Survival research continues in the Miramichi and Restigouche. In the Miramichi, for example there was a high success in smolt survival from the headwaters to the head-of-tide (91%,  86% and 90% respectively) for 2003 to 2005. The greatest loss occurs at head-of-tide.

By the time smolts reach the open sea, survival rates drop to 43%, 54% and 64% (for the same years). The Restigouche tracking in 2005 had rates of smolt survival to head of tide of 81%, with 33% reaching the open sea, an improvement over the previous year. Research since then has continued on survival rates, building up a profile of the population. The pattern emerging shows differences between rivers and from year to year in survival rates. Each Atlantic salmon river is different - and we are finding out how different.