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Programs
Programs
The Miramichi Salmon Association has professional staff employed to conduct many of the programs to protect
and enhance salmon stocks on the Miramichi. The greatest asset to the organization, however, is the many volunteers
that give their time and efforts to raise money, debate issues and conduct programs. We invite MSA members to become
actively involved in the organization by participating in an activity that fits their abilities and schedule.
Field Activities
The MSA conducts field programs where members can observe or participate. The programs are:
Observe, Record and Report - if you observe any illegal activity on the river, write down as much information
as possible and call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-tips(8477). Both DFO and DNRE are members of Crimestoppres
and the information will get to them as quickly as possible. In addition, there are a few problem areas of the Miramichi
where the MSA is recruiting volunteers to watch specific areas to try to curb illegal activity. If you would like to
assist our Conservation Officers, give Mark Hambrook a call at 506 622 4000.
Merganser survey - join the MSA field staff to count broods of merganser ducks along the Miramichi
this summer. The survey will be conducted by canoe and kayak along as much of the Miramichi Watershed as possible during
the first 3 weeks of July to establish the number of birds on the river. Call the South Esk office at 506 622 4000 if
you would like to participate.
Electrofishing survey - the MSA field crew assesses the number of juvenile salmon on the Miramichi each
year to determine the success of spawning and to find low density areas where stocking may be required. The
program will run until late September. To observe or participate, call the South Esk office at 506 622 4000.
Adult salmon collections for broodstock - the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre collects wild adult
Atlantic salmon broodstock from different tributaries of the Miramichi every year for spawning. Members are invited
to participate in seining operations, beginning in August until late October.
Salmon marking - the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre has approximately 500,000 fingerling salmon
to mark each year before releasing them to the various Miramichi tributaries. This involves removing the little
adipose fin with a pair of scissors from the little fish while they are asleep. The activity starts in August and
runs through to late October, and if you can spare a day or a few hours, join our crew at the Conservation Centre and give
a hand. Call the Conservation Centre at 506 622 1781.
Beaver dam breaching - the MSA will be identifying beaver dams that are obstructing key spawning tributaries
of the Miramichi River during the month of September and we will be seeking authority to partially breach these dams when
adult salmon are migrating upstream. The dams will not be removed, just a small opening will be created to concentrate
the water flow and allow salmon that are waiting below the obstruction, the opportunity to reach spawning grounds upstream.
No harm will befall the beaver, as they can repair the dam in 1 or 2 days and the adult salmon usually have little difficulty
finding their way back downstream after spawning. Contact the South Esk office at 506 622 4000 if you would like to
participate in this program.
Dinner Committees
The major revenue source for MSA activities is our fundraising dinners and auction. Dinners are held at various
times of the year in a variety of locations including Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, Hartland, Boiestown, Miramichi and
Boston. Call the South Esk office at 506 622 4000 to get involved in any of the dinner committees.
Youth Fishing Camp
A Youth Fishing Camp is offered to twenty children between the ages of 10-14, generally during the second week of August
each year, at a cost of $100 for all inclusive meals and accommodations at three participating lodges (Tuckaway
Cabins, Pond's Resort and Wilson Sporting Camps); fly fishing and fly tying instruction; water safety and much more.
MSA acknowledges the importance of inviting and keeping our youth involved so that they too can continue to appreciate
the bounty of the wonderful reources at our doorstep - the Atlantic salmon and the Miramichi River - and to become conservationists
on behalf of those resources that will benefit them and generations to come. For further details on this Youth Camp,
please contact the MSA South Esk office at 506 622 4000
RESEARCH
The Miramichi Smolt Study
The Miramichi Salmon Assocation, in it's continuing role
of salmon conservation, is partnering in research programs that effect Miramichi salmon.
The MSA contributes to research projects of other groups
as well as it's own projects. The largest and most ambitious study being the Miramichi Smolt Study.
Background
The Miramichi River is one of the last great salmon rivers
that supports large returns of Atlantic salmon and offers the opportunity for public and private fishing. During the late
1980’s and early 1990’s, management actions to reduce the harvest of large female spawners in the commercial and
sport fishing sectors had resulted in the river exceeding its spawning requirements. However, the Miramichi has not exceeded
spawning thresholds for Atlantic salmon since 1996. The population of adult salmon has been stable for the past 5 years, however, returns
to the Miramichi are less than should be expected, especially given the high juvenile abundance in the river. Although it
is well known that the present returns of Atlantic salmon from the ocean are lower than in the previous decade, it has only
recently been contemplated that part of the decline may be the result of diminished smolt populations going to sea. Thus,
there is a need to know more about the smolt inventory and also about any changes which may be taking place in the physical
condition of smolts due to such factors as temperatures in all seasons, water levels, pollution or possibly even an over-abundance
of juveniles competing for space in the river habitat. There is an extensive data base dating more than thirty years on the
relative abundance and size of juveniles by age group. It has been heretofore assumed that higher juvenile abundance means
greater smolt production, but recent counts from smolt studies on the Miramichi suggest that this assumption may be incorrect.
Specifically, sea survival of smolt is pre-conditioned by their river life stages, and so it now seems vital to consider their
freshwater and saltwater environments in a common perspective.
The Study
The Miramichi Salmon Association has adopted an ambitious
plan for a detailed inventory of the total number of smolts migrating to the ocean from the Southwest Branch of the Miramichi.
Using a proven approach to mark, release and recapture smolt through a series of counting stations at main tributaries, and
especially in the estuary, the study will offer important information about the juvenile life cycle of the Atlantic salmon.
The inventory analysis will determine the production of smolt in the river and help to understand if the major problems facing
the Miramichi salmon are within the river or in the ocean environment. This study will help to direct future activities to
enhance and maintain strong runs of adult salmon to the Miramichi. The inventory will also assess the contributions of salmon
fingerling stocking projects and the MSA’s satellite rearing program. . The full scope and timing of the smolt
study will ultimately depend upon the financial support of MSA sponsors in both the private and public sectors.
TRACKING
KELTS ON THE MIRAMICHI
The
new kelt tracking program is explained on a separate page, so click the title below to access.
kelt tracking
SATELLITE REARING
Commencing in 1983, a growing program for the hatching
and rearing of salmon fry at remote stream sites has been conducted in a collaborative effort between MSA members and the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans. It commenced with salmon fishing clubs at Rocky Brook and Black Brook, and has now spread
to more than 18 different locations throughout the Miramichi system.
From a beginning of just a couple of tanks, there
will be more than 25 tanks producing almost 150,000 first year fingerlings over the current summer. This program promotes
direct investment in the salmon resource by individual camp owners where the right conditions exist, and their contribution
helps to ensure the survival of an important number of fingerlings during the perilous first year of life. Release to the
river takes place just before freeze-up in the fall.
IS THE ADIPOSE FIN MISSING?
(ON YOUR SALMON, GRILSE OR PARR)
IF SO, THE MSA REALLY NEEDS TO KNOW!
For many years, salmon fingerlings have been
released into the Miramichi River with their adipose fins removed for identification. In order to gather accurate survival
statistics, your assistance is requested in reporting any fin-clipped fish you have hooked. This information is vital to the
evaluation of MSA enhancement and conservation efforts. Please report details to any of MSA’s three offices with
date, location, and size of fish. The MSA thanks you sincerely.
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EDUCATION
Fish Friends
Fish friends is the
name of an integrated education program on fish and conservation for elementary grades in Atlantic Canada. It includes the
curriculum supplement, classroom incubation units to raise salmonid eggs and a trilogy of short adventure stories.
Fish
Friends is based around the theme of understanding, respecting and protecting freshwater and anadromous fish, their habitat,
and all the other creatures that live there. In other words, the students and teachers are encouraged to be fish friends.
There is also a strong emphasis on developing science and math skills.
Fish Friends includes classroom activities,
outdoor activities, instructions for incubation and connected activities, interesting and sometimes funny fact sheets, blackline
masters, and a useful resources section complete with names and numbers of community groups. A central component of the package
is the incubation of salmon eggs in the classroom. Each class is provided with a large aquarium and accessories, a cooling
unit, and fertilized fish eggs. Local industries and conservation groups sponsor the program. The Miramichi Salmon Association,
through the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre, provides eggs to schools in the Miramichi region and Eastern New Brunswick.
Upon emergence and swim-up in the spring, students, parents and teachers can make a field trip to release the young fish in
a local stream or hatchery.
Fish Friends was developed under the Atlantic Salmon Federation's Education and Public
Awareness Program (EPAP). The EPAP program promotes grassroots participation in restoring the clean waters and abundant recreational
fish stocks of Atlantic Canada. The audience for the program is everyone, but specifically young people, native communities,
community groups and in particular, schools.
For further Information contact the Atlantic Salmon Federation, St.
Andrews, N.B. 506 529 1072 or the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre, South Esk, N.B. 506 622 1781.
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