Migrating Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar ) Caught by Otter Trawl on the Newfoundland Continental Shelf

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Author: Lear, W. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1976
• Subjects: General Medicine; Atlantic salmon; Newfoundland; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f76-154; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f76-154

Fifty-four Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were reported from incidental catches of otter trawls on the continental shelf off Newfoundland during 1933–74. Fifty percent of the captures were taken along the southwest edge of the Grand Bank. On the basis of weights, 19% of the salmon were presumed to be 1-sea-winter salmon, 60% were 2-sea-winter salmon, 19% were 3-sea-winter salmon while 2% had previously spawned. It is postulated that the southwestern Grand Bank may form a winter–spring migration route for Atlantic salmon enroute to southern and western Newfoundland, the Maritime provinces, and Quebec.