Report of the Working Group on North Atlantic Salmon (WGNAS) [4-13 April 2006 ICES Headquarters]

Abstract

• Exploitation continued to decline and nominal catch of Atlantic salmon in 2005 was the lowest in the time series • Marine survival indices suggest that natural mortality remains high • North American Commission 2SW stock complex is suffering reduced reproductive capacity • In the North American Commission area, factors other than fisheries are contributing to continued low adult abundance • Northern North East Atlantic Commission stock complexes (1SW and MSW) are at risk of suffering reduced reproductive capacity • Southern North East Atlantic Commission stock complexes (1SW and MSW) are suffering reduced reproductive capacity • There are no catch options for the 2006–2008 fisheries at West Greenland and the Faroes that would allow the stated precautionary management objectives to be met