Atlantic Salmon Fork Length Measurements Across Eastern Canada 1971-2021

A 50-year time series from 1971 to 2021 documents mean fork length for returning adult Atlantic salmon. Data originates from monitoring programs by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and a Québec ministry, covering at least 16 rivers across a 10° latitudinal gradient in Eastern Canada. It includes measurements for salmon that spent one or two years in the marine environment.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in mean fork length over the 50-year period to assess population health changes.
• Compare fork length measurements across the 10° latitudinal gradient to study environmental influences on salmon growth.
• Investigate differences in fork length between salmon that spent one year (1SW) versus two years (2SW) in the marine environment.

Strengths

• Covers a 50-year period (1971-2021), providing a long-term ecological perspective.
• Spatial coverage includes at least 16 rivers across a 10° latitudinal gradient in Eastern Canada.
• Data is sourced from official government monitoring programs by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Government of Québec.

Limitations

• The dataset provides mean fork length values, not individual fish measurements, limiting granular analysis.
• Specific sample sizes (row counts) and measurement methodologies per river and year are not detailed in the provided input.
• Geographic coverage is focused on Eastern Canada, limiting applicability to other salmon populations.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, Government of Québec.

Collection Method

Collected as part of official Atlantic salmon returns monitoring programs.

Time Range

1971 to 2021.

Freshness

Data last updated in March 2026, with coverage through 2021.

Geography

At least 16 rivers throughout Eastern Canada, spanning a 10° latitudinal gradient, including all provinces in Atlantic Canada and three rivers in Québec.