Annual Report of the U.S. Atlantic Salmon Assessment Committee Report No. 24-2011 Activities

Total return to USA rivers was 4,167; this is the sum of documented returns to traps and returns estimated on selected Maine rivers. Adult salmon returns to USA rivers with traps or weirs totaled 4,049 in 2011, 152% more than observed in 2010 and 78% more than returned in 2009. Estimated return to Gulf of Maine coastal rivers was 323 adult salmon (90% CI = 248 – 551), the 4th highest for the 1991-2011 time-series. Most returns occurred to the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment, which includes the Penobscot River and eastern Maine coastal rivers, accounting for 85% of the total return. Overall, 26% of the adult returns to the USA were 1SW salmon and 74% were MSW salmon. Most (83%) returns were of hatchery smolt origin and the balance (17%) originated from either natural reproduction or hatchery fry and eggs. A total of 11,480,000 juvenile salmon (fry, parr, and smolts), 5,709 adults, and 859,000 eggs were stocked, with 505,370 juveniles carrying a variety of marks and/or tags. Eggs for USA hatchery programs were taken from 467 sea-run females, 1,539 captive/domestic and domestic females, and 24 female kelts. The number of females (2,030) contributing was less than 2010 (3,317); and the total egg take (11,594,000) was lower than 2010 (18,340,000). Production of farmed salmon in Maine was not available, but was estimated at 5,100 metric tonnes (95% CI 2,100 to 8,100) based on a regression of production and smolt moved to pens two years before. 2012 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) NEFSC (Northeast Fisheries Science Center) Submitted Public Domain 1930