Impact of Recent Economic Growth and Industrial Development on the Ecology of Northwest Miramichi Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar )

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Author: Elson, Paul F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1974
• Subjects: General Medicine; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f74-089; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f74-089

The history of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) runs of the Northwest Miramichi from 1950 to 1973 is reviewed. Decreases in these runs are related to degrading of ecological conditions in the river's rearing reaches as a result of adverse chemical conditions attributable to recent developments in forest management and to base metal mining. Diversion of indigenous adult stocks into other streams of the system as a result of pollution of the home stream by mining, pulpmill, and other human activities is examined and evaluated. Increase of commercial catches as a result of pollution-caused delay in the estuary of migrating adults is analyzed. Grave depletion of stocks as a result of the combined effects of these factors plus distant-water fishing is identified, as is incipient recovery of stocks when home-water commercial fishing was eliminated and pollution abatement measures were introduced to the river. A suppressing effect of heavy angling pressure on stock abundance when stocks are low is noted.