3.28 4.77 2.76 2.84 2.78 62.0 62.7 84.0 - 66.3 76.0 1999 3.02 3.03 7.59 - 4.20 - 3.09 3.03 3.08 63.8 63.5 86.6 - 70.9 - 2000 2.47 2.81 - - 2.58 - 2.47 2.81 2.57 60.7 63.2 - - 64.7 - 2001 2.89 3.03 6.76 5.96 4.41 4.06 2.95 3.09 3.00 63.1 63.7 81.7 79.1 75.3 72.1 2002 2.84 2.92 7.12 - 5.00 - 2.89 2.92 2.90 62.6 62.1 83.0 - 75.8 - 2003 2.94 3.08 8.82 5.58 4.04 - 3.02 3.10 3.04 63 64.4 86.1 78.3 71.4 - 2004 3.11 2.95 7.33 5.22 4.71 6.48 3.17 3.22 3.18 64.7 65.0 86.2 76.4 77.6 88.0 2005 3.19 3.33 7.05 4.19 4.31 2.89 3.31 3.33 3.31 65.9 66.4 83.3 75.5 73.7 62.3 2006 3.10 3.25 9.72 5.05 3.67 3.25 3.26 3.24 65.3 65.3 90.0 76.8 69.5 2007 2.89 2.87 6.19 6.47 4.94 3.57 2.98 2.99 2.98 63.5 63.3 80.9 80.6 76.7 71.3 2008 3.04 3.03 6.35 7.47 3.82 3.39 3.08 3.07 3.08 64.6 63.9 80.1 85.5 71.1 73.0 2009 3.28 3.40 7.59 6.54 5.25 4.28 3.48 3.67 3.50 64.9 65.5 84.6 81.7 75.9 73.5 2010 3.44 3.24 6.40 5.45 4.17 3.92 3.47 3.28 3.42 66.7 65.2 80.0 75.0 72.4 70.0 2011 3.30 3.18 5.69 4.94 4.46 5.11 3.39 3.49 3.40 65.8 64.7 78.6 75.0 73.7 76.3 2012 3.34 3.38 6.00 4.51 4.65 3.65 3.44 3.40 3.44 65.4 64.9 75.9 70.4 72.8 68.9 2013 3.33 3.16 6.43 4.51 3.64 5.38 3.39 3.20 3.35 66.2 64.6 81.0 72.8 69.9 73.6 2014 3.25 3.02 7.60 6.00 4.47 5.42 3.39 3.13 3.32 65.6 64.7 86.0 78.7 73.6 83.5

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 281

Year Whole weight (kg) Fork Length (cm) 1SW 2SW PS ALL SEA AGES TOTAL 1SW 2SW PS NA E NA E NA E NA E NA E NA E NA E 2015 3.36 3.13 7.52 7.1 4.53 3.81 3.42 3.18 3.37 65.6 64.4 84.1 82.5 74.2 67.2 2016 3.18 2.79 7.77 5.18 4.03 4.12 3.32 2.89 3.18 65.2 62.6 85.1 76.0 72.2 70.9 2017 3.42 3.31 6.50 3.69 4.94 8.00 3.50 3.36 3.26 66.6 64.8 85.1 72.4 76.7 81.9 Prev. 10-yr 3.24 3.12 6.75 5.82 4.40 4.27 3.34 3.23 3.30 65.4 64.4 81.6 77.3 73.3 72.8 mean

Overall 2.90 3.16 6.67 6.12 4.13 4.78 3.05 3.24 3.14 63.6 65.2 82.1 80.6 72.0 75.8 mean

282 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 5.2.1.2. River age distribution (%) and mean river age for all North American origin salmon caught at West Greenland, 1968 to 1992 and 1995 to present.

YEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1968 0.3 19.6 40.4 21.3 16.2 2.2 0 0 1969 0 27.1 45.8 19.6 6.5 0.9 0 0 1970 0 58.1 25.6 11.6 2.3 2.3 0 0 1971 1.2 32.9 36.5 16.5 9.4 3.5 0 0 1972 0.8 31.9 51.4 10.6 3.9 1.2 0.4 0 1973 2.0 40.8 34.7 18.4 2.0 2.0 0 0 1974 0.9 36 36.6 12.0 11.7 2.6 0.3 0 1975 0.4 17.3 47.6 24.4 6.2 4.0 0 0 1976 0.7 42.6 30.6 14.6 10.9 0.4 0.4 0 1977 ------1978 2.7 31.9 43.0 13.6 6.0 2.0 0.9 0 1979 4.2 39.9 40.6 11.3 2.8 1.1 0.1 0 1980 5.9 36.3 32.9 16.3 7.9 0.7 0.1 0 1981 3.5 31.6 37.5 19.0 6.6 1.6 0.2 0 1982 1.4 37.7 38.3 15.9 5.8 0.7 0 0.2 1983 3.1 47.0 32.6 12.7 3.7 0.8 0.1 0 1984 4.8 51.7 28.9 9.0 4.6 0.9 0.2 0 1985 5.1 41.0 35.7 12.1 4.9 1.1 0.1 0 1986 2.0 39.9 33.4 20.0 4.0 0.7 0 0 1987 3.9 41.4 31.8 16.7 5.8 0.4 0 0 1988 5.2 31.3 30.8 20.9 10.7 1.0 0.1 0 1989 7.9 39.0 30.1 15.9 5.9 1.3 0 0 1990 8.8 45.3 30.7 12.1 2.4 0.5 0.1 0

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 283

YEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1991 5.2 33.6 43.5 12.8 3.9 0.8 0.3 0 1992 6.7 36.7 34.1 19.1 3.2 0.3 0 0 1993 ------1994 ------1995 2.4 19.0 45.4 22.6 8.8 1.8 0.1 0 1996 1.7 18.7 46.0 23.8 8.8 0.8 0.1 0 1997 1.3 16.4 48.4 17.6 15.1 1.3 0 0 1998 4.0 35.1 37.0 16.5 6.1 1.1 0.1 0 1999 2.7 23.5 50.6 20.3 2.9 0.0 0 0 2000 3.2 26.6 38.6 23.4 7.6 0.6 0 0 2001 1.9 15.2 39.4 32.0 10.8 0.7 0 0 2002 1.5 27.4 46.5 14.2 9.5 0.9 0 0 2003 2.6 28.8 38.9 21.0 7.6 1.1 0 0 2004 1.9 19.1 51.9 22.9 3.7 0.5 0 0 2005 2.7 21.4 36.3 30.5 8.5 0.5 0 0 2006 0.6 13.9 44.6 27.6 12.3 1.0 0 0 2007 1.6 27.7 34.5 26.2 9.2 0.9 0 0 2008 0.9 25.1 51.9 16.8 4.7 0.6 0 0 2009 2.6 30.7 47.3 15.4 3.7 0.4 0 0 2010 1.6 21.7 47.9 21.7 6.3 0.8 0 0 2011 1.0 35.9 45.9 14.4 2.8 0 0 0 2012 0.3 29.8 39.4 23.3 6.5 0.7 0 0 2013 0.1 32.6 37.3 20.8 8.6 0.6 0 0 2014 0.4 26.0 44.5 21.9 6.9 0.4 0 0 2015 0.1 31.6 40.6 21.6 6.0 0.2 0 0

284 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

YEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2016 0.1 21.3 43.3 26.8 7.3 1.1 0 0 2017 0.3 31.0 41.6 19.6 7.2 0.3 0 0 Previous ten-year mean 0.9 28.2 43.3 20.9 6.2 0.6 0 0 Overall Mean 2.4 31.3 39.8 18.7 6.8 1.0 0.1 0

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 285

Table 5.2.1.3. River age distribution (%) and mean river age for all European origin salmon caught in West Greenland, 1968 to 1992 and 1995 to present.

YEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1968 21.6 60.3 15.2 2.7 0.3 0 0 0 1969 0 83.8 16.2 0 0 0 0 0 1970 0 90.4 9.6 0 0 0 0 0 1971 9.3 66.5 19.9 3.1 1.2 0 0 0 1972 11.0 71.2 16.7 1.0 0.1 0 0 0 1973 26.0 58.0 14.0 2.0 0 0 0 0 1974 22.9 68.2 8.5 0.4 0 0 0 0 1975 26.0 53.4 18.2 2.5 0 0 0 0 1976 23.5 67.2 8.4 0.6 0.3 0 0 0 1977 ------1978 26.2 65.4 8.2 0.2 0 0 0 0 1979 23.6 64.8 11.0 0.6 0 0 0 0 1980 25.8 56.9 14.7 2.5 0.2 0 0 0 1981 15.4 67.3 15.7 1.6 0 0 0 0 1982 15.6 56.1 23.5 4.2 0.7 0 0 0 1983 34.7 50.2 12.3 2.4 0.3 0.1 0.1 0 1984 22.7 56.9 15.2 4.2 0.9 0.2 0 0 1985 20.2 61.6 14.9 2.7 0.6 0 0 0 1986 19.5 62.5 15.1 2.7 0.2 0 0 0 1987 19.2 62.5 14.8 3.3 0.3 0 0 0 1988 18.4 61.6 17.3 2.3 0.5 0 0 0 1989 18.0 61.7 17.4 2.7 0.3 0 0 0 1990 15.9 56.3 23.0 4.4 0.2 0.2 0 0

286 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

YEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1991 20.9 47.4 26.3 4.2 1.2 0 0 0 1992 11.8 38.2 42.8 6.5 0.6 0 0 0 1993 ------1994 ------1995 14.8 67.3 17.2 0.6 0 0 0 0 1996 15.8 71.1 12.2 0.9 0 0 0 0 1997 4.1 58.1 37.8 0.0 0 0 0 0 1998 28.6 60.0 7.6 2.9 0.0 1.0 0 0 1999 27.7 65.1 7.2 0 0 0 0 0 2000 36.5 46.7 13.1 2.9 0.7 0 0 0 2001 16.0 51.2 27.3 4.9 0.7 0 0 0 2002 9.4 62.9 20.1 7.6 0 0 0 0 2003 16.2 58.0 22.1 3.0 0.8 0 0 0 2004 18.3 57.7 20.5 3.2 0.2 0 0 0 2005 19.2 60.5 15.0 5.4 0 0 0 0 2006 17.7 54.0 23.6 3.7 0.9 0 0 0 2007 7.0 48.5 33.0 10.5 1.0 0 0 0 2008 7.0 72.8 19.3 0.8 0.0 0 0 0 2009 14.3 59.5 23.8 2.4 0.0 0 0 0 2010 11.3 57.1 27.3 3.4 0.8 0 0 0 2011 19.0 51.7 27.6 1.7 0 0 0 0 2012 9.3 63.0 24.0 3.7 0 0 0 0 2013 4.5 68.2 24.4 2.5 0 0 0 0 2014 4.5 60.7 30.8 4.0 0 0 0 0 2015 9.2 54.9 28.8 5.8 1.2 0 0 0

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 287

YEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2016 2.5 63.3 29.6 4.3 0.3 0 0 0 2017 10.0 73.0 15.4 1.7 0 0 0 0 Previous ten-year mean 8.9 60.0 26.9 3.9 0.3 0 0 0 Overall Mean 16.4 61.1 19.3 2.8 0.3 0 0 0

288 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 5.2.1.4. Sea age composition (%) of samples from fishery landings in West Greenland from by continent of origin, 1985 to 2016.

Year North American European 1SW 2SW PREVIOUS SPAWNERS 1SW 2SW PREVIOUS SPAWNERS

1985 92.5 7.2 0.3 95.0 4.7 0.4 1986 95.1 3.9 1.0 97.5 1.9 0.6 1987 96.3 2.3 1.4 98.0 1.7 0.3 1988 96.7 2.0 1.2 98.1 1.3 0.5 1989 92.3 5.2 2.4 95.5 3.8 0.6 1990 95.7 3.4 0.9 96.3 3.0 0.7 1991 95.6 4.1 0.4 93.4 6.5 0.2 1992 91.9 8.0 0.1 97.5 2.1 0.4 1993 ------1994 ------1995 96.8 1.5 1.7 97.3 2.2 0.5 1996 94.1 3.8 2.1 96.1 2.7 1.2 1997 98.2 0.6 1.2 99.3 0.4 0.4 1998 96.8 0.5 2.7 99.4 0.0 0.6 1999 96.8 1.2 2.0 100.0 0.0 0.0 2000 97.4 0.0 2.6 100.0 0.0 0.0 2001 98.2 2.6 0.5 97.8 2.0 0.3 2002 97.3 0.9 1.8 100.0 0.0 0.0 2003 96.7 1.0 2.3 98.9 1.1 0.0 2004 97.0 0.5 2.5 97.0 2.8 0.2 2005 92.4 1.2 6.4 96.7 1.1 2.2 2006 93.0 0.8 5.6 98.8 0.0 1.2 2007 96.5 1.0 2.5 95.6 2.5 1.5

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 289

Year North American European 1SW 2SW PREVIOUS SPAWNERS 1SW 2SW PREVIOUS SPAWNERS 2008 97.4 0.5 2.2 98.8 0.8 0.4 2009 93.4 2.8 3.8 89.4 7.6 3.0 2010 98.2 0.4 1.4 97.5 1.7 0.8 2011 93.8 1.5 4.7 82.8 12.1 5.2 2012 93.2 0.7 6.0 98.0 1.6 0.4 2013 94.9 1.4 3.7 96.6 2.4 1.0 2014 91.3 1.1 7.6 96.1 2.4 1.5 2015 97.0 0.7 2.3 98.2 1.2 0.6 2016 93.5 2.5 4.0 95.5 3.5 1.0 2017 92.5 1.5 6.0 93.1 5.7 1.2 Previous ten-year mean 94.9 1.3 3.8 94.9 3.6 1.5 Overall Mean 95.2 2.1 2.7 96.6 2.5 0.9

290 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 5.2.2.1. The number of samples and continent of origin of Atlantic salmon by NAFO Division sampled in West Greenland in 2017. NA = North America, E = Europe.

Numbers Percentages

NAFO Div Sample dates NA E Totals NA E

1B Sep 13–Oct 11 277 68 345 80.3 19.7

1C Sep 13–Oct 02 252 89 341 73.9 26.1

1E Sep 28–Oct 03 11 4 15 73.3 26.7

1F Aug 23–Oct 04 194 91 285 68.1 31.9

TOTAL 734 252 986 74.4 25.6

Table 5.2.2.2. Reporting groups in the North American Atlantic Salmon microsatellite baseline. Corre- spondence between ICES areas used for the assessment of status of North American salmon stocks and the reporting groups is also defined. See Figure 5.2.2.2 for sample locations.

ICES REGION REGIONAL GROUP GROUP ACRONYM

Québec Ungava / Northern Labrador UNG Labrador Labrador Central LAB Québec / Labrador South QLS Québec Québec QUE Anticosti ANT Gaspe GAS Gulf Gulf of St Lawrence GUL Scotia-Fundy Nova Scotia NOS Inner Bay of Fundy FUN USA USA US Newfoundland Newfoundland NFL Avalon AVA

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 291

Table 5.2.2.3. SNP baseline with reporting group code, number of populations and individuals, See Figure 2 for location details.

North America Europe

Reporting Group Code Reporting Group Code Anticosti ANT Baltic Sea BAL Avalon Peninsula AVA Barents-White Seas BAR Eastern Nova Scotia ENS UK/Ireland BRI Gaspé Peninnsula GAS France FRN Gulf of St Lawrence GUL Iceland ICE Inner Bay of Fundy IBF Northern Norway NNO Labrador LAB Southern Norway SNO Lake Melville MEL Spain SPN Newfoundland 1 NF1 Newfoundland 2 NF2 St Lawrence North Shore-Upper NLS St. Lawrence North Shore-Lower QLS Northwest Newfoundland NWN Northern Newfoundland NNF Québec City Region QUE Saint John River & Aquaculture SJR Ungava Bay UNG Maine, United States USA Western Newfoundland WNF

Western Nova Scotia WNS

292 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 5.2.2.4. The estimated numbers of North American (NA) and European (E) Atlantic salmon caught in West Greenland and the percentage by continent of origin, based on NAFO Division continent of origin weighted by catch (weight) in each division, 1971 to 1992 and 1995 to present. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred fish. Unreported catch is not included in this assessment.

Year Percentageby continent weighted by catch in number Numbers of salmon by continent NA E NA E

1982 57 43 192 200 143 800 1983 40 60 39 500 60 500 1984 54 46 48 800 41 200 1985 47 53 143 500 161 500 1986 59 41 188 300 131 900 1987 59 41 171 900 126 400 1988 43 57 125 500 168 800 1989 55 45 65 000 52 700 1990 74 26 62 400 21 700 1991 63 37 111 700 65 400 1992 45 55 46 900 38 500 1995 67 33 21 400 10 700 1996 70 30 22 400 9700 1997 85 15 18 000 3300 1998 79 21 3100 900 1999 91 9 5700 600 2000 65 35 5100 2700 2001 67 33 9400 4700 2002 69 31 2300 1000 2003 64 36 2600 1400 2004 72 28 3900 1500 2005 74 26 3500 1200 2006 69 31 4000 1800 2007 76 24 6100 1900 2008 86 14 8000 1300 2009 89 11 7000 800 2010 80 20 10 000 2600 2011 93 7 6800 600 2012 79 21 7800 2100 2013 82 18 11 500 2700 2014 72 28 12 800 5400 2015 79 21 13 500 3900 2016 64 36 5100 3300 2017 74 26 6100 2200

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 293

Table 5.2.2.5. Genetic mixture analysis of West Greenland fishery, 2015–2017. Three locations in bold account for >70% of the harvest on average. Mean estimates provided with 95% credible interval in parentheses. Credible intervals with a lower bound of zero indicate little support for the mean assignment value.

Region Overall 2015 2016 2017

GUL 0.263 (0.161, 0.361) 0.225 (0.152, 0.296) 0.243 (0.165, 0.322) 0.306 (0.165, 0.439) FUN 0.001 (0, 0.019) 0.002 (0, 0.013) 0 (0, 0.012) 0 (0, 0.028) QUE 0.083 (0.036, 0.155) 0.119 (0.062, 0.181) 0.076 (0.026, 0.136) 0.06 (0.024, 0.149) GAS 0.275 (0.166, 0.367) 0.29 (0.2, 0.356) 0.218 (0.138, 0.295) 0.305 (0.16, 0.429) ANT 0.016 (0.003, 0.042) 0.028 (0.006, 0.054) 0.016 (0.003, 0.037) 0.007 (0.001, 0.037) QLS 0.041 (0.008, 0.102) 0.022 (0.003, 0.061) 0.05 (0.014, 0.099) 0.05 (0.008, 0.135) AVA 0 (0, 0.013) 0 (0, 0.007) 0 (0, 0.007) 0 (0, 0.023) NFL 0.042 (0.018, 0.126) 0.064 (0.031, 0.149) 0.049 (0.024, 0.124) 0.019 (0.004, 0.111) LAB 0.189 (0.132, 0.285) 0.212 (0.154, 0.29) 0.229 (0.165, 0.315) 0.141 (0.091, 0.259) UNG 0.068 (0.023, 0.123) 0.032 (0.009, 0.061) 0.075 (0.034, 0.114) 0.09 (0.026, 0.175) NOS 0.006 (0, 0.035) 0 (0, 0.008) 0.01 (0.001, 0.04) 0.007 (0, 0.052) USA 0.018 (0.005, 0.045) 0.007 (0.003, 0.018) 0.034 (0.011, 0.066) 0.014 (0.002, 0.051)

Samples 1806 749 508 549

294 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 5.2.2.6. Bayesian estimates of mixture composition for West Greenland Atlantic Salmon fishery by year and region for 2015–2017. Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 5.2.2.2 and Table 5.2.2.2. Sampling locations are identified by NAFO Divisions. Analysis is restricted to North American contributions. Mean estimates provided with 95% credible interval in parentheses. Credible intervals with a lower bound of zero indicate little support for the mean assignment value.

2015 2016 2017

REGION OVERALL NAFO NAFO NAFO OVERALL NAFO NAFO NAFO OVERALL NAFO NAFO NAFO NAFO 1B 1C 1F 1B 1C 1F 1B 1C 1F 1E GUL 0.225 0.309 0.181 0.183 0.243 0.252 0.252 0.225 0.306 0.296 0.255 0.271 0.402 (0.152, (0.245, (0.13, (0.081, (0.165, (0.175, (0.177, (0.143, (0.165, (0.211, (0.179, (0.186, (0.085, 0.296) 0.367) 0.238) 0.282) 0.322) 0.32) 0.338) 0.308) 0.439) 0.365) 0.332) 0.358) 0.701) FUN 0.002 (0, 0 (0, 0.005 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0.001 (0, 0.013) 0.007) 0.021) 0.01) 0.012) 0.011) 0.009) 0.014) 0.028) 0.007) 0.008) 0.006) 0.091) QUE 0.119 0.09 0.098 0.168 0.076 0.052 0.129 0.048 (0, 0.06 0.087 0.11 0.045 0 (0, (0.062, (0.054, (0.061, (0.071, (0.026, (0.015, (0.064, 0.101) (0.024, (0.04, (0.05, (0.007, 0.173) 0.181) 0.137) 0.146) 0.261) 0.136) 0.106) 0.201) 0.149) 0.151) 0.172) 0.1) GAS 0.29 (0.2, 0.349 0.329 0.192 0.218 0.226 0.281 0.148 0.305 0.26 0.301 0.317 0.344 0.356) (0.264, (0.245, (0.092, (0.138, (0.153, (0.188, (0.074, (0.16, (0.176, (0.205, (0.212, (0.047, 0.394) 0.371) 0.304) 0.295) 0.298) 0.36) 0.228) 0.429) 0.33) 0.378) 0.396) 0.613) ANT 0.028 0.013 0.019 0.051 0.016 0 (0, 0.011 (0, 0.035 0.007 0.005 (0, 0.023 0 (0, 0 (0, (0.006, (0.003, (0.005, (0.01, (0.003, 0.006) 0.035) (0.008, (0.001, 0.019) (0.004, 0.009) 0.073) 0.054) 0.028) 0.037) 0.096) 0.037) 0.071) 0.037) 0.048) QLS 0.022 0.025 (0, 0.039 0.001 (0, 0.05 0.104 0.026 (0, 0.018 (0, 0.05 0.062 0.032 (0, 0.071 0.034 (0, (0.003, 0.057) (0.01, 0.054) (0.014, (0.041, 0.077) 0.067) (0.008, (0.016, 0.082) (0.016, 0.231) 0.061) 0.071) 0.099) 0.154) 0.135) 0.111) 0.116) AVA 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0.007) 0.004) 0.005) 0.013) 0.007) 0.007) 0.007) 0.007) 0.023) 0.005) 0.005) 0.008) 0.075) NFL 0.064 0.034 0.064 0.095 0.049 0.084 0 (0, 0.062 0.019 0.018 0.011 (0, 0.049 0 (0, (0.031, (0.02, (0.045, (0.029, (0.024, (0.048, 0.051) (0.026, (0.004, (0.007, 0.102) (0.008, 0.12) 0.149) 0.102) 0.129) 0.216) 0.124) 0.165) 0.156) 0.111) 0.088) 0.136) LAB 0.212 0.155 0.216 0.264 0.229 0.167 0.213 0.308 0.141 0.231 0.141 0.152 0.04 (0,

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2015 2016 2017

REGION OVERALL NAFO NAFO NAFO OVERALL NAFO NAFO NAFO OVERALL NAFO NAFO NAFO NAFO 1B 1C 1F 1B 1C 1F 1B 1C 1F 1E (0.154, (0.118, (0.173, (0.17, (0.165, (0.115, (0.149, (0.23, (0.091, (0.171, (0.092, (0.103, 0.267) 0.29) 0.207) 0.277) 0.386) 0.315) 0.244) 0.29) 0.411) 0.259) 0.31) 0.219) 0.241) UNG 0.032 0.024 0.026 0.046 0.075 0.046 0.066 0.114 0.09 0.016 (0, 0.114 0.052 0.177 (0.009, (0.008, (0.008, (0.009, (0.034, (0.017, (0.03, (0.055, (0.026, 0.042) (0.062, (0.018, (0.025, 0.061) 0.039) 0.045) 0.099) 0.114) 0.074) 0.104) 0.163) 0.175) 0.151) 0.085) 0.424) NOS 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0 (0, 0.01 0.02 0.009 (0, 0.002 (0, 0.007 (0, 0.011 (0, 0.001 (0, 0.016 (0, 0 (0, 0.008) 0.008) 0.004) 0.013) (0.001, (0.003, 0.049) 0.023) 0.052) 0.035) 0.017) 0.059) 0.096) 0.04) 0.048)

USA 0.007 0 (0, 0.021 0 (0, 0.034 0.049 0.013 0.039 0.014 0.012 (0, 0.013 (0, 0.029 0.003 (0, (0.003, 0.004) (0.008, 0.01) (0.011, (0.021, (0.002, (0.011, (0.002, 0.035) 0.035) (0.008, 0.071) 0.018) 0.04) 0.066) 0.082) 0.041) 0.075) 0.051) 0.061)

296 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 5.2.2.7. Bayesian estimates of mixture composition for West Greenland Atlantic Salmon fishery by region for 2017 using the range-wide SNP baseline. Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 5.2.2.3 and abbreviations in Table 5.2.2.3. Sampling locations are identified by NAFO Divisions. This analysis included both east and west Atlantic contributions. Mean estimates provided with 95% credible interval in parentheses. Credible intervals with a lower bound of zero indicate little support for the mean assignment value. Bolded non- grey entries are displayed in Figure 5.2.3.4.

Region Overall NAFO 1C NAFO 1F NAFO 1B NAFO 1E

GL 0 (0, 0) 0 (0, 0) 0 (0, 0) 0 (0, 0) 0 (0, 0) SPN 0.01 (0.003, 0.022) 0.007 (0.001, 0.019) 0.011 (0.002, 0.025) 0.024 (0.01, 0.043) 0.001 (0, 0.003) FRN 0.006 (0.001, 0.016) 0.003 (0, 0.011) 0.011 (0.002, 0.027) 0.011 (0.003, 0.025) 0 (0, 0) BRI 0.234 (0.157, 0.33) 0.247 (0.202, 0.294) 0.28 (0.229, 0.335) 0.151 (0.114, 0.191) 0.259 (0.084, 0.499) BAL 0 (0, 0.001) 0 (0, 0) 0 (0, 0) 0 (0, 0) 0.001 (0, 0.004) SNO 0.007 (0, 0.032) 0.001 (0, 0.009) 0.01 (0.001, 0.025) 0.006 (0, 0.017) 0.009 (0, 0.078) NNO 0.001 (0, 0.008) 0 (0, 0.002) 0 (0, 0.002) 0 (0, 0.001) 0.002 (0, 0.028) ICE 0.004 (0, 0.012) 0.003 (0, 0.011) 0.007 (0.001, 0.019) 0.006 (0.001, 0.016) 0.001 (0, 0.001) BAR 0 (0, 0.004) 0 (0, 0.001) 0 (0, 0.001) 0 (0, 0.001) 0.001 (0, 0.015) USA 0.013 (0.004, 0.027) 0.012 (0.003, 0.026) 0.014 (0.003, 0.032) 0.026 (0.011, 0.047) 0.001 (0, 0.003) WNS 0 (0, 0.002) 0 (0, 0) 0 (0, 0) 0.001 (0, 0.007) 0 (0, 0.001) ENS 0.007 (0.001, 0.022) 0.013 (0.003, 0.028) 0.009 (0, 0.026) 0.004 (0, 0.017) 0.002 (0, 0.017) IBF 0 (0, 0.003) 0 (0, 0.001) 0 (0, 0.001) 0 (0, 0.001) 0.001 (0, 0.01) GUL 0.228 (0.148, 0.328) 0.192 (0.148, 0.241) 0.223 (0.172, 0.28) 0.277 (0.227, 0.33) 0.218 (0.043, 0.462) SJR 0 (0, 0.004) 0 (0, 0.002) 0 (0, 0.001) 0 (0, 0.002) 0.001 (0, 0.01) QUE 0.006 (0, 0.028) 0.013 (0, 0.04) 0.005 (0, 0.031) 0.007 (0, 0.032) 0.001 (0, 0.009) GAS 0.211 (0.131, 0.311) 0.236 (0.187, 0.289) 0.173 (0.124, 0.225) 0.207 (0.158, 0.256) 0.229 (0.054, 0.474) ANT 0.006 (0.001, 0.013) 0.017 (0.005, 0.033) 0 (0, 0) 0.006 (0.001, 0.016) 0.001 (0, 0.003) NLS 0.002 (0, 0.007) 0.006 (0, 0.025) 0 (0, 0.001) 0 (0, 0) 0 (0, 0.001) QLS 0.053 (0.021, 0.113) 0.03 (0.014, 0.051) 0.064 (0.037, 0.097) 0.054 (0.031, 0.082) 0.066 (0.002, 0.222) AVA 0 (0, 0.004) 0 (0, 0.001) 0 (0, 0.001) 0 (0, 0.001) 0.001 (0, 0.015) NF1 0.003 (0, 0.019) 0.006 (0, 0.016) 0.003 (0, 0.012) 0.001 (0, 0.009) 0.003 (0, 0.037) NF2 0.002 (0, 0.013) 0.001 (0, 0.008) 0.007 (0, 0.02) 0 (0, 0.003) 0.002 (0, 0.02) WNF 0.003 (0, 0.009) 0 (0, 0) 0.008 (0, 0.022) 0.002 (0, 0.01) 0.001 (0, 0.003) NNF 0.003 (0, 0.009) 0 (0, 0) 0.007 (0.001, 0.022) 0.004 (0, 0.014) 0.001 (0, 0.001) NWN 0.009 (0.003, 0.02) 0.011 (0.002, 0.026) 0 (0, 0.001) 0.022 (0.008, 0.04) 0.001 (0, 0.013) MEL 0.016 (0.003, 0.053) 0.013 (0, 0.033) 0.029 (0.012, 0.052) 0.013 (0.001, 0.034) 0.008 (0, 0.091) LAB 0.107 (0.065, 0.177) 0.122 (0.087, 0.161) 0.095 (0.063, 0.134) 0.148 (0.112, 0.189) 0.064 (0, 0.225) UNG 0.067 (0.024, 0.135) 0.068 (0.044, 0.097) 0.043 (0.023, 0.07) 0.03 (0.014, 0.05) 0.126 (0.017, 0.324)

Samples 986 341 285 345 15

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Table 5.4.1. Management objectives and equivalent number of fish relevant to the development of catch options at West Greenland for the six geographic areas in NAC and the Southern NEAC non- maturing complex.

Area Objective Number of fish

US 2SW proportion of recovery criteria 4549

Scotia-Fundy 25% increase from 2SW returns during 1992 10 976 to 1997 Gulf 2SW conservation limit 30 430

Québec 2SW conservation limit 29 446

Newfoundland 2SW conservation limit 4022

Labrador 2SW conservation limit 34 746

Southern NEAC non- MSW conservation limit 324 126 maturing complex (Spawner escapement reserve to Jan. 1 of (550 081) first winter at sea)

298 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Table 5.4.2. Catch options tables for the mixed-stock fishery at West Greenland by year of PFA, 2018 to 2020. For the Simultaneous achievement, 0 refers to null attainment out of 5000 draws.

2018 Probability of meeting or exceeding region-specific management objectives Catch Labrador Newfoundland Québec Gulf Scotia- US Southern Simultaneous option Fundy NEAC

0 0.871 0.308 0.387 0.087 0.001 0.001 0.369 0.000 10 0.857 0.295 0.363 0.084 0.001 0.001 0.365 0.000 20 0.842 0.283 0.340 0.080 0.001 0.001 0.360 0.000 30 0.825 0.271 0.316 0.074 0.001 0.001 0.355 0.000 40 0.813 0.254 0.293 0.068 0.001 0.001 0.351 0.000 50 0.797 0.240 0.273 0.064 0.001 0.001 0.348 0.000 60 0.780 0.228 0.259 0.061 0.001 0.001 0.344 0.000 70 0.762 0.216 0.241 0.057 0.001 0.001 0.341 0.000 80 0.742 0.204 0.224 0.053 0.001 0.001 0.337 0.000 90 0.725 0.191 0.205 0.048 0.001 0.001 0.333 0.000 100 0.705 0.178 0.193 0.045 0.000 0.001 0.330 0.000 2019 Probability of meeting or exceeding region-specific management objectives Catch Labrador Newfoundland Québec Gulf Scotia- US Southern Simultaneous option Fundy NEAC 0 0.888 0.289 0.271 0.102 0.000 0.002 0.417 0.000 10 0.875 0.278 0.258 0.098 0.000 0.001 0.412 0.000 20 0.863 0.266 0.243 0.094 0.000 0.001 0.408 0.000 30 0.851 0.253 0.230 0.088 0.000 0.001 0.405 0.000 40 0.838 0.244 0.216 0.083 0.000 0.001 0.400 0.000 50 0.823 0.235 0.205 0.080 0.000 0.001 0.397 0.000 60 0.810 0.224 0.193 0.076 0.000 0.001 0.394 0.000 70 0.795 0.215 0.182 0.071 0.000 0.001 0.389 0.000 80 0.782 0.205 0.173 0.066 0.000 0.001 0.384 0.000 90 0.765 0.196 0.163 0.063 0.000 0.001 0.379 0.000 100 0.749 0.187 0.155 0.059 0.000 0.001 0.376 0.000 2020 Probability of meeting or exceeding region-specific management objectives Catch Labrador Newfoundland Québec Gulf Scotia- US Southern Simultaneous option Fundy NEAC 0 0.898 0.392 0.316 0.194 0.003 0.006 0.548 0.000 10 0.889 0.379 0.305 0.186 0.003 0.006 0.544 0.000 20 0.881 0.368 0.290 0.181 0.003 0.006 0.540 0.000 30 0.872 0.357 0.281 0.176 0.003 0.006 0.536 0.000 40 0.861 0.348 0.270 0.171 0.003 0.006 0.532 0.000 50 0.849 0.339 0.260 0.165 0.003 0.006 0.527 0.000 60 0.838 0.329 0.250 0.159 0.002 0.005 0.523 0.000 70 0.827 0.319 0.240 0.155 0.002 0.005 0.520 0.000 80 0.813 0.311 0.229 0.150 0.002 0.005 0.514 0.000 90 0.802 0.302 0.220 0.142 0.002 0.005 0.512 0.000

100 0.788 0.295 0.211 0.137 0.002 0.005 0.510 0.000

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Table 5.9.1.1. Indicator variables retained from the North American geographic area. First year of PFA and end year of PFA refer to the start and end years of the indicator variable scaled to a common life stage (the PFA equals smolt year + 1). Number of years refers to the number of usable observations. All indicators with a true low or a true high ≥80% were incorporated into the framework.

TYPE ORIGIN AGE AREA RIVER UNIT PFA PFA END NUMBER 2017 THRESHOLD INDICATOR INDICATOR GROUP START YEAR OF YEARS VALUE* LOW (TRUE HIGH YEAR LOW) (TRUE HIGH)

RETURN W & H 2SW USA PENOBSCOT NUMBER 1970 2016 47 530 2368 1 1

Return W Large SF LaHave Number 1972 2016 45 51 285 0.81 0.85 Return W Large SF North Number 1983 2016 34 192 626 0.96 0.74 Return W Large SF Saint John Number 1969 2016 48 83 3329 0.97 1 Return W 1SW SF LaHave Number 1979 2016 38 45 1679 0.96 0.67 Return W 1SW SF Saint John Number 1970 2016 47 195 2276 0.89 0.80 Survival H 2SW SF Saint John % 1975 2016 42 0.04 0.222 0.96 0.81 Survival H 1SW SF Saint John % 1975 2016 42 0.10 0.763 0.89 0.73

Return W 2SW Gulf Miramichi Number 1970 2016 47 10149 14669 1 0.82 Return W 2SW Gulf Margaree Number 1983 2016 34 1550 3149 0.88 0.56 Return W 1SW Gulf Miramichi Number 1971 2016 46 1330 41588 0.92 0.68

Return W Large Quebec Bonaventure Number 1983 2016 34 1067 1479 0.82 0.76 Return W Large Quebec Grande Number 1983 2016 34 467 442 1 0.89 Rivière Return W Large Quebec Saint-Jean Number 1983 2016 34 554 758 0.88 0.78

300 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

TYPE ORIGIN AGE AREA RIVER UNIT PFA PFA END NUMBER 2017 THRESHOLD INDICATOR INDICATOR GROUP START YEAR OF YEARS VALUE* LOW (TRUE HIGH YEAR LOW) (TRUE HIGH)

RETURN W & H 2SW USA PENOBSCOT NUMBER 1970 2016 47 530 2368 1 1 Return W Large Quebec Dartmouth Number 1983 2016 34 927 756 0.84 0.87 Return W Large Quebec Madeleine Number 1983 2016 34 672 672 0.88 0.79 Return W Large Quebec York Number 1983 2016 34 1267 1405 0.73 0.83 Return W Large Quebec de la Trinité Number 1983 2016 34 264 385 0.82 1 Return W Small Quebec de la Trinité Number 1979 2016 38 212 582 0.83 0.85 Survival W Large Quebec de la Trinité % 1985 2016 31 0.40 0.49 0.92 0.68 Survival W Large Quebec Saint-Jean % 1990 2015 25 1.18 0.72 1 0.50

Return W MSW Scotland North Esk - Number 1980 2016 37 6196 8369 0.72 1 HW

* 2017 value: or if not available, the latest value of the time-series

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! Upernavik

1A Uummannaq

0A Qeqertarsuaq

Ilulissat Aasiaat Qasigiannguit Kangaatsiaq 1B Sisimiut Sarfannguaq

Kangaamiut

Maniitsoq 1C Atammik

Nuuk 0B 1D Qeqertarsuatsiaat

Paamuit

Ivittuut 1E Narsaq Arsuk ! Qassimiut Qaqortoq ! 1F Nanortalik

Figure 5.1.1.1. Map of southwest Greenland showing communities to which Atlantic salmon have historically been landed and corresponding NAFO divisions. In 2017 samples were obtained from Sisimiut (NAFO Division 1B), Maniitsoq (1C), Paamiut (1E) and Qaqortoq (1F).

302 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

3000

2500 Total Quota 2000

1500

Catches (t) Catches 1000

500

0 1960 1967 1974 1981 1988 1995 2002 2009 2016 Year

Figure 5.1.1.2. Nominal catches and commercial quotas (t, round fresh weight) of salmon at West Greenland for 1960–2017 (top panel) and 2008–2017 (bottom panel). Total reported landings from 2008–2017 are displayed by landings type. No quotas were set from 2002–2011, a factory only quota was set from 2012–2014, and a single quota of 45 t for all components of the fishery was applied in 2015. The 2016 quota was reduced to 32 t due to overharvest of the 2015 TAC. The 2017 quota was set to 45 t.

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6000 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F 5000

4000

3000

Kilograms 2000

1000

0 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 unk Standard week

100%

80% 1A 60% 1B 1C Percent 40% 1D 20% 1E 1F 0% 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 unk Standard week

1A 1B 1C 1D 1E 1F 30

No. of reports 10

0 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 unk Standard week

Figure 5.1.1.3. Reported landings for the 2017Atlantic salmon fishery by NAFO Division (landings from ICES Division 14 are excluded, but amounted to 0.3 t). Reported landings are presented by NAFO Division and standard week by kilograms (top), proportion within each standard week (middle), and by number of reports received. Standard week 30 represents July 23–29 and included a single catch report of 2 kg. Reports received with no associated date are group under an unknown category (‘unk’). The fishery was open from August 15 (standard week 33) through October 31 (standard week 44).

304 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

1000 No. licenses issued No. fishers reporting No. reports 750

500 Number Number

250

0 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017

1000 No. licensed fishers reporting

750 No. licensed reports

500 Number Number

250

0 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017

300 No. unlicensed fishers reporting

No. unlicensed reports 200 Number Number

100

0 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017

Figure 5.1.1.4. Number of licences issued (2001–2017), total number of fishers reporting landings (2001–2017), and the total number of reports received (2010–2017; top). The number of fishers reporting and the number of reports received for licensed (middle) and unlicensed (bottom) fishers are also provided. Data describing licensed and unlicensed fisher landings reports are only available since 2010.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 305

45%

40% North American

35% European 30%

25%

20%

Exploitation rate 15%

10%

0% 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 Year

10%

5% Exploitation rate

0% 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Year

Figure 5.1.3.1. Exploitation rate (%) for NAC 1SW non-maturing and Southern NEAC non-maturing Atlantic salmon at West Greenland, 1971–2016 (top) and 2007–2016 (bottom). Exploitation rate estimates are only available to 2016, as 2017 exploitation rates are dependent on 2018 returns.

306 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 5.2.2.1. Map showing total samples and subsamples for West Greenland Atlantic Salmon fishery 2015–2017 for both microsatellite and SNP analyses. Grey circles represent total sample size, blue circles the subset analysed.

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 307

Figure 5.2.2.2. Map of sample locations used in microsatellite baseline for Atlantic salmon in North America and resulting regional groupings. See Table 5.2.2.1 for location abbreviations.

308 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 5.2.2.3. Map of sample locations used in SNP baseline for Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic (top) with the eastern Atlantic groups highlighted (bottom) and resulting regional groupings. See Table 5.2.2.2 for location abbreviations.

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100%

80%

60%

Percent 40%

20% European North American 0% 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 Year

Figure 5.2.2.4. Percent of the sampled catch by continent of origin for 1982 to the present.

310 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 5.2.2.5. Percentage of North American and European origin Atlantic salmon sampled from the 2017 Greenland fishery according to NAFO division and community sampled. Samples were collected from four NAFO divisions (1B (Sisimiut), 1C (Maniitsoq), 1E (Paamiut), and 1F (Qaqortoq)). Sample size is provided and the subsample genotyped and analysed is identified parenthetically.

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Figure 5.2.2.6. Percentage of North American (red) and European (blue) origin Atlantic salmon sampled from Greenland fisheries by year (2002–2017) and NAFO Division. Where data are presented, samples were collected during that year and within that division. The Division 1A 2005 value is from a single sample.

312 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

200000 North American European 150000

100000

Number of fish of Number 50000

0 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 Year

16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000

Number of fish of Number 4000 2000 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Year

Figure 5.2.2.7. Number of North American and European Atlantic salmon caught at West Greenland from 1982 to the present (upper panel) and 2008 to the present (lower panel). Estimates are based on continent of origin by NAFO division, weighted by catch (weight) in each division. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred fish. Unreported catch is not included in this assessment.

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Figure 5.2.3.1. Bayesian estimates of mixture composition of samples from the West Greenland Atlantic salmon fishery for 2015 by region and overall using the microsatellite baseline. Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 5.2.2.2 and Table 5.2.2.2.

314 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Figure 5.2.3.2. Bayesian estimates of mixture composition of samples from the West Greenland Atlantic salmon fishery for 2016 by region and overall using the microsatellite baseline. Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 5.2.2.2 and Table 5.2.2.2.

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Figure 5.2.3.3. Bayesian estimates of mixture composition of samples from the West Greenland Atlantic salmon fishery for 2017 by region and overall using the microsatellite baseline. Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 5.2.2.2 and Table 5.2.2.2.

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Figure 5.2.3.4. Bayesian estimates of mixture composition of samples from the West Greenland Atlantic Salmon fishery for 2017 using the SNP baseline. Baseline locations refer to regional reporting groups identified in Figure 5.2.2.3 and Table 5.2.2.3. Only bolded values from bolded non- grey entries from Table 5.2.2.7 are displayed.

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Figure 5.3.1. Summary 2SW (NAC regions) and MSW (Southern NEAC regions) 2017 median spawner estimates in relation to CLs/Management Objectives (MO). Median and 5th percentiles refer to the Monte Carlo posterior distributions of each estimate. The triangle symbol is shown only for cases where the 5th percentile of the estimate is below the corresponding CL/MO. The colour shading represents the percentages of CL/MO attained with red being less than 100% and green being greater than 100%. The intensity of the shading is proportional to the percentage of CL/MO attained with red intensity inversely proportional to percentage of CL/MO attained.

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Figure 5.8.3.1. Flowchart, risk analysis for catch options at West Greenland using the PFANA and the PFANEAC predictions for the year of the fishery. Inputs with solid borders are considered known without error. Estimated inputs with observation error that is incorporated in the analysis have dashed borders. Solid arrows are functions that introduce or transfer without error whereas dashed arrows transfer errors through the components.

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Catch Advice Catch option > 0 0 (Yes = 1, No = 0)

Overall Recommendation No Significant Change Identified by Indicators

Probability of 2017 Ratio Value Indicator Correct Indicator Management Geographic Area River/ Indicator Value to Threshold Threshold True Low True High State Assignment Score Objective Met?

USA Penobscot 2SW Returns 530 22% 2 368 100% 100% -1 1 -1 possible range -1,00 1,00 Average 22% -1,00 No

Scotia-Fundy Saint John Return Large 83 2% 3 329 97% 100% -1 0,97 -0,97 Lahave Return Large 51 18% 285 81% 85% -1 0,81 -0,81 North Return Large 192 31% 626 96% 74% -1 0,96 -0,96 Saint John Survival 2SW (%) 0,04 18% 0,222 96% 81% -1 0,96 -0,96 Saint John Survival 1SW (%) 0,1 13% 0,763 89% 73% -1 0,89 -0,89 Saint John Return 1SW 195 9% 2 276 89% 80% -1 0,89 -0,89 LaHave Return 1SW 45 3% 1 679 96% 67% -1 0,96 -0,96 possible range -0,92 0,80 Average 13% -0,92 No

Gulf Miramichi Return 2SW 10149 69% 14 669 100% 82% -1 1,00 -1,00 Miramichi Return 1SW 1330 3% 41 588 92% 68% -1 0,92 -0,92 Margaree Return Large 1550 49% 3 149 88% 56% -1 0,88 -0,88 possible range -0,93 0,69 Average 41% -0,93 No

Quebec Bonaventure Return Large 1067 72% 1 479 82% 76% -1 0,82 -0,82 Grande Rivière Return Large 467 106% 442 100% 89% 1 0,89 0,89 Saint-Jean Return Large 554 73% 758 88% 78% -1 0,88 -0,88 Dartmouth Return Large 927 123% 756 84% 87% 1 0,87 0,87 Madeleine Return Large 672 100% 672 88% 79% 1 0,79 0,79 York Return Large 1267 90% 1405 73% 83% -1 0,73 -0,73 De la Trinité Return Large 264 69% 385 82% 100% -1 0,82 -0,82 De la Trinité Return Small 212 37% 578 83% 85% -1 0,83 -0,83 Saint-Jean 2SW Survival 1,18 164% 0,72 100% 50% 1 0,5 0,5 De la Trinité 2SW Survival 0,40 82% 0,49 92% 68% -1 0,92 -0,92 possible range -0,87 0,80 Average 91% -0,20 No

Newfoundland possible range Average NA Unknown

Labrador possible range Average NA Unknown

Scotland North Esk HW Return MSW 6196 74% 8369 72% 100% -1 0,72 -0,72 possible range -0,72 1,00 Average 74% -0,72 No

Figure 5.9.1.1. Framework of indicators spreadsheet for the West Greenland fishery. For illustrative purposes, the 2017 value of returns or survival rates for the 22 retained indicators is entered in the cells corresponding to the annual indicator variable values.

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Best classification ≥ 80%

Figure 5.9.1.2. Comparative performance of the retained indicators (N = 22) at identifying a true low (i.e. management objective will not be met) and a true high (i.e. management objective will be met) for the West Greenland multiyear catch advice framework.

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Annex 1: List of Working Papers submitted to WGNAS 2018

WP No. Authors Title 1 Nygaard, R. The Salmon Fishery in Greenland 2017 2 Sheehan, T.F., Barber, J., Dean, A., The International Sampling Program: Continent Deschamps, D., Gargan, P., of Origin and Biological Characteristics of Goulette, P., Maxwell, H., Tavner, Atlantic Salmon Collected at West Greenland in I., Nygaard, R., Bradbury, I.R., 2017 Robertson, M.J., and Ó Maoiléidigh, N. 3 Gudbergsson, G., Bardarson, H., National Report for Iceland: The 2017 Salmon Jonsson, I.R., and Sturlaugsson, J. Season 4 Prusov, S., and Ustyuzhinsky, G. Atlantic Salmon Fisheries and Status of Stocks in Russia. National Report for 2017 5 Erkinaro, J., Orell, P., Kylmäaho, Status of Atlantic salmon stocks in the rivers M., Falkegård, M., Kuusela, J., Teno/Tana and Näätämöjoki/Neidenelva Johansen, N., Haantie, J. and Länsman, M. 6 Fiske, P., Wennevik, V., Jensen, Atlantic salmon; National Report for Norway A.J., Utne, K.R., and Bolstad, G. 2017 7 Degerman, W., Tamario, C., Fisheries, Status and Management of Atlantic Persson, J., and Sers, B. Salmon stocks in Sweden: National Report for 2017 8 Rasmussen, G. National report for Denmark 9 Jacobsen, J.A. Status of the fisheries for Atlantic salmon and production of farmed salmon in 2017 for the Faroe Islands 10 Millane, M., Ó Maoiléidigh, N., National Report for Ireland - The 2017 Salmon Gargan, P., White, J., O’Higgins, Season K., Dillane, M., McGrory, T., Bond, N., McLaughlin, D., Rogan, G., Cotter, D., Maxwell, H., and Poole, R. 11 Smith, G.W., Hanson, N., National Report for UK (Scotland): 2017 season Anderson, J., Downie, H., Glover, R., Henry, J., Malcolm, I., Middlemas, S., Simpson, I., Ounsley, J. and Armstrong, J. 12 Cefas, Environment Agency and Salmon stocks and fisheries in UK (England and Natural Resources Wales Wales), 2017 - Preliminary assessment prepared for ICES, April 2018. 13 Ensing, D., Kennedy, R., and Summary of Salmon Fisheries and Status of Boylan, P. Stocks in Northern Ireland for 2016 14 de la Hoz, J. Salmon Fisheries and Status of Stocks in Spain (Asturias-2017). Report for 2018 Meeting WGNAS 15 April, J., and Cauchon, V. Canada - Status of Atlantic salmon Stocks in Québec in 2017 16 April, J., and Cauchon, V. Canada- Smolt production, freshwater and sea survival on two index rivers in Québec, the Saint-Jean and the Trinité (2017) 17 Matanowski, J. Rapport annuel relatif à la pêche du saumon Atlantique à Saint Pierre et Miquelon Saison 2017 (FRENCH)

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WP No. Authors Title 18 Kelly, N.I., Robertson, M.J., Burke, Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, C., G.I. Veinott, G.I., Bradbury, I., Atlantic Salmon 2017 Dempson, J.B., Poole, R. and Grant, C. 19 Chaput, G., Biron, M., Cairns, D., Canada - Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar) in DFO Douglas, S.,and LeBlanc, S. Gulf Region Salmon Fishing Areas 15 – 18 to 2017 and inputs to ICES Working Group for 2017 20 Levy, A.L., R.A. Jones, D. Raab and Canada - Status of Atlantic Salmon in Canada’s A.J.F. Gibson Maritimes Region (Salmon Fishing Areas 19 to 21, and 23) 21 Chaput, G., April, J., Cairns, D., Catch Statistics and Aquaculture Production Biron, M., Douglas, S., Jones, R., Values for Canada: preliminary 2017, final 2016 Kelly, N., Levy, A., Poole, R., Robertson, M., and Veinott, G. 22 Atkinson, E., Sweka, J., Kocik, J., National Report for the United States, 2017 Bailey, M., and Sheehan, T. 23 Bradbury, I. Genetic analyses of mixed-stock fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic 24 Riley, W.D., Ibbotson, A.T., The impact of capture, handling, anaesthesia Gregory, S.D., Russell, I.C., and tagging with coded wire tags on subsequent Lauridsen, R.B., Beaumont, adult return rates of wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo W.R.C., Cook, A.C. and Maxwell, salar) smolts D.L. 25 Ensing, D. WGERRAAS Report (presentation) 26 Crozier, W. Atlantic Salmon Trust: Likely Suspects Framework (presentation) 27 Ensing, D. WGRECORDS Update (presentation) 28 Ó Maoiléidigh, N. IYS – International Year of the Salmon Update (presentation) 29 Rivot, E. National Report France 2017 (presentation) 30 Ensing, D. EU DC-MAP RCG Diad Subgroup discussion (presentation) 31 Sheehan, T. F. Draft Report to the Atlantic Salmon Research Joint Venture: Current status of knowledge, data, and research efforts on Atlantic salmon at Greenland: what do we have, what do we need, and what should we do moving forward? (presentation) 32 Atlantic Salmon Federation Research Update (presentation) 33 Queroue, M., Olmos, M., and Life Cycle Model - update 2018 (presentation) Rivot, E. 34 Ó Maoiléidigh, N. Unlocking the Archive (presentation) 35 Chaput, G. NAC PFA output (presentation)

36 Ounsley, J., and Maxwell, H. NEAC PFA output (presentation)

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Nilsen, R., Serra-Llinares, R., Sandvik, A.D., Elvik, K.M.S., Asplin, L., Bjørn, P.A., Johnsen, I.A., Karlsen, Ø., Finstad, B., Berg, M., Uglem, I., Vollset, K.W., and Lehmann, G.B. 2017. Lak- selusinfestasjon på vill laksefisk langs norskekysten i 2016 med vekt på modellbasert varsling og tilstandsbekreftelse. Rapport fra Havforskningen, 1–2017: 1–55.

Nilsen, R., Schrøder Elvik, K.M., Serra-Llinares, R., Sandvik, A.D., Asplin, L., Askeland Johnsen, I., Bjørn, P.A., Karlsen, Ø., Finstad, B., Berg, M., Uglem, I., Vollset, K.W., and Lehmann, G.B. 2018. Lakselusinfestasjon på vill laksefisk langs norskekysten. Rapport fra Havforskningen, 4–2018: 1–66.

Pella, J., and Masuda, M. 2001. Bayesian methods for analysis of stock mixtures from genetic characters. Fishery Bulletin, 99: 151–160.

Potter, E.C.E., Crozier, W.W., Schön, P.-J., Nicholson, M.D., Maxwell, D.L., Prévost, E., Erkinaro, J., Gudbergsson; G., Karlsson; L., Hansen; L.P., MacLean, J.C., Ó Maoiléidigh, N., and Prusov, S. 2004. Estimating and forecasting pre-fishery abundance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in the Northeast Atlantic for the management of mixed-stock fisheries. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 61: 1359–1369.

Rago, P.J., Reddin, D.G., Porter, T.R., Meerburg, D.J., Friedland, K.D., and Potter, E.C.E. 1993. A continental run reconstruction model for the non-maturing component of North American

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Atlantic salmon: analysis of fisheries in Greenland and Newfoundland Labrador, 1974– 1991. ICES CM 1993/M: 25.

Riley W.D., Moore A., Russell I. C., Davidson I.C., Cove R.J., and Ives M.J. 2007. The impact of trapping and tagging on the timing of continued seaward migration of wild salmon, Salmo salar, smolts. Fisheries Management and Ecology 14, 287–290.

Riley W.D., Ibbotson, A.T., Gregory, S.D., Russell, I.C., Lauridsen, R.B., Beaumont, W.R.C., Cook, A.C. and Maxwell, D.L. Under what circumstances does the capture and tagging of wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts impact return probability as adults? Journal of Fish Biol- ogy. In press.

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Sandvik, A.D., Bjørn, P.A., Ådlandsvik, B., Asplin, L., Skarðhamar, J., Johnsen, I.A., Myksvoll, M., and Skogen, M.D. 2016. Toward a model-based prediction system for salmon lice infestation pressure. Aquaculture Environment Interactions, 8: 527–542.

Servanty, S., and Prévost, E. 2016. Mise à jour et standardisation des séries chronologiques d'abondance du saumon atlantique sur les cours d'eau de l'ORE DiaPFC et la Bresle. Rapport final, février 2016. Fiche action ONEMA – INRA 2013-2015 (action n° 35).

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Smith, G.W., Middlemas, S.J., and MacLean, J.C. 2014. Assessing the status of Scottish Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) stocks using reported catch data: a modelling approach to account for catch and release in the rod and line fishery. Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science 5 (11).

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Sylvester, E.V.A., Bentzen, P., Bradbury, I.R., Clément, M., Pearce, J., Horne, J., and Beiko, R.G. 2017. Applications of random forest feature selection for fine-scale genetic population assignment. Evolutionary Applications, n/a-n/a.

Webb, J.H. 1998. Catch and release: the survival and behaviour of Atlantic salmon angled and returned to the Aberdeenshire Dee, in spring and early summer. Scottish Fisheries Research Report, 62: 1–16.

Went, A. 1974. Some interesting fishes taken from Irish waters in 1973. The Irish Naturalists' Journal, 18: 57–65.

Zubchenko A.V., Veselov A.E., and Kaljuzhin C.M. 2004. Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha): challenges of the acclimatization on the Russia’s northwest. Petrozavodsk-Murmansk. 82 pp.

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Annex 3: Participants list

Name Address Phone/Fax E-MAIL Ida Ahlbeck- Swedish University [email protected] Bergendahl of Agricultural Sciences Department of Aquatic Resources- SLU Aqua Stångholmsvägen 2 178 93 Drottningholm, Sweden Julien April Service de la Faune +1 418 627- [email protected] Aquatique 8694, poste 880 chemin Sainte- 7386 Foy (2nd floor) Québec Québec G1S 4X4 Canada Hlynur Marine and [email protected] Bardarson Freshwater Research Institute Skúlagata 4 PO Box 1390 121 Reykjavík Iceland Geir H. Bolstad Norwegian Institute +47 920 37 [email protected] for Nature Research 665 PO Box 5685 Sluppen 7485 Trondheim Norway Ian Bradbury Fisheries and +1 709 772 [email protected] Oceans Canada 3869 Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre PO Box 5667 80 East White Hills Road St John's NL A1C 5X1 Canada Gérald Chaput Fisheries and Phone +1 [email protected] Oceans Canada- 506 851 DFO, PO Box 5030 2022 Moncton NB E1C 9B6 Canada

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Name Address Phone/Fax E-MAIL Walter Crozier Atlantic Salmon Phone +44 [email protected] Trust 7484 210237 11 Rutland Square Edinburgh EH1 2AS Scotland UK Dennis Ensing Agri-food and +44 28 90 [email protected] Biosciences Institute 255 054 (AFBI) fax +44 28 Fisheries & Aquatic 255 004 Ecosystems Branch 18A Newforge Lane Belfast NI BT9 5PX UK Jaakko Erkinaro Finnish Game and Phone +358 [email protected] Natural Resources 405435929 Institute Finland PO 413 90014 Oulu Finland Peder Fiske Norwegian Institute +47 [email protected] for Nature Research 93466733 PO Box 5685 Sluppen 7485 Trondheim Norway Jonathan Gillson Cefas +44 1502 [email protected] Pakefield Road 524345 Lowestoft Fax +44 Suffolk NR33 0HT 1502 513865 UK Gudni Marine and Phone +354 [email protected] Gudbergsson Freshwater 5806300 Research Institute Skulagata 4 101 Reykjavik Iceland Nora Hanson Marine Scotland [email protected] Science ([email protected]) Freshwater Laboratory Field Station Inchbraoch House South Quay Ferryden, Montrose Angus DD10 9DL Scotland, UK

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 331

Name Address Phone/Fax E-MAIL Nick Kelly Fisheries and +1 709 772- [email protected] Oceans Canada 4553 Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre PO Box 5667 80 East White Hills Road St John's NL A1C 5X1 Canada Alex Levy Bedford Institute of +1 902-478- [email protected] Oceanography 7837 PO Box 1006 Fax +1 902- 1 Challenger Drive 426-1506 Dartmouth NS B2Y 4A2 Canada Hugo Maxwell Marine Institute [email protected] Rinvelle Oranmore H91 R673 Co Galway Ireland David Meerburg Atlantic Salmon [email protected] Federation PO Box 5200 St. Andrew’s NB E5B 3S8 Canada Michael Millane Inland Fisheries +353 1 [email protected] Ireland 8842619 3044 Lake Drive Citywest Business Campus Dublin 24 Ireland Rasmus Greenland Institute Phone +299 [email protected] Nygaard for Natural (by Resources correspondence) PO Box 570 3900 Nuuk Greenland Niall Ó Marine Institute +353 [email protected] Maoiléidigh Fisheries Ecosystem 9842300 Advisory Services Rinvelle Oranmore H91 R673 Co Galway Ireland

332 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

Name Address Phone/Fax E-MAIL James Ounsley Marine Science [email protected] Scotland ([email protected]) Marine Laboratory PO Box 101 375 Victoria Road Aberdeen AB11 9DB Scotland, UK Etienne Rivot Agrocampus Ouest +33 2 23 48 [email protected] UMR 985 ESE 59 34 Ecologie et Santé des Ecosysteme 65 rue de St Brieuc 35045 Rennes France Martha Fisheries and +1 709 772 [email protected] Robertson Oceans Canada 4475 (Chair) Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Center PO Box 5667 80 East White Hills Road St John's NL A1C 5X1 Canada Ian Russell Centre for Phone +44 [email protected] Environment 1502 524330 Fisheries and Cell +44 Aquaculture Science 7717 022949 (Cefas) Fax +44 Lowestoft 1502 513865 Laboratory Pakefield Road NR33 0HT Lowestoft Suffolk UK Tim Sheehan NOAA Fisheries Phone +1 [email protected] Service 508495-2215 Northeast Fisheries Fax +1 Science Center 508495-2393 166 Water Street Woods Hole MA 02543 USA

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 333

Name Address Phone/Fax E-MAIL Gordon Smith Marine Scotland + 44 131 244 [email protected] Science 4472 Freshwater Laboratory Field Station Inchbraoch House South Quay Ferryden, Montrose Angus DD10 9DL Scotland, UK Kjell Rong Utne Institute of Marine +47 9365 [email protected] Research 2875 PO Box 1870 Nordnes 5817 Bergen Norway

Vidar Wennevik Institute of Marine Cell +47 90 [email protected] Research 66 23 94 PO Box 1870 Nordnes 5817 Bergen Norway

334 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Greenland 1982 315 532 - 17 810 ------2 688 - 336 030 1 077 1983 90 500 - 8 100 ------1 400 - 100 000 310 1984 78 942 - 10 442 ------630 - 90 014 297 1985 292 181 - 18 378 ------934 - 311 493 864 1986 307 800 - 9 700 ------2 600 - 320 100 960 1987 297 128 - 6 287 ------2 898 - 306 313 966 1988 281 356 - 4 602 ------2 296 - 288 254 893 1989 110 359 - 5 379 ------1 875 - 117 613 337 1990 97 271 - 3 346 ------860 - 101 477 274 1991 167 551 415 8 809 53 ------743 4 177 103 472 1992 82 354 217 2 822 18 ------364 2 85 540 237 1993 ------1994 ------1995 31 241 - 558 ------478 - 32 277 83 1996 30 613 - 884 ------568 - 32 065 92 1997 20 980 - 134 ------124 - 21 238 58 1998 3 901 - 17 ------88 - 4 006 11 1999 6 124 18 50 0 ------84 1 6 258 19 2000 7 715 21 0 0 ------140 0 7 855 21

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 335

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Greenland 2001 14 795 40 324 2 ------293 1 15 412 43 2002 3 344 10 34 0 ------27 0 3 405 10 2003 3 933 12 38 0 ------73 0 4 044 12 2004 4 488 14 51 0 ------88 0 4 627 15 2005 3 120 13 40 0 ------180 1 3 340 14 2006 5 746 20 183 1 ------224 1 6 153 22 2007 6 037 24 82 0 6 0 ------144 1 6 263 25 2008 9 311 26 47 0 0 0 ------177 1 9 535 26 2009 7 442 27 268 1 0 0 ------328 1 8 038 29 2010 ------11 579 40 2011 ------8 088 28 2012 ------9 622 33 2013 ------14 030 47 2014 ------17 440 58 2015 ------16 855 57 2016 ------8 522 27 2017 ------8 023 28 Canada 1982 358 000 716 ------240 000 1 082 - - 598 000 1 798 1983 265 000 513 ------201 000 911 - - 466 000 1 424 1984 234 000 467 ------143 000 645 - - 377 000 1 112 1985 333 084 593 ------122 621 540 - - 455 705 1 133 1986 417 269 780 ------162 305 779 - - 579 574 1 559 1987 435 799 833 ------203 731 951 - - 639 530 1 784

336 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Canada 1988 372 178 677 ------137 637 633 - - 509 815 1 310 1989 304 620 549 ------135 484 590 - - 440 104 1 139 1990 233 690 425 ------106 379 486 - - 340 069 911 1991 189 324 341 ------82 532 370 - - 271 856 711 1992 108 901 199 ------66 357 323 - - 175 258 522 1993 91 239 159 ------45 416 214 - - 136 655 373 1994 76 973 139 ------42 946 216 - - 119 919 355 1995 61 940 107 ------34 263 153 - - 96 203 260 1996 82 490 138 ------31 590 154 - - 114 080 292 1997 58 988 103 ------26 270 126 - - 85 258 229 1998 51 251 87 ------13 274 70 - - 64 525 157 1999 50 901 88 ------11 368 64 - - 62 269 152 2000 55 263 95 ------10 571 58 - - 65 834 153 2001 51 225 86 ------11 575 61 - - 62 800 147 2002 53 464 99 ------8 439 49 - - 61 903 148 2003 46 768 81 ------11 218 60 - - 57 986 141 2004 54 253 94 ------12 933 68 - - 67 186 162 2005 47 368 83 ------10 937 56 - - 58 305 139 2006 46 747 82 ------11 248 55 - - 57 995 137 2007 37 075 63 ------10 311 49 - - 47 386 112 2008 58 386 100 ------11 736 57 - - 70 122 158 2009 42 943 74 ------11 226 52 - - 54 169 126 2010 58 531 100 ------10 972 53 - - 69 503 153

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 337

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Canada 2011 63 756 110 ------13 668 69 - - 77 424 179 2012 43 192 74 ------10 980 52 - - 54 172 126 2013 41 311 72 ------13 887 66 - - 55 198 138 2014 44 171 77 ------8 756 41 - - 45 328 106 2015 48 838 86 ------11 473 54 - - 60 311 140 2016 45 265 79 ------11 716 56 - - 56 981 135 2017 32 439 57 ------11 578 55 - - 44 017 112 USA 1982 33 - 1 206 - 5 ------21 - 1 265 6 1983 26 - 314 1 2 ------6 - 348 1 1984 50 - 545 2 2 ------12 - 609 2 1985 23 - 528 2 2 ------13 - 566 2 1986 76 - 482 2 2 ------3 - 563 2 1987 33 - 229 1 10 ------10 - 282 1 1988 49 - 203 1 3 ------4 - 259 1 1989 157 0 325 1 2 ------3 - 487 2 1990 52 0 562 2 12 ------16 - 642 2 1991 48 0 185 1 1 ------4 - 238 1 1992 54 0 138 1 1 ------193 1 1993 17 - 133 1 0 0 ------2 - 152 1 1994 12 - 0 0 0 0 ------12 0 1995 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 1996 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 1997 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0

338 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT USA 1998 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 1999 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2000 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2001 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2002 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2004 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2005 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2006 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2007 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2009 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2010 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2011 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2012 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2013 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2014 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2015 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 2017 0 0 0 0 0 0 ------0 0 Faroe Islands 1982/83 9 086 - 101 227 - 21 663 - 448 - 29 - - - - - 132 453 625 1983/84 4 791 - 107 199 - 12 469 - 49 ------124 508 651 1984/85 324 - 123 510 - 9 690 ------1 653 - 135 177 598

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 339

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Faroe Islands 1985/86 1 672 - 141 740 - 4 779 - 76 - - - - - 6 287 - 154 554 545 1986/87 76 - 133 078 - 7 070 - 80 ------140 304 539 1987/88 5 833 - 55 728 - 3 450 - 0 ------65 011 208 1988/89 1 351 - 86 417 - 5 728 - 0 ------93 496 309 1989/90 1 560 - 103 407 - 6 463 - 6 ------111 436 364 1990/91 631 - 52 420 - 4 390 - 8 ------57 449 202 1991/92 16 - 7 611 - 837 ------8 464 31 1992/93 - - 4 212 - 1 203 ------5 415 22 1993/94 - - 1 866 - 206 ------2 072 7 1994/95 - - 1 807 - 156 ------1 963 6 1995/96 - - 268 - 14 ------282 1 1996/97 ------0 0 1997/98 339 - 1 315 - 109 ------1 763 6 1998/99 ------0 0 1999/00 225 - 1 560 - 205 ------1 990 8 2000/01 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2001/02 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2002/03 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2003/04 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2004/05 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2005/06 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2006/07 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2007/08 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0

340 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Faroe Islands 2008/09 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2009/10 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2010/11 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2011/12 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2012/13 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2013/14 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2014/15 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2015/16 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2016/17 0 - 0 - 0 ------0 0 2017/18 1 - 1 - 1 ------0 0 Finland 1982 2 598 5 ------5 408 49 - - 8 006 54 1983 3 916 7 ------6 050 51 - - 9 966 58 1984 4 899 9 ------4 726 37 - - 9 625 46 1985 6 201 11 ------4 912 38 - - 11 113 49 1986 6 131 12 ------3 244 25 - - 9 375 37 1987 8 696 15 ------4 520 34 - - 13 216 49 1988 5 926 9 ------3 495 27 - - 9 421 36 1989 10 395 19 ------5 332 33 - - 15 727 52 1990 10 084 19 ------5 600 41 - - 15 684 60 1991 9 213 17 ------6 298 53 - - 15 511 70 1992 15 017 28 ------6 284 49 - - 21 301 77 1993 11 157 17 ------8 180 53 - - 19 337 70 1994 7 493 11 ------6 230 38 - - 13 723 49

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 341

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Finland 1995 7 786 11 ------5 344 38 - - 13 130 49 1996 12 230 20 1 275 5 1 424 12 234 4 19 1 - - 354 3 15 536 44 1997 10 341 15 2 419 10 1 674 15 141 2 22 1 - - 418 3 15 015 45 1998 11 792 19 1 608 7 1 660 16 147 3 - - - - 460 3 15 667 48 1999 17 929 31 2 055 8 1 643 17 120 2 6 0 - - 592 3 22 345 63 2000 20 199 37 5 247 25 2 502 25 101 2 0 0 - - 1 090 7 29 139 96 2001 14 979 25 6 091 28 5 451 59 101 2 0 0 - - 2 137 12 28 759 126 2002 8 095 15 5 550 20 3 845 41 135 2 10 0 - - 2 466 15 20 101 94 2003 8 375 15 2 332 8 3 551 33 145 2 5 0 - - 2 424 15 16 832 75 2004 4 177 7 1 480 6 1 077 10 246 4 6 0 - - 1 430 11 8 416 39 2005 10 412 19 1 287 5 1 420 14 56 1 40 1 - - 804 7 14 019 47 2006 17 359 30 4 217 18 1 350 13 62 1 0 0 - - 764 5 23 752 67 2007 4 861 7 5 368 20 2 287 22 17 0 6 0 - - 1 195 8 13 734 59 2008 5 194 8 2 518 8 4 161 40 227 4 0 0 - - 1 928 11 14 028 71 2009 9 960 13 1 585 5 1 252 11 223 3 0 0 - - 899 5 13 919 38 2010 7 260 13 3 270 13 1 244 11 282 4 5 0 - - 996 8 13 057 49 2011 9 043 15 1 859 8 1 434 13 173 3 10 0 - - 789 5 13 308 44 2012 15 904 30 2 997 13 1 234 11 197 3 5 0 - - 967 7 21 304 64 2013 9 408 14 3 044 15 1 186 11 63 1 7 0 - - 806 5 14 514 46 2014 13 031 26 3 323 13 928 9 96 2 0 0 - - 1 284 7 18 662 58 2015 8 255 13 3 562 16 1 069 9 79 1 0 0 - - 903 6 13 868 45 2016 6 763 14 3 028 10 1 997 20 91 1 0 0 - - 959 5 12 838 51 2017 25 333 5 1 642 7 1 349 14 116 2 3 0 530 3 28 973 31

342 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Iceland 1991 29 601 - 11 892 ------41 493 130 1992 38 538 - 15 312 ------53 850 175 1993 36 640 - 11 541 ------48 181 160 1994 24 224 59 14 088 76 ------38 312 135 1995 32 767 90 13 136 56 ------45 903 145 1996 26 927 66 9 785 52 ------36 712 118 1997 21 684 56 8 178 41 ------29 862 97 1998 32 224 81 7 272 37 ------39 496 119 1999 22 620 59 9 883 52 ------32 503 111 2000 20 270 49 4 319 24 ------24 589 73 2001 18 538 46 5 289 28 ------23 827 74 2002 25 277 64 5 194 26 ------30 471 90 2003 24 738 61 8 119 37 ------32 857 99 2004 32 600 84 6 128 28 ------38 728 111 2005 39 980 101 5 941 28 ------45 921 129 2006 29 857 71 5 635 23 ------35 492 93 2007 31 899 74 3 262 15 ------35 161 89 2008 44 391 106 5 129 26 ------49 520 132 2009 43 981 103 4 561 24 ------48 542 126 2010 43 457 105 9 251 43 ------52 708 147 2011 28 550 74 4 854 24 ------33 404 98 2012 17 011 15 2 848 14 ------19 859 29 2013 40 412 97 4 274 19 ------44 686 116

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 343

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Iceland 2014 13 593 29 3 317 17 ------16 910 47 2015 33 713 78 3 201 16 ------36 914 94 2016 14 410 32 3 445 18 ------17 855 51 2017 20 226 45 6 141 27 ------26 367 73 Sweden 1990 7 430 18 ------3 135 15 - - 10 565 33 1991 8 990 20 ------3 620 18 - - 12 610 38 1992 9 850 23 ------4 655 26 - - 14 505 49 1993 10 540 23 ------6 370 33 - - 16 910 56 1994 8 035 18 ------4 660 26 - - 12 695 44 1995 9 761 22 ------2 770 14 - - 12 531 36 1996 6 008 14 ------3 542 19 - - 9 550 33 1997 2 747 7 ------2 307 12 - - 5 054 19 1998 2 421 6 - - ` - - - - - 1 702 9 - - 4 123 15 1999 3 573 8 ------1 460 8 - - 5 033 16 2000 7 103 18 ------3 196 15 - - 10 299 33 2001 4 634 12 ------3 853 21 - - 8 487 33 2002 4 733 12 ------2 826 16 - - 7 559 28 2003 2 891 7 ------3 214 18 - - 6 105 25 2004 2 494 6 ------2 330 13 - - 4 824 19 2005 2 122 5 ------1 770 10 - - 3 892 15 2006 2 585 4 ------1 772 10 - - 4 357 14 2007 1 228 3 ------2 442 13 - - 3 670 16 2008 1 197 3 ------2 752 16 - - 3 949 18

344 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Sweden 2009 1 269 3 ------2 495 14 - - 3 764 17 2010 2 109 5 ------3 066 17 - - 5 175 22 2011 2 726 7 ------5 759 32 - - 8 485 39 2012 1 900 5 ------4 826 25 - - 6 726 30 2013 1 052 3 ------1 996 12 - - 3 048 15 2014 2 887 8 ------3 657 22 - - 6 544 30 2015 1 028 2 ------2 569 15 - - 3 597 18 2016 742 2 ------1 389 7 - - 2 131 9 2017 1 004 3 ------2 520 15 - - 3 524 18 Norway 1981 221 566 467 ------213 943 1 189 - - 435 509 1 656 1982 163 120 363 ------174 229 985 - - 337 349 1 348 1983 278 061 593 ------171 361 957 - - 449 422 1 550 1984 294 365 628 ------176 716 995 - - 471 081 1 623 1985 299 037 638 ------162 403 923 - - 461 440 1 561 1986 264 849 556 ------191 524 1 042 - - 456 373 1 598 1987 235 703 491 ------153 554 894 - - 389 257 1 385 1988 217 617 420 ------120 367 656 - - 337 984 1 076 1989 220 170 436 ------80 880 469 - - 301 050 905 1990 192 500 385 ------91 437 545 - - 283 937 930 1991 171 041 342 ------92 214 535 - - 263 255 877 1992 151 291 301 ------92 717 566 - - 244 008 867 1993 153 407 312 62 403 284 35 147 327 ------250 957 923 1994 - 415 - 319 - 262 ------996

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 345

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Norway 1995 134 341 249 71 552 341 27 104 249 ------232 997 839 1996 110 085 215 69 389 322 27 627 249 ------207 101 786 1997 124 387 241 52 842 238 16 448 151 ------193 677 630 1998 162 185 296 66 767 306 15 568 139 ------244 520 741 1999 164 905 318 70 825 326 18 669 167 ------254 399 811 2000 250 468 504 99 934 454 24 319 219 ------374 721 1 177 2001 207 934 417 117 759 554 33 047 295 ------358 740 1 266 2002 127 039 249 98 055 471 33 013 299 ------258 107 1 019 2003 185 574 363 87 993 410 31 099 298 ------304 666 1 071 2004 108 645 207 77 343 371 23 173 206 ------209 161 784 2005 165 900 307 69 488 320 27 507 261 ------262 895 888 2006 142 218 261 99 401 453 23 529 218 ------265 148 932 2007 78 165 140 79 146 363 28 896 264 ------186 207 767 2008 89 228 170 69 027 314 34 124 322 ------192 379 807 2009 73 045 135 53 725 241 23 663 219 ------150 433 595 2010 98 490 184 56 260 250 22 310 208 ------177 060 642 2011 71 597 140 81 351 374 20 270 183 ------173 218 696 2012 81 638 162 63 985 289 26 689 245 ------172 312 696 2013 70 059 117 49 264 227 14 367 131 ------133 690 475 2014 85 419 171 47 347 203 12 415 116 ------145 181 490 2015 83 196 153 64 069 296 15 407 134 ------162 672 583 2016 65 470 117 69 167 321 19 406 174 ------154 043 612 2017 83 032 164 67 761 307 20 913 196 ------171 706 667

346 | ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Russia 1987 97 242 - 27 135 - 9 539 - 556 - 18 - - - 2 521 - 137 011 564 1988 53 158 - 33 395 - 10 256 - 294 - 25 - - - 2 937 - 100 065 420 1989 78 023 - 23 123 - 4 118 - 26 - 0 - - - 2 187 - 107 477 364 1990 70 595 - 20 633 - 2 919 - 101 - 0 - - - 2 010 - 96 258 313 1991 40 603 - 12 458 - 3 060 - 650 - 0 - - - 1 375 - 58 146 215 1992 34 021 - 8 880 - 3 547 - 180 - 0 - - - 824 - 47 452 167 1993 28 100 - 11 780 - 4 280 - 377 - 0 - - - 1 470 - 46 007 139 1994 30 877 - 10 879 - 2 183 - 51 - 0 - - - 555 - 44 545 141 1995 27 775 62 9 642 50 1 803 15 6 0 0 0 - - 385 2 39 611 129 1996 33 878 79 7 395 42 1 084 9 40 1 0 0 - - 41 1 42 438 131 1997 31 857 72 5 837 28 672 6 38 1 0 0 - - 559 3 38 963 110 1998 34 870 92 6 815 33 181 2 28 0 0 0 - - 638 3 42 532 130 1999 24 016 66 5 317 25 499 5 0 0 0 0 - - 1 131 6 30 963 102 2000 27 702 75 7 027 34 500 5 3 0 0 0 - - 1 853 9 37 085 123 2001 26 472 61 7 505 39 1 036 10 30 0 0 0 - - 922 5 35 965 115 2002 24 588 60 8 720 43 1 284 12 3 0 0 0 - - 480 3 35 075 118 2003 22 014 50 8 905 42 1 206 12 20 0 0 0 - - 634 4 32 779 107 2004 17 105 39 6 786 33 880 7 0 0 0 0 - - 529 3 25 300 82 2005 16 591 39 7 179 33 989 8 1 0 0 0 - - 439 3 25 199 82 2006 22 412 54 5 392 28 759 6 0 0 0 0 - - 449 3 29 012 91 2007 12 474 30 4 377 23 929 7 0 0 0 0 - - 277 2 18 057 62 2008 13 404 28 8 674 39 669 4 8 0 0 0 - - 312 2 23 067 73 2009 13 580 30 7 215 35 720 5 36 0 0 0 - - 173 1 21 724 71

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 347

1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Russia 2010 14 834 33 9 821 48 844 6 49 0 0 0 - - 186 1 25 734 88 2011 13 779 31 9 030 44 747 5 51 0 0 0 - - 171 1 23 778 82 2012 17 484 42 6 560 34 738 5 53 0 0 0 - - 173 1 25 008 83 2013 14 576 35 6 938 36 857 6 27 0 0 0 - - 93 1 22 491 78 2014 15 129 35 7 936 38 1 015 7 34 0 0 0 - - 106 1 24 220 81 2015 15 011 38 7 082 36 723 5 19 0 0 0 - - 277 1 23 112 80 2016 11 064 28 4 716 22 621 4 23 0 0 0 - - 289 2 16 713 56 2017 5 592 14 5 930 28 644 4 7 0 0 9 - - 90 0 12 263 56 Ireland 1980 248 333 745 ------39 608 202 - - 287 941 947 1981 173 667 521 ------32 159 164 - - 205 826 685 1982 310 000 930 ------12 353 63 - - 322 353 993 1983 502 000 1 506 ------29 411 150 - - 531 411 1 656 1984 242 666 728 ------19 804 101 - - 262 470 829 1985 498 333 1 495 ------19 608 100 - - 517 941 1 595 1986 498 125 1 594 ------28 335 136 - - 526 460 1 730 1987 358 842 1 112 ------27 609 127 - - 386 451 1 239 1988 559 297 1 733 ------30 599 141 - - 589 896 1 874 1989 ------330 558 1 079 1990 ------188 890 567 1991 ------135 474 404 1992 ------235 435 631 1993 ------200 120 541 1994 ------286 266 804

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1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Ireland 1995 ------288 225 790 1996 ------249 623 685 1997 ------209 214 570 1998 ------237 663 624 1999 ------180 477 515 2000 ------228 220 621 2001 ------270 963 730 2002 ------256 808 682 2003 ------204 145 551 2004 ------180 953 489 2005 ------156 308 422 2006 ------120 834 326 2007 ------30 946 84 2008 ------33 200 89 2009 ------25 170 68 2010 ------36 508 99 2011 ------32 308 87 2012 ------32 599 88 2013 ------32 303 87 2014 ------20 883 56 2015 ------23 416 63 2016 ------21 504 58 2017 ------26 714 72

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1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT UK 1985 62 815 ------32 716 - - - 95 531 361 (England & 1986 68 759 ------42 035 - - - 110 794 430 Wales) 1987 56 739 ------26 700 - - - 83 439 302 1988 76 012 ------34 151 - - - 110 163 395 1989 54 384 ------29 284 - - - 83 668 296 1990 45 072 ------41 604 - - - 86 676 338 1991 36 671 ------14 978 - - - 51 649 200 1992 34 331 ------10 255 - - - 44 586 171 1993 56 033 ------13 144 - - - 69 177 248 1994 67 853 ------20 268 - - - 88 121 324 1995 57 944 ------22 534 - - - 80 478 295 1996 30 352 ------16 344 - - - 46 696 183 1997 30 203 ------11 171 - - - 41 374 142 1998 30 272 ------6 645 - - - 36 917 123 1999 27 953 ------13 154 - - - 41 107 150 2000 48 153 ------12 800 - - - 60 953 219 2001 38 480 ------12 827 - - - 51 307 184 2002 34 708 ------10 961 - - - 45 669 161 2003 14 656 ------7 550 - - - 22 206 89 2004 24 753 ------5 806 - - - 30 559 111 2005 19 883 ------6 279 - - - 26 162 97 2006 17 204 ------4 852 - - - 22 056 80 2007 15 540 ------4 383 - - - 19 923 67

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1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT UK 2008 14 467 ------4 569 - - - 19 036 64 (England & 2009 10 015 ------3 895 - - - 13 910 54 Wales) 2010 25 502 ------7 193 - - - 32 695 109 2011 19 708 ------14 867 - - - 34 575 136 2012 7 493 ------7 433 - - - 14 926 58 2013 13 113 ------9 495 - - - 22 608 84 2014 7 678 ------6 541 - - - 14 219 54 2015 9 053 ------10 209 - - - 19 262 68 2016 9 447 ------13 047 - - - 22 494 86 2017 4 866 ------7 298 - - - 12 164 49 UK 1982 208 061 496 ------128 242 596 - - 336 303 1 092 (Scotland) 1983 209 617 549 ------145 961 672 - - 355 578 1 221 1984 213 079 509 ------107 213 504 - - 320 292 1 013 1985 158 012 399 ------114 648 514 - - 272 660 913 1986 202 838 525 ------148 197 744 - - 351 035 1 269 1987 164 785 419 ------103 994 503 - - 268 779 922 1988 149 098 381 ------112 162 501 - - 261 260 882 1989 174 941 431 ------103 886 464 - - 278 827 895 1990 81 094 201 ------87 924 423 - - 169 018 624 1991 73 608 177 ------65 193 285 - - 138 801 462 1992 101 676 238 ------82 841 361 - - 184 517 600 1993 94 517 227 ------71 726 320 - - 166 243 547 1994 99 479 248 ------85 404 400 - - 184 883 648

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1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT UK 1995 89 971 224 ------78 511 364 - - 168 482 588 (Scotland) 1996 66 465 160 ------57 998 267 - - 124 463 427 1997 46 866 114 ------40 459 182 - - 87 325 296 1998 53 503 121 ------39 264 162 - - 92 767 283 1999 25 255 57 ------30 694 143 - - 55 949 199 2000 44 033 114 ------36 767 161 - - 80 800 275 2001 42 586 101 ------34 926 150 - - 77 512 251 2002 31 385 73 ------26 403 118 - - 57 788 191 2003 29 598 71 ------27 588 122 - - 57 091 192 2004 37 631 88 ------36 856 159 - - 74 033 245 2005 39 093 91 ------28 666 126 - - 67 117 215 2006 36 668 75 ------27 620 118 - - 63 848 192 2007 32 335 71 ------24 098 100 - - 56 433 171 2008 23 431 51 ------25 745 110 - - 49 176 161 2009 18 189 37 ------19 185 83 - - 37 374 121 2010 33 426 69 ------26 988 111 - - 60 414 180 2011 15 706 33 ------28 496 126 - - 44 202 159 2012 19 371 40 ------19 785 84 - - 39 156 124 2013 20 747 45 ------17 223 74 - - 37 970 119 2014 12 581 26 ------13 329 58 - - 25 910 84 2015 13 659 29 ------9 165 39 - - 22 824 68 2016 4 298 8 ------4 151 18 - - 8 449 27 2017 3 633 7 ------4 327 19 - - 7 960 26

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1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT France 1987 6 013 18 ------1 806 9 - - 7 819 27 1988 2 063 7 ------4 964 25 - - 7 027 32 1989 1 124 3 1 971 9 311 2 ------3 406 14 1990 1 886 5 2 186 9 146 1 ------4 218 15 1991 1 362 3 1 935 9 190 1 ------3 487 13 1992 2 490 7 2 450 12 221 2 ------5 161 21 1993 3 581 10 987 4 267 2 ------4 835 16 1994 2 810 7 2 250 10 40 1 ------5 100 18 1995 1 669 4 1 073 5 22 0 ------2 764 10 1996 2 063 5 1 891 9 52 0 ------4 006 13 1997 1 060 3 964 5 37 0 ------2 061 8 1998 2 065 5 824 4 22 0 ------2 911 8 1999 690 2 1 799 9 32 0 ------2 521 11 2000 1 792 4 1 253 6 24 0 ------3 069 11 2001 1 544 4 1 489 7 25 0 ------3 058 11 2002 2 423 6 1 065 5 41 0 ------3 529 11 2003 1 598 5 ------1 540 8 - - 3 138 13 2004 1 927 5 ------2 880 14 - - 4 807 19 2005 1 236 3 ------1 771 8 - - 3 007 11 2006 1 763 3 ------1 785 9 - - 3 548 13 2007 1 378 3 ------1 685 9 - - 3 063 12 2008 1 471 3 ------1 931 9 - - 3 402 12 2009 487 1 ------975 4 - - 1 462 5

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1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT France 2010 1 658 4 ------821 4 - - 2 479 7 2011 1 145 3 ------2 126 9 - - 3 271 11 2012 1 010 2 ------1 669 7 - - 2 679 10 2013 1 457 3 ------1 679 7 - - 3 136 10 2014 1 469 3 ------2 159 9 - - 3 628 12 2015 1 239 3 ------2 435 9 - - 3 674 12 2016 1 017 2 ------972 4 - - 1 989 6 2017 1 524 4 ------986 5 - - 2 510 9 Spain (2) 1993 1 589 - 827 - 75 ------2 491 8 1994 1 658 5 ------735 4 - - 2 393 9 1995 389 1 ------1 118 6 - - 1 507 7 1996 349 1 ------676 3 - - 1 025 4 1997 169 0 ------425 2 - - 594 3 1998 481 1 ------403 2 - - 884 3 1999 157 0 ------986 5 - - 1 143 6 2000 1 227 3 ------433 3 - - 1 660 6 2001 1 129 3 ------1 677 9 - - 2 806 12 2002 651 2 ------1 085 6 - - 1 736 8 2003 210 1 ------1 116 6 - - 1 326 6 2004 1 053 3 ------731 4 - - 1 784 6 2005 412 1 ------2 336 11 - - 2 748 12 2006 350 1 ------1 864 9 - - 2 214 10 2007 481 1 ------1 468 7 - - 1 949 8

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1SW 2SW 3SW 4SW 5SW MSW (1) PS Total

COUNTRY YEAR NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT NO. WT Spain (2) 2008 162 0 ------1 371 7 - - 1 533 7 2009 106 0 ------250 1 - - 356 1 2010 81 0 ------166 1 - - 247 1 2011 18 0 ------1 027 5 - - 1 045 5 2012 237 1 ------1 064 6 - - 1 301 6 2013 111 0 ------725 4 - - 836 4 2014 48 0 ------1 160 6 - - 1 208 6 2015 46 0 ------1 048 5 - - 1 094 5

2016 332 1 ------806 4 - - 1 138 5

1. MSW includes all sea ages >1, when this cannot be broken down. Different methods are used to separate 1SW and MSW salmon in different countries: - Scale reading: Faroe Islands, Finland (1996 onwards), France, Russia, USA and West Greenland. - Size (split weight/length): Canada (2.7 kg for nets; 63 cm for rods), Finland up until 1995 (3 kg), Iceland (various splits used at different times and places), Norway (3 kg), UK Scotland (3 kg in some places and 3.7 kg in others), All countries except Scotland report no problems with using weight to categorise catches into sea age classes; misclassification may be very high in some years. In Norway, catches shown as 3SW refer to salmon of 3SW or greater. 2. Based on catches in Asturias (80–90% of total catch).

ICES WGNAS REPORT 2018 | 355

Annex 5: WGNAS responses to the generic ToRs for Regional and Species Working Groups

The Working Group was asked, where relevant, to consider the questions posed by ICES under their generic ToRs for regional and species Working Groups. Only brief responses are provided since the majority of questions are already addressed in response to the ToRs from NASCO (see main report) or in the WGNAS Stock Annex (see below).

GENERIC TOR QUESTIONS WGNAS RESPONSE

Consider and comment on ecosystem A brief ecosystem overview is provided in the WGNAS overviews where available. stock annex (see Annex 6 below) and environmental influences on the stock are incorporated in the annual advice to NASCO. The advice to NASCO is provided for three Commission areas – Northeast Atlantic, North America and West Greenland and may address a wide range of factors affecting salmon at different stages in their life cycle.

Detailed consideration has been given to possible ecosystem drivers in both freshwater and the marine environment, but at present it is not possible to incorporate such drivers in the assessment process. For the fisheries considered by the i) Salmon fisheries have no, or only minor, influence on the Working Group consider and comment marine ecosystem. The exploitation of salmon in freshwater on: may affect the riverine ecosystem through changes in descriptions of ecosystem impacts of species composition. There is limited knowledge of the fisheries where available; magnitude of these effects. descriptions of developments and ii) Any recent changes in fisheries are documented in recent changes to the fisheries; response to the ToR from NASCO (see main report). mixed fisheries overview; and iii) Salmon are not caught in mixed fisheries to any great emerging issues of relevance for the extent. Most salmon are caught in targeted fisheries in management of the fisheries. homewaters, principally net and trap fisheries in estuaries and coastal waters, and rod-and-line fisheries in freshwater. There is very little bycatch of other species in these fisheries or in the inshore drift and gillnet fishery at West Greenland. There was some limited bycatch of other fish species (e.g. lumpsucker) in the Faroese longline fishery when this fishery operated. There is also some bycatch of salmon post- smolts and adults in pelagic fisheries operated in the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic; further details were provided in Section 3.4 of the 2014 WGNAS report (ICES, 2014). Some fisheries targeted at other fish species in freshwater and coastal areas (e.g. aboriginal trout and charr fisheries in Canada) are licensed to land salmon caught as a bycatch. Numbers are typically small. Species interaction effects and ecosystem drivers are summarised in the stock annex (see below). iv) NASCO also routinely requests ICES to document emerging issues of relevance to the management of salmon fisheries. Details are provided in Section 2 of the report (above).

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GENERIC TOR QUESTIONS WGNAS RESPONSE Conduct an assessment to update The questions posed in this section of the generic ToR are advice on the stock(s) using the method addressed routinely in the WGNAS report when responding (analytical, forecast or trends indicators) to the questions posed by NASCO. as described in the stock annex and Details of all inputs used in the latest assessments for produce a brief report of the work Atlantic salmon are provided in response to the ToRs from carried out regarding the stock, NASCO (see main report). summarising where the item is relevant: Estimates of unreported catch levels as used in the latest Input data (including information from assessments for Atlantic salmon are provided in response to the fishing industry and NGO that is the ToRs from NASCO (see main report). The different pertinent to the assessments and components of the catch of Atlantic salmon are reported as projections); fully as possible in the Working Group report in response to Where misreporting of catches is the specific questions posed by NASCO. Details of the data significant, provide qualitative and collection procedures for each country / region are also where possible quantitative information provided in the stock annex. Nominal catches are reported and describe the methods used to annually by country for all fisheries and estimates of obtain the information; unreported catch are also provided for most countries. For relevant stocks estimate the These values are carried forward to the advice. Discards do percentage of the total catch that has not typically apply for salmon fisheries, although when the been taken in the NEAFC regulatory Faroese longline fishery was being prosecuted (the fishery area by year in the recent three years; has not operated since 2000) there was a legal requirement The developments in spawning–stock for salmon <63 cm in total length to be discarded. The catch biomass, total-stock biomass, fishing options risk framework developed by WGNAS for the mortality, catches (wanted and Faroes fishery makes allowance for these discards. unwanted landings and discards) using the method described in the stock Not applicable to Atlantic salmon. annex; The state of the stocks against relevant Not applicable to Atlantic salmon. reference points; The latest assessments of stock status for Atlantic salmon are Catch options for next year; provided in response to the ToRs from NASCO (see main Historical performance of the report). assessment and catch options and brief The latest catch options for Atlantic salmon are provided in description of quality issues with these. response to the ToRs from NASCO (see main report). Quality issues relating to the input data and models are described in the main report and stock annex. Produce a first draft of the advice on the This task will be completed by the WG and WGNAS Chair fish stocks and fisheries under in advance of the RG/ADG meeting in April. considerations according to ACOM guidelines. With reference to the Frequency of Following agreement with NASCO, WGNAS provides Assessment criteria agreed by ACOM multiyear advice, with forecasts for three years into the (see section 5.1 of WGCHAIRS future, accompanied by a Framework of Indicators (FWI) for document 03): (1) Complete the the Greenland fishery and a FWI for Faroese fishery. calculation of the first set of criteria, by The FWIs are designed to trigger re-assessment and calculating Mohn’s rho index for the recalculation of forecasts in the event of a certain proportion final assessment year F; (2) Comment of stock status indicators showing a higher than expected on the list of stocks initially identified as performance against the forecast stock status. At the candidates for less frequent assessment beginning of 2016 the FWI for the Faroese fishery triggered a from the first set of criteria (adding re-assessment, while the Greenland FWI did not. In light of stocks to the list or removing them this WGNAS 2016 provided the appropriate re-assessment would require a sufficient rationale to for the stocks contributing to the Faroese fishery (North be provided). European), and reset the FWI for a further two years. The Greenland FWI and the Faroes FWI were run in January 2017 and both indicated that there was no change in stock status from the previous advice and the previously provided advice was still relevant. The FWIs will be updated for the next multiyear advice cycle planned for Marhc 2018. At which point (and in light of neither FWIs indicating re- assessment in intervening years) the WGNAS have recommended that both NAC and NEAC stocks are re- assessed, to realign the time frames of the respective FWIs.

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GENERIC TOR QUESTIONS WGNAS RESPONSE Consider and propose stocks to be In 2015 and 2016 the status of NAC and NEAC stocks were benchmarked; assessed using comparable tools to those applied in previous years. Work on developing life cycle forecast models is ongoing and their application is seen to be one year away. Upon the completion of these forecast models, a benchmarking exercise may be requested prior to their implementation, although this remains to be determined. Review progress on benchmark Not applicable. processes of relevance to the expert group; Propose specific actions to be taken to There are significant uncertainties in some of the input data improve the quality and transmission of for the assessment models, particularly relating to the data (including improvements in unreported catches (used in the NEAC assessments). data collection) However, efforts are made to take account of these in the stock status and stock forecast models. Data deficiencies are recorded in the ‘Quality Considerations’ section of the annual advice document and specific concerns/ recommendations for improvement are included in WGNAS reports. Recommendations in relation to data collection needs for assessment of Atlantic salmon were recently provided in the report of the ICES Workshop on Eel and Salmon Data Collection Framework WKESDCF (ICES, 2012c); discussions have continued with the EU on the implementation of these recommendations. Prepare the data calls for the next year Not applicable to WGNAS. update assessment and for the planned data compilation workshops. Update, quality check and report Not applicable to WGNAS. The InterCatch database is not relevant data for the stock: used for Atlantic salmon. All data inputs used in Load fisheries data on effort and catches assessments are updated and reported in the WGNAS into the InterCatch database by report. All data are subject to routine checking and QA by fisheries/fleet WGNAS members. Abundance survey results; Not applicable to WGNAS. Environmental drivers. Not applicable to WGNAS. Produce an overview of the sampling Not applicable to WGNAS. The InterCatch database is not activities on a national basis based on used for Atlantic salmon. the InterCatch database or, where relevant, the regional database.

Identify research needs of relevance for This is addressed by WGNAS in response to the ToRs from the Working Group. NASCO (see main report).

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Annex 6: WGNAS Stock Annex for Atlantic Salmon

The table below provides an overview of the WGNAS Stock Annex. Stock Annexes for other stocks are available on the ICES website Library under the Publication Type “Stock Annexes”. Use the search facility to find a particular Stock Annex, refining your search in the left-hand column to include the year, ecoregion, species, and acronym of the relevant ICES expert group.

STOCK ID STOCK NAME LAST UPDATED LINK

sal.27.neac Salmon (Salmo salar) in April 2018 Salmo salar Northeast Atlantic and Arctic Ocean

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Annex 7: Glossary of acronyms used in this report

1SW (One-Sea-Winter). Maiden adult salmon that has spent one winter at sea. 2SW (Two-Sea-Winter). Maiden adult salmon that has spent two winters at sea. ACOM (Advisory Committee) of ICES. The Committee works on the basis of scientific assessment prepared in the ICES expert groups. The advisory process includes peer review of the assessment before it can be used as the basis for advice. The Advisory Committee has one member from each member country under the direction of an independent chair appointed by the Council. ASF (Atlantic Salmon Federation). A non-governmental organisation dedicated to the conservation, protection and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon and the ecosystems on which their well-being and survival depend. ASJRV (Atlantic Salmon Research Joint Venture). A collaborative forum for bringing At- lantic salmon science and conservation communities together, made up of experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), indigenous groups, provincial agencies, non-government organisations, academic institutions and other stakeholders. AST (Atlantic Salmon Trust). A non-governmental organisation dedicated to salmon and sea trout survival through research on the problems impacting migratory salmonids. BHSRA (Bayesian Hierarchical Stock and Recruitment Approach). Models for the analysis of a group of related stock–recruit datasets. Hierarchical modelling is a statistical technique that allows the modelling of the dependence among parameters that are related or connected through the use of a hierarchical model structure. Hierarchical models can be used to combine data from several independent sources. BCIs (Bayesian Credible Intervals). A range of values within which an unobserved parameter falls with a particular probability. CL, i.e. Slim (Conservation Limit). Demarcation of undesirable stock levels or levels of fishing activity; the ultimate objective when managing stocks and regulating fisheries will be to ensure that there is a high probability that undesirable levels are avoided. Cpue (Catch per Unit of Effort). A derived quantity obtained from the independent values of catch and effort. C&R (Catch and Release). Catch and release is a practice within recreational fishing intended as a technique of conservation. After capture, the fish are unhooked and returned to the water before experiencing serious exhaustion or injury. Using barbless hooks, it is often possible to release the fish without removing it from the water (a slack line is frequently sufficient). CWT (Coded Wire Tag). The CWT is a length of magnetized stainless steel wire 0.25 mm in diameter. The tag is marked with rows of numbers denoting specific batch or individual codes. Tags are cut from rolls of wire by an injector that hypodermically im- plants them into suitable tissue. The standard length of a tag is 1.1 mm. DBERAAS (Database on Effectiveness of Recovery Actions for Atlantic Salmon). Database output from WGERAAS. DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans). DFO and its Special Operating Agency, the Canadian Coast Guard, deliver programs and services that support sustainable use and development of Canada’s waterways and aquatic resources.

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DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid). DNA is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms (with the exception of RNA- Ribonucleic Acid viruses). The main role of DNA molecules is the long-term storage of information. DNA is often compared to a set of blueprints, like a recipe or a code, since it contains the instructions needed to construct other components of cells, such as proteins and RNA molecules. DST (Data Storage Tag). A miniature data logger with sensors including salinity, temperature, and depth that is attached to fish and other marine animals. eDNA (environmental DNA). DNA that is collected from environmental samples such as soil, water or air, rather than directly sampled from an individual organism. As various organisms interact with the environment, DNA is released and accumulates in their surroundings. EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). EEZ is a concept adopted at the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, whereby a coastal State assumes jurisdiction over the exploration and exploitation of marine resources in its adjacent section of the continental shelf, taken to be a band extending 200 miles from the shore. ENPI CBC (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument Cross-Border Coopera- tion). ENPI CBC is one of the financing instruments of the European Union. The ENPI programmes are being implemented on the external borders of the EU. It is designed to target sustainable development and approximation to EU policies and standards; supporting the agreed priorities in the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plans, as well as the Strategic Partnership with Russia. FSC (Food, Social and Ceremonial fishery). Indigenous fishery in Canada for food, social or ceremonial purposes. FWI (Framework of Indicators). The FWI is a tool used to indicate if any significant change in the status of stocks used to inform the previously provided multiannual management advice has occurred. GFLK (Greenland Fisheries Licence Control Authority). GLM (Generalised Linear Model). A conventional linear regression model for a continuous response variable given continuous and/or categorical predictors. GoSL (Gulf of St Lawrence). IASRB (International Atlantic Salmon Research Board). Platform established by NASCO in 2001 to encourage and facilitate cooperation and collaboration on research related to marine mortality in Atlantic salmon. ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea). A global organisation that de- velops science and advice to support the sustainable use of the oceans through the coordination of oceanic and coastal monitoring and research, and advising international commissions and governments on marine policy and management issues. IESSNS (International Ecosystem Survey of the Nordic Seas). A collaborative programme involving research vessels from Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Norway. IHN (Infecious Haematopoietic Necrosis). An infectious disease caused by the IHN virus. IMR (Institute of Marine Research). Norwegian institute who provide advice to Norwe- gian authorities on aquaculture and the ecosystems of the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the North Sea and the Norwegian coastal zone. IPN (Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis). An infectious disease caused by the IPN virus.

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ISA (Infectious Salmon Anaemia). An infectious disease caused by the ISA virus. IYS (International Year of the Salmon). An international framework for collaborative outreach and research launched by NPAFC, NASCO and other partners. The IYS focal year will be 2019, with projects and activities starting in 2018 and continuing into 2020. LE (Lagged Eggs). The summation of lagged eggs from 1 and 2 sea-winter fish is used for the first calculation of PFA. LS (Lagged Spawners). The summation of lagged spawners from 1 and 2 sea-winter fish is used for the calculation of PFA. MFFP (Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec). Ministry of Forests, Wild- life and Parks in the Provincial Government of Québec, Canada. MSA (Mixed-stock Analysis). Genetic analytical technique to estimate the proportions origin of fish in a mixed-stock fishery. or MSA (Miramichi Salmon Association). MSAT (Microsatellite). A tract of repetitive DNA in which certain DNA motifs are repeated, typically 5-50 times. Can be used to estimate region of origin of salmon. MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield). The largest average annual catch that may be taken from a stock continuously without affecting the catch of future years; a constant long- term MSY is not a reality in most fisheries, where stock sizes vary with the strength of year classes moving through the fishery. MSW (Multi-Sea-Winter). A MSW salmon is an adult salmon, which has spent two or more winters at sea and may be a repeat spawner. NAC (North American Commission). The North American Atlantic Commission of NASCO or the North American Commission area of NASCO. NAFO (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation). NAFO is an intergovernmental fisheries science and management organization that ensures the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in the Northwest Atlantic. NASCO (North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation). An international organisation, established by an inter-governmental convention in 1984. The objective of NASCO is to conserve, restore, enhance and rationally manage Atlantic salmon through international cooperation taking account of the best available scientific information. NCC (NunatuKavut Community Council). NCC is one of four subsistence fisheries harvesting salmonids in Labrador. NEAC (North Eastern Atlantic Commission). North-East Atlantic Commission of NASCO or the North-East Atlantic Commission area of NASCO. NEAC – N (North Eastern Atlantic Commission- northern area). The northern portion of the North-East Atlantic Commission area of NASCO. NEAC – S (North Eastern Atlantic Commission - southern area). The southern portion of the North-East Atlantic Commission area of NASCO. NG (Nunatsiavut Government). NG is one of four subsistence fisheries harvesting salmonids in Labrador. NG members are fishing in the northern Labrador communities.

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NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). A scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce. NPAFC (North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission). An international inter-governmental organization established by the Convention for the Conservation of Anadromous Stocks in the North Pacific Ocean. The Convention was signed on February 11, 1992, and took effect on February 16, 1993. The member countries are Canada, Japan, Repub- lic of Korea, Russian Federation, and United States of America. As defined in the Con- vention, the primary objective of the NPAFC is to promote the conservation of anadromous stocks in the Convention Area. The Convention Area is the international waters of the North Pacific Ocean and its adjacent seas north of 33°North beyond the 200-mile zones (exclusive economic zones) of the coastal States. PFA (Pre-Fishery Abundance). The numbers of salmon estimated to be alive in the ocean from a particular stock at a specified time. In the previous version of the stock complex Bayesian PFA forecast model two productivity parameters are calculated, for the maturing (PFAm) and non-maturing (PFAnm) components of the PFA. In the updated version only one productivity parameter is calculated, and used to calculate total PFA, which is then split into PFAm and PFAnm based upon the proportion of PFAm (p.PFAm). PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder). PIT tags use radio frequency identification technology. PIT tags lack an internal power source. They are energized on encountering an electromagnetic field emitted from a transceiver. The tag's unique identity code is pro- grammed into the microchip's nonvolatile memory. PSAT (ParkinsonSat satellite tags) ROO (Region of Origin) RR model (Run-Reconstruction model). RR model is used to estimate PFA and national CLs. RVS (Red Vent Syndrome). This condition has been noted since 2005, and has been linked to the presence of a nematode worm, Anisakis simplex. This is a common parasite of marine fish and is also found in migratory species. The larval nematode stages in fish are usually found spirally coiled on the mesenteries, internal organs and less frequently in the somatic muscle of host fish. SAC (Special Area of Conservation). Strictly protected site designated under the Euro- pean Committee Habitats Directive. SALSEA (Salmon at Sea). An international programme of co-operative research, adopted in 2005, designed to improve understanding of the migration and distribution of salmon at sea in relation to feeding opportunities and predation. SALSEA-Merge (Salmon at Sea Merge). SALSEA-Merge is an international programme of cooperative research designed to improve understanding of the migration and distribution of salmon at sea in relation to feeding opportunities and predation. It differ- entiates between tasks, which can be achieved through enhanced coordination of existing ongoing research, and those involving new research for which funding is required. SALSEA-Track (Salmon at Sea Track). SALSEA-Track is the second phase of the SAL- SEA Programme. It employs advances in telemetry technology to precisely track At- lantic salmon along their migration routes through cooperative international research initiatives.

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SE (standard error). SER (Spawning Escapement Reserve). The CL increased to take account of natural mortality between the recruitment date (assumed to be 1st January) and the date of return to homewaters. SFA (Salmon Fishing Areas). Areas for which the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada manages the salmon fisheries. Slim, i.e. CL (Conservation Limit). Demarcation of undesirable stock levels or levels of fishing activity; the ultimate objective when managing stocks and regulating fisheries will be to ensure that there is a high probability that the undesirable levels are avoided.

SMSY (Spawners for maximum sustainable yield). The spawner abundance that generates recruitment at a level that provides a maximum exploitable yield (recruitment minus spawners). SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism). Type of genetic marker used in stock identification and population genetic studies. S–R (Stock–recruitment). SoBI (Strait of Belle Isle). SVA (Swedish National Veterinary Institute). TAC (Total Allowable Catch). TAC is the quantity of fish that can be taken from each stock each year. ToR (Terms of reference). UDN (Ulcerative Dermal Necrosis). Disease mainly affecting wild Atlantic salmon, sea trout and sometimes other salmonids. It usually occurs in adult fish returning from the sea in the colder months of the year and starts as small lesions on the scale-less regions of the fish, mainly the snout, above the eye and near the gill cover. On entry to freshwater lesions ulcerate and may become infected with secondary pathogens like the fungus Saprolegnia spp. Major outbreaks of UDN occurred in the 1880s (UK) and 1960s–1970s (UK and Ireland), but the disease has also been reported from France, and in 2015 from the Baltic and Russia. UK (United Kingdom and Northern Ireland). Country in Europe. VHS (Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia). An infectious fish disease caused by the VHS virus. WGC (West Greenland Commission). The West Greenland Commission of NASCO or the West Greenland Commission area of NASCO. WGDIAD (Working Group on Science to Support Conservation, Restoration and Manage- ment of Diadromous Species). The task of the working group is to provide a review of examples of successes and failures in wild salmon restoration and rehabilitation and develop a classification of activities, which could be recommended under various conditions or threats to the persistence of populations. The Working Group held its final meeting in Copenhagen in November 2015. WGF (West Greenland Fishery). Regulatory measures for the WGF have been agreed by the West Greenland Commission of NASCO for most years since NASCO's establishment. These have resulted in greatly reduced allowable catches in the WGF, reflecting declining abundance of the salmon stocks in the area.

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WGNAS (Working Group on North Atlantic Salmon). ICES working group responsible for the annual assessment of the status of salmon stocks across the North Atlantic and formulating catch advice for NASCO. WGDIAD (Working Group on the Science Requirements to Support Conservation, Restora- tion and Management of Diadromous Species). Formerly WGRECORDS, WGDIAD was reconstituted as a Working Group from the Transition Group on the Science Require- ments to Support Conservation, Restoration and Management of Diadromous Species (TGRECORDS). WKCCISAL (The Workshop on Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Atlantic Salmon Stock Dynamics).

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Annex 8: NASCO has requested ICES to identify relevant data deficiencies, monitoring needs and research requirements

The Working Group recommends that it should meet in 2019 (Chair, Martha Robert- son, Canada) to address questions posed by ICES, including those posed by NASCO. In the absence of a formal invitation elsewhere, the Working Group intends to convene in the headquarters of ICES in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting will be held from 26 March–4 April 2019.

List of recommendations 1 ) The Working Group recommends holding a workshop on salmon scale archives / biochronolgy repositories in order to better align their management systems and goals. 2 ) For more efficient identification of the origin of PIT tagged salmon detected in catches processed at pelagic fish factories, or tags detected in other fisheries, the Working Group recommends that lists of individual PIT tag numbers or codes identifying the origin, source or programme of the tags are recorded and made available in a public database, coordinated on a Euro- pean scale to facilitate identification of individual tagged fish taken in marine fisheries or surveys back to the source. 3 ) The Working Group recommends complete and timely reporting of catch statistics from all fisheries for all areas of eastern Canada. 4 ) The Working Group recommends improved catch statistics and sampling of the Labrador and Saint Pierre and Miquelon fisheries. Improved catch statistics and sampling of all aspects of the fishery across the fishing season will improve the information on biological characteristics and stock origin of salmon harvested in these mixed-stock fisheries. 5 ) The Working Group recommends that additional monitoring be considered in Labrador to estimate stock status for that region. Additionally, efforts should be undertaken to evaluate the utility of other available data sources (e.g. Indigenous and recreational catches and effort) to describe stock status in Labrador. 6 ) The Working Group recommends that efforts to improve the reporting system of catch in the Greenland fishery continue and that detailed statistics related to spatially and temporally explicit catch and effort data for both licensed and unlicensed fishers should be made available to the Working Group for analysis. 7 ) The Working Group recommends continuation of the phone survey programme according to a standardized and consistent annual approach with consideration given to surveying a larger proportion of licensed fishers and the inclusion of the non-licensed fishers. Information gained on the level of total catches for this fishery will provide for a more accurate assessment of the status of stocks and assessment of risk with varying levels of harvest. 8 ) The Working Group recommends a continuation of the broad geographic sampling programme including in Nuuk (multiple NAFO divisions including factory landings when permitted) and consideration should be given to expanding the programme across the fishing season to more accurately estimate continent and region of origin and biological characteristics of the mixed-stock fishery.

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9 ) The Working Group recommends that in preparation for the next update to the FWI (2019, 2020, or 2021) a full suite of all potential input datasets across all regions and stock complexes be evaluated against country-specific management objectives for Southern NEAC.

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Annex 9: Response of WGNAS 2018 to Technical Minutes of the Re- view Group

As per the request of the ICES Review Group (RG), this section provides responses from the Working Group on North Atlantic Salmon (WGNAS) to the Technical Minutes of the RG provided in Annex 10 of ICES (2017) and elaborates on initial comments provided at the 2017 Review Group meeting. The points are addressed in the same order as they were listed in the Technical Minutes.

General comments on the report A written review of the WGNAS 2017 report was provided and is included as Annex 10 of the 2017 WGNAS report (ICES, 2017). The review was discussed during the RG meeting, which provided a good opportunity for feedback and exchange of ideas in both directions. Many of the minor and editorial comments were addressed and incorporated in the 2017 WGNAS report. Responses to the more specific comments are detailed below having been considered more widely by WGNAS participants at their 2018 meeting. The RG indicated that WGNAS produced a comprehensive report on the status and trends of Atlantic salmon abundance and productivity in the Northern Europe, South- ern Europe, and North America, that included additional information requested by NASCO on Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean. The authors of the report should be commended for their effort in pulling a comprehensive document in a very short time.

Specific comments

RG COMMENT WGNAS 2018 RESPONSE Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic Area

1. Updated text and table (3..1.4.1) in the Section 2.1.1 and 3.1.4. The authors compared the WGNAS 2018 report to acknowledge 2016 nominal catches in NEAC with the previous relative change compared to 1960–1980 five and ten year averages. This is helpful to time-series. examine recent changes in catches. However, one may lose a longer term perspective and suffer from a shifting baseline issue. For instance, a nominal catch of 1400 tonnes would be higher than the 10- year average for NEAC. However, that would still be approximately 4–5 times below catches observed in the 1960s. Perhaps indicating the rank of the catch relative to the entire time-series would help to provide this perspective. Or alternatively, compare the recent catches to a standard period, such as the 1960–1980 average.

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2. The text “increased around the world” has Section 2.2.1. In the last sentence of the second been removed in the WGNAS 2018 report. paragraph, the authors indicated that the production of Atlantic salmon in land-based facilities has increased around the world. However, no data are provided to support this statement. It may be desirable to document this in future report, as land-based aquaculture is often perceived as a solution to address wild farm interactions, but it may not be economically sustainable without subsidies. 3. Comment noted. Section 2.3.1 and Figure 2.3.1.1. The report present Marine mortality of smolts continues to be some new results on the survival of salmon tagged a primary area of research interest with acoustic tags in a number of rivers that drain in throughout the North Atlantic. the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in North America. These results are important, as they can help to determine when and where significant mortality occurs, but also to obtain estimate of survival beyond the first few months at-sea. For instance, in the Southwest Miramichi River, return rates are provided for 2007– 2010, and averaged 1.9% (Table 4.3.5.1). Survival during the first two months averaged around 36%. These results imply that survival beyond the first two months would be around 5.3% (0.019/0.36). Hence, significant mortality can occur beyond a period that is often considered “critical” for salmon post-smolts. It may also indicate that the survival bottleneck may be further offshore than previously thought, though some of this mortality could be due to the fishery off West Greenland and St Pierre and Miquelon. I encourage the authors to explore this type of analyses further in future and their consequences. 4. Ongoing research in this area will be Section 2.3.3. In general, the report is well balanced included in future WGNAS reports. by providing nuances and highlighting uncertainties when they exist and future areas of research to reduce these uncertainties. At the end of this section, the authors conclude that, based on the experimental results provided by Bolstad et al. (2017) on age-at-maturity, that “gene flow from escaped farmed salmon as a strong effect on important biological characteristics of wild Atlantic salmon”. While the results of Bolstad et al. are compelling, ultimately the question is whether or not the demographic parameters of the populations affected by introgression (such as overall recruitment). For instance, Ian Bradbury’s team has showed that in one of the river in Newfoundland, F1–F3 hybrids from wild-farm crosses were present, indicating some reproductive and fitness success of the escaped farmed salmon. Hence further work is warranted to explore the consequences of introgression on long-term success of wild populations.

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5. A value was reported for 2017 in the Section 2.3.4.1, 3rd paragraph. The authors WGNAS 2018 report (82% fish in Galway indicated that the incidence of RVS in the Galway River had RVS). weir was lower in 2016 relative to 2015. However, no actual values were reported. For the benefit of the reader, it would be useful to see what those values were. 6. Comment addressed in WGNAS 2018 Section 2.3.4.2. A hydrodynamic model has been report. Model predictions were tested. used to predict the dispersal of lice larvae from aquaculture in Norwegian fjords and predict the infection pressures on Atlantic salmon post-smolts during their residence in these fjords. The report indicates that field sampling was directed in areas where the model predicted high densities of infective stages of the salmon louse and discusses some of the results of this surveillance programme in the following paragraphs. What I couldn’t get from the summary of that work was whether or not the model predictions were actually tested. That is, was concentration of lice copepodites higher in areas predicted to have higher lice copepodites (and vice versa). This is important to at least ground- truth the model. 7. In 2017, the Working Group discussed the Section 2.3.8. The authors report on usual weather unusual conditions reported for UK conditions observed in the UK in winter of (England & Wales) in winter of 2015/2016 2015/2016, and the potential effects that these and it appeared that these were confined conditions had on the abundance of salmon fry. to large parts of the UK. There was no Were these conditions unique to the UK, or was this evidence to suggest that similar, highly something that was broader? Further exploration of unusual conditions had affected juvenile these anomalous conditions is certainly warranted. recruitment in other parts of the Southern Also, given the low abundance of fry observed in NEAC area (or elsewhere). During the 2016, it might be beneficial to the reader to indicate 2018 meeting, the Working Group has when this is expected to have an impact on the reported that the smolt output in 2017, for return of adult salmon somewhere in the report. one monitored river in England where Basically, this would provide a heads up on what to smolts migrate almost exclusively at age look for in future. Also one of the main point here is one, was substantially reduced (less than that the authors were able to document the effects of half the recent 5-year average). Adult these unusual conditions on salmon fry because returns on this, and other rivers where there is a monitoring program that is in place to smolt output is dominated by one-year- assess the abundance of fry. Perhaps one of the olds, are expected to be reduced in 2018 recommendation that can be made is to encourage and 2019. For most other rivers in UK other regions/countries to undertake such a (England & Wales), smolts primarily monitoring program, as this is the only way to migrate as two-year-olds. It is therefore separate freshwater vs. marine effects on salmon likely that smolt output will be below populations. And there are too few returns rates average in many rivers in 2018, with available for wild smolts (Tables 3.3.6.1, 4.3.5.1 and implications for adult returns in 2019 and 4.3.5.2), with many time-series being compromised 2020. The need for additional estimates of and truncated. wild smolt returns was noted; this view is shared by members of the WG.

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8. The Working group agrees with the Section 2.5.1. A synthesis of diet data of salmon in reviewer’s comment. The presentation of the Northwest Atlantic during the marine phase the Atlantic salmon diet data from the collated from 1935 to 2017 has been provided. Northwest Atlantic was meant to provide Comparisons were made between different phases a baseline for all information. The of their marine life. Perhaps one of the next steps Working Group agrees that the next that should have been highlighted in the report logical step is to explore if diets have would be to identify how diet has changed over changed over time and whether or not time, and whether or not there were any linkages there were any linkages between changes between changes in diet and the productivity of in diet and the productivity of salmon. salmon in the Northwest Atlantic. Similarly, These are the next steps for this work and comparison with diet in the Northeast Atlantic it is being pursued by researchers outside would be interesting to perform. the Working Group. 9. Zooplankton abundance for these areas of Section 2.5.3 (Zooplankton). Zooplankton the Norwegian Sea is only available for abundance (or biomass?) appears to be higher in spring and summer. northern vs. southern regions of the Norwegian Sea. Was that for the summer? Is that consistent among seasons? 10. The Working Group modified the text Section 2.8, 2nd paragraph. The report indicates that identified in Section 2.7 by the reviewer to the USA opted for a genetic “marking” procedure to the following “In the USA, genetic trace the origin of farmed salmon captured in the “marking” procedures have been adopted wild following escape events. Perhaps some where broodstock are genetically screened and additional information of the genetic marking the resulting database is used to match would be useful, as some readers may think that the genotyped escaped farmed salmon to a specific fish were genetically modified, when in all parental mating pair and subsequent hatchery likelihood they are using microsatellites or SNPs of origin, stocking group, and marine site the from the parental broodstock to identify their individual escaped from.”. The Working offspring (sometimes referred to as Parental Based Group believes this is an adequate Tagging). explanation of the process. NEAC

11. Section 3.2.2.2. The conservation limits for Section 3.2.2.2. The conservation limits for Sweden Sweden are based on egg deposition that are based on egg deposition that produces MSY for produces MSY for a reference system. a reference system. Unfortunately, egg deposition is Unfortunately, egg deposition is not not available for most system, and they had to use available for most system, and they had to parr densities from “undisturbed rivers and in good use parr densities from “undisturbed salmon habitat” as a proxy for the conservation rivers and in good salmon habitat” as a limits. Perhaps a comparison of both approaches for proxy for the conservation limits. Perhaps estimating the conservation limits to see if they a comparison of both approaches for provide a similar picture of the current situation in estimating the conservation limits to see if Sweden, and whether or not this can be exported to they provide a similar picture of the other countries. current situation in Sweden, and whether or not this can be exported to other countries. Juvenile assessment methods are being developed or considered in other countries. Juvenile assessment methods are being developed or considered in other countries.

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12. The Working Group agreed that such Section 3.3.6, first paragraph: The report indicated analyses would be of value. They will be that return rates of hatchery-released fish may not conducted and presented in the 2019 always be a reliable indicator of return rates of wild report. fish. While this may be the case, they may follow similar trends, although the return rates of hatchery fish may be lower. A comparison of survival trends between wild and hatchery fish should be performed to determine to what extent the return rates of hatchery salmon can be used as an indicator of the return rates of wild salmon. 13. Southern NEAC populations are Figure 3.3.6.3 and Table 3.3.6.1: Based on the comprised of a larger proportion of 1SW information that is presented in this report, it would salmon than Northern stocks. appear that return rates are overall higher in Return rates are not equivalent to survival Southern NEAC vs. Northern NEAC. This was to rates for stocks with multiple sea age me surprising, as the WGNAS has often concluded classes. that the declines of Atlantic salmon appear to be due The Working Group also acknowledges to a persistent period of poor marine survival. If this that there are few index rivers in Northern was the case, one might expect to see a much more NEAC that may not be representative of pronounced decline of salmon return in Northern the entire region. NEAC compared to Southern NEAC, yet it is the The Working Group agreed that further opposite that we see, implying that the poor analyses would be of value. performance of salmon in Southern NEAC is due to

poor freshwater conditions in Southern NEAC. This needs to be discussed in the report, in particular if there are caveats in making this comparison. NAC

14. Additional text was added to Section 4.1.2 Section 4.1.2. The report indicates that there are 23 of the 2018 WGNAS report indicating why regions for which DFO manages the salmon populations of Inner Bay of Fundy fisheries. However, for this report (and all previous Atlantic Salmon are not included the ones), fish from area 22 and a portion of area 23 in Working Group Report and advice to the Bay of Fundy are not included in any of the NASCO (i.e. local migration strategy calculations. For readers not familiar with Atlantic while at sea and an incidence of maturity salmon in the area, it might be beneficial if an after one winter at sea). explanation was provided within the context of NASCO as to why this was done. 15. These calculations allow comparisons of Section 4.1.4. Attempts were made to express the harvests, corrected by marine mortality, to harvest histories in North America as 2SW standardized potential return years for equivalents. It was unclear to me why this was 2SW salmon. This information is useful actually done, considering that 1SW appears to and necessary to allow consideration of dominate the returns to Newfoundland. A sharing arrangements that NASCO has justification for doing this work might be defined for the harvest of North American warranted. 2SW salmon at Greenland (currently 40%). 16. The overall exploitation rate for NAC Section 4.1.6. A reference might be required to help includes data on returns and spawners. the reader find information on how catch and Catch and release mortality estimates are release mortality is accounted for in the exploitation included in the calculation for spawners. rates. The individual NAC river exploitation rates only include harvest (retained) fish.

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17. Section 4.3.7, p. 18. The report concludes that the In 2017, the Working Group noted, return of 1SW has generally increased over the time- “Returns of 1SW salmon have generally series for the NAC, mainly as a result of the increased over the time-series for the commercial fishery closures in Canada. While the NAC, mainly as a result of the commercial increased returns of salmon in Labrador and fishery closures in Canada and increased Newfoundland appear to coincide with the closure returns over time to Labrador and of the commercial fishery in these waters in 1992, Newfoundland.” This statement was a elsewhere, returns have not increased despite the generalization to encompass both the closure of the commercial fishery (for instance, no increased returns to rivers observed after increase in Québec since the commercial fishery was the closures of commercial fisheries and closed in 2000) or complete fishery closures (not the increased returns over time to even catch and release) in some cases (Bay of Fundy Labrador and Newfoundland, which have for instance). So the statement that the closure of the comprise a large proportion of the 1SW fishery closure is the main reason why returns returns to NAC. The Working Group increased might be over simplistic and misleading. believes that these factors have led to the increase in returns to rivers over time to NAC.

West Greenland 18. The Working Group notes that this bias Section 5.1.2. To estimate the total harvest in the may occur. However, without more West Greenland fishery, the Working Group detailed information on the seasonal accounted for unreported catches, by adding the distribution of landings it is not possible values report by the Government of Greenland for to further disentangle the unreported unreported catches, values determined from phone catch estimates. Further clarification on surveys, and the discrepancies in the landing noted this is noted in the 2018 report and the by the observers (that is they weighed more fish Working Group also recommends that than was actually reported in the area). The detailed landings information and a more Working Group recognized that this was likely a comprehensive phone survey are needed minimal estimate, as the observers were only to more accurately estimate unreported present for two weeks during the six week salmon catch. fishery period. It should be noted that it is possible The Working Group also notes that that the discrepancies reported by the observers samplers are typically only deployed may have already been caught as part of the phone within selected communities for 2–6 survey, though this is unknown. Hence, the weeks in total per year whereas the unreported catch documented by the observers may fishing season runs for 10–12 weeks. have been counted twice in the assessment of the unreported catch (that is, once by the observers, and once by the phone survey), which would overestimate the unreported catch. The values reported by the observers are small though relative to those derived from the phone surveys, and is unlikely to have a large influence on the results presented by the Working Group. Nevertheless, this source of uncertainty needs to be recognized in the report.

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19. The Working Group notes that a full Section 5.1.3. The report concludes that the evaluation of the estimation of natural exploitation rate of salmon in the West Greenland mortality was conducted by ICES in 2005 fishery was 9.7%, which was among the lowest (ICES, 2005; Section 2.3) and in fact the value observed in the time-series. Here, exploitation method reported by Lorenzen (1996. J. rate is estimated by dividing the nominal catch in Fish Biol 49: 627–647) was applied. The West Greenland (adjusted for unreported catch) by Working Group continues to investigate the estimated pre-fishery abundance (PFA) in this other methods to estimate natural area. It should be noted though that the PFA is mortality (e.g. sex-based estimates), but sensitive to the mortality rates assumed to occur in the required input data are currently not the ocean during the last 13 months of their marine available. life, which is currently set at 3% per month, for all years. While this value appears to be reasonable, there is currently no direct empirical estimate of mortality of salmon during that phase of the life cycle (though it was probably justified in a previous assessment), and some effort should be directed to obtain this estimate. For instance, in comment #3, it was inferred that the survival beyond the first two months could be around 5.3% for the Southwest Miramichi River. If we assumed that the fish remained in the ocean for 24 months before maturing (and that there was no fishing mortality in West Greenland), monthly mortality would be around 12%. As a first approximation, this implies that the pre-fishery abundance of the non-maturing 1SW in the NAC complex would be about three times larger if monthly mortality was 12% compared to 3% (this would be roughly equal to e(- 0.03+0.12)*12, where 12 is the number of months at- sea following harvest). And the estimated exploitation rate of NAC in West Greenland would have been overestimated by a factor of 3. Lorenzen (1996. J. Fish Biol 49: 627–647) derived an allometric model of annual mortality rates of fish using published estimates of annual mortality rate and body weight. Using the model he derived for mortality rate in the ocean and an average body weight of 3200 g for salmon caught in West Greenland would provide an annual mortality rate of 0.315 per year or 2.6% per month. This would be in line with the value used by the WGNAS. However, the unexplained variance around fish weighing 3.2 kg is about plus or minus half an order of magnitude. That means that the most likely annual mortality rate is somewhere between 0.1 and 1 per year for fish of that size, or a monthly mortality rate of 0.8% to 8%. Hence there is considerable uncertainty in the natural mortality rate for the non-maturing 1SW off West Greenland. And depending on the value that is used, it will affect the estimated exploitation rate in the West Greenland fishery, and the perceived impact of this fishery on the abundance of NAC and Southern NEAC stocks. Hence the choice of the mean monthly mortality rate used by the WGNAS to estimate the PFA needs to be well documented, as well as to how uncertainty around that estimate was derived, and then referred to in the report.

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20. The Working Group notes that samples Section 5.2.3. Sampling for juvenile salmon has been from the one Atlantic salmon river in conducted in a West Greenland river in 2016. These Greenland, the Kapisillit River, has been samples would provide useful material for genetic included in the North Atlantic-wide SNP stock identification, if salmon from West Greenland baseline. No samples analysed from the have not been included in the baseline that is used 2017 fishery were assigned to the to determine the origin of the catch in the West Kapisillit River. Greenland fishery. Future genetic stock identification of the catch should include not only the Northwest and Northeast Atlantic stocks, but also the West Greenland stocks.

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Annex 10: Technical minutes from the Review Group on North Sea Salmon

• RGSalmon • 23–26 April 2017 • Reviewer: Marc Trudel, Canada • Working Group: WGNAS

General comments The ICES Working Group on North Atlantic Salmon (WGNAS) produced a comprehensive report on the status and trends of Atlantic salmon abundance and productivity in the Northern Europe, Southern Europe, and North America, that included additional information requested by NASCO on Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean. The authors of the report should be commended for their effort in pulling a comprehensive document in a very short time. The recommendations from ICES to NASCO with respect to the mixed-stock fisheries in the Faroes and off Greenland remain essentially unchanged from the previous assessment (i.e. no provision for mixed-stock fisheries in these areas that would meet all the conservation requirements for the NEAC and NAC complexes).

Specific comments

Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic area 1) Section 2.1.1 (third to last paragraph). The authors indicated that “Estuarine fisheries have fluctuated between 18 (2008) and 40 t (2015) in the period. This doesn’t seem to match the results presented in Figure 2.1.1.3, along with the observation of a dramatic decline reported a few lines above. 2) Section 2.3.2. Pink salmon are often thought have a fixed 2-year life cycle. However, 3-year old pink salmon are not uncommon in the Great Lakes (see Wagner and Stauf- fer, 1980). This may need to be corrected in the text.

Wagner, W.C., and T.M. Stauffer. 1980. Three-Year-Old Pink Salmon in Lake Superior Tributar- ies. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 109: 458–460. 3) Section 2.3.3.1. Please indicate the type of tags that were used on striped bass. 4) Section 2.3.4. The title of this section is misleading, as the authors only reported acoustic telemetry conducted in the Miramichi River, and ignored other studies that were performed in 2017. For instance, David Hardie (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography) tagged salmon smolts with conventional acoustic tags as well as with predation-tags in some river systems in the Maritimes Region. In future years, it might be desirable to report either on all the acoustic tagging studies performed on Atlantic salmon in Canada, or preferably in the North Atlantic. The later would be preferable, as it would relate to the SALSEA-Track programme. 5) Section 2.3.7. The authors report the number of salmon that are intercepted in the Icelandic mackerel fishery per 1000 tonnes of mackerel. It might be useful to the reader if the authors expended the bycatch of salmon for the total tonnage of mackerel to give a better sense of how salmon are likely caught in this fishery.

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6) Section 2.4.1. The authors provide a summary of the WGERAAS report on the failures and successes of salmon restoration. I have quickly glanced at the appendices in this report, and in general, the studies that were examined to assess the successes and failures of restoration did not compare changes in salmon abundance in nearby reference sites. Hence, it might be difficult to ascribe changes (or lack thereof) that occurred following a restoration activity to that activity. One additional recommendation that should be listed is to include at the very least one nearby reference site as part of the pre- and post-evaluation process.

NEAC 7) Section 3.3.6. The authors correctly pointed out that, for Northern NEAC, marine survival (or return rates) was only available for one population in recent years (in Nor- way), and as such may not an appropriate indicator of survival trends in Northern NEAC. The authors should also provide a cautionary note regarding the survival of hatchery smolts from Southern NEAC, as estimates are only available for Ireland, which may not be representative of the whole Southern NEAC complex. Hence, it may be difficult to compare trends in smolt survival trends between Northern and Southern NEAC, wild and hatchery smolts, as the aggregate survival may not be integrated over the same spatial scales. 8) Section 3.3.6, next to last paragraph and last paragraph. The authors indicated that data were available from four French index rivers: Bresle, Oir, Scorff, and Nivelle. However, results for Bresle were not presented in Table 3.3.6.1. 9) Section 3.4.1. Why were catches in the Faroes and off Greenland included as covariates rather than using the actual catch data in the estimation of the Pre-fishery Assess- ment? 10) Section 3.4.2. I may have missed this, but how well did the projections do (this was explored for the North American Commission)? For instance, the model was initially run in 2014 to project pre-fishery abundance in 2015, 2016, and 2017. How close were the projected values to those obtained from the latest data? Clearly, this can be affected by domestic management allocations, but it would still be desirable to know how well the model performed to give some confidence to the reader that this model works reasonably well, as it is now used to make projections to 2021. Though I recognize that the variance in the projections increase over time. 11) Section 3.4.3. UK (England & Wales). The authors indicated that “Lagged eggs for the maturing component are forecast to decline to the lowers levels in the time-series”. I presume the authors refer to the top left panel of Figure 3.4.3.3 here? If so, I don’t think I can see this, except perhaps for 2018. 12) Section 3.5.1. It would appear that NASCO has yet to adopt a management objective for the mixed-stock fishery in the Faroes and off Greenland. Is there any indication as to when NASCO is expected to adopt these objectives? 13) Section 3.5.2. The Working Group noted that incidence of North American salmon in the catches at the Faroes were higher than previously reported due to recent genetic analyses. I presume that this is based on genetic analyses performed on historical samples? It might be desirable to perform an experimental fishery in the Faroes to determine whether or not this is the case with contemporary samples. One approach could be to use longlines to catch the fish. Depending on the duration of the soak time, it may be possible to catch and release the fish alive as was done in the North Pacific during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

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NAC 14) Section 4.1.2. The Recreational fisheries end with “In all areas of eastern Canada, there is no estimate of salmon released as bycatch in recreational fisheries targeting other species”. I presume here that all the salmon caught as bycatch in these recreational fisheries would have to be released, alive preferentially (unless the fish died during the capture process, it would still have to be released). So that would not be counted as part of the nominal catch, but rather as a catch and release. Is that correct? 15) Section 4.1.3. Last paragraph of the Recreational fisheries section. The authors indicated that, except for the province of Québec, Canada does not regularly collect recreational catch statistics for Atlantic salmon. Shouldn’t the Working Group recommend that Canada collect this type of information on an annual basis (or some other regular reporting schedule)? 16) Section 4.1.6. Section on Canada. The authors indicated that the provisional exploitation rates for 2017for the retained small salmon in the recreational fishery was 11% for Newfoundland, which was greater than the previous five year mean of 10%. While technically 11% is greater than 10%, this difference is relatively small and well within the measurement errors of these estimates. So perhaps indicating that they are slightly larger or similar might be better. 17) Section 4.3.5, second paragraph. The authors indicated that the return rate of the small salmon of hatchery origin to the Penobscott was similar to 2016, but above the 1991–present average. This statement is not backed up by the data, as the 1991–present average is 5.2% compared the value of 5% that was used. So there isn’t much difference to the long-term average. Note also that many of these survival estimates are similar to each other (for instance 0.2 vs. 0.3%). This should be kept in mind when highlighting differences among years or longer term averages. 18) Section 4.4.3.1, second paragraph and Figure 4.4.3.1.1. The authors noted that the lagged spanwers for NAC have generally been less than half of the conservation limit for NAC (though they recognized that there were regional differences). Does that mean that Canada should not have had any retention fishery for salmon since the 1970s? 18) There are many tables of time-series in this document, and references are often made between the value observed in 2017 and some average of the time-series (usually the ten year average). It might be useful in the NAC table to include the mean and standard deviation of the data in the report itself for the entire dataset (or some period of high return/survival), the ten year mean, and the five year mean. This should help to put the recent results in perspective!

West Greenland 19) Section 5.1.2. The number of phone surveys that were performed this year to help in the assessment of the unreported catch was very low compared to last year (only nine interviews). The reasons for the low participation should be investigated in order to improve the reporting in future years. Perhaps even offering an incentive if necessary. 20) Section 5.1.3. The exploitation rate for the southern NEAC complex was 0.8% in 2016. The Working Group indicated that this was a slight increase relative to the previous year and five-year mean. As in comment #17, these differences are relatively small compared to the measurement error. Although the Working Group used the word “slight” here, it might simply better to say that they were similar given this uncertainty.

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21) Section 5.2.2. Second to last paragraph. The Working Group indicated that “The annual variation in the continental representation among divisions within the recent time-series underscores the need to sample multiple NAFO Divisions to achieve the most accurate estimates of the contribution of fish from each continent to the mixed- stock fishery”. While this looks like this is the case when Figures 5.2.2.4–5.2.2.6 are examined, it is difficult to gage the magnitude of the variation of these proportions without providing an error estimate for these estimates. It might be worth presenting these in future. 22) Figure 5.8.3.1. The plot for the risk analysis for the catch options at West Greenland indicate that the mortality function was introduced without error (and fixed at 3% per month). Given that there are some uncertainties associated with this mortality estimates, it might be better to introduce some errors on this term as well. In the past, my understanding was that it was bound between 2% and 4%.

Final thoughts I have been involved as an external reviewer for the ICES WGNAS since 2012. During that time, the recommendations from ICES to NASCO for the mixed-stock fisheries have remained essentially unchanged (i.e. no provision for mixed-stock fisheries). Nominal catches have declined in part due to an increase in the catch and release recreational fishery, and a reduction in the retention fishery. One then wonders, what conditions would be needed for the recommendation to change? With the endangered status of Atlantic salmon in the US, and pending designation for stocks in the Scotia- Fundy region, it is unlikely that we will ever reach a 95% simultaneous attainment of the conservation limits at the regional level, let alone at the individual population level, in the near and possibly foreseeable future. Hence, the advice for West Greenland will likely remain unchanged until the situation of these stocks improves.