Atlantic Salmon Counts in Maritime Rivers

Adult Atlantic salmon and grilse are captured and counted at monitoring facilities in rivers across New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Data is updated every two weeks where available, serving as a public engagement tool. Counts are categorized by fish size: salmon (fork length >= 63 cm) and grilse (fork length < 63 cm).

Use Cases

• Analyze trends in salmon and grilse counts over time at specific counting sites like barrier fences or trapnets.
• Compare total run size estimates from barrier fence counts with partial counts from estuary trapnets.
• Map the distribution and relative abundance of salmon across the Maritime provinces using the provided geospatial site locations.
• Investigate potential correlations between fish size groups (salmon vs. grilse) and specific river systems or counting methods.

Strengths

• Data is updated every two weeks, providing near real-time counts.
• Includes counts for two distinct biological size groups: salmon and grilse.
• Covers multiple counting facility types including barrier fences, counting fences, fishways, dams, and trapnets.
• Geospatial component identifies the locations of counting facilities throughout the Maritime region.

Limitations

• The data custodians explicitly advise contacting them before using the information for scientific analysis, indicating potential data quality or methodological constraints.
• Sample data and specific column structure are unavailable for review prior to download.
• Counts from trapnets in estuaries represent only partial counts to a river, not total run size.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Adult Atlantic salmon are captured and counted at monitoring facilities using various methods including barrier fences, counting fences, fishways, dams, and trapnets.

Freshness

Updated every two weeks where available; last platform update was 2026-03-24.

Geography

Rivers in the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada.