Not surprisingly, the news is both good and bad. The closure of the commercial fishery in much of Newfoundland in 1992, and the purchase of the Greenland quota for several years, resulted in some spectacular recoveries. However, the overall results have not matched expectations. The worst news concerns the inner Bay of Fundy rivers in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Even after several years of closure, stocks are not recovering.
Scientists have yet to discover why.
Due to stocking, the LaHave River in southern Nova Scotia will have another reasonable year if water conditions cooperate. Outer Bay of Fundy rivers in New Brunswick are also in poor shape except the Saint John River, where hatchery-raised smolts continue to produce a fishable run. New Brunswick's Miramichi River system continues to be productive although biologists are not predicting an increase over last year. On the bright side, a fourfold increase in parr density in the river bodes well for the long-term outlook. Returns to the Bay of Chaleur rivers such as the Restigouche and Nepisiguit should remain stable.