The Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has been utilizing electrofishing to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River for the past few years. This method involves using an electric current to temporarily stun fish, allowing crews to safely capture, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the river.
Michael Fabiano, the conservation co-ordinator of the association, mentioned that electrofishing operations occur from May to late September with a two per cent mortality rate among the thousands of fish processed each season. Safety for the fish is a top priority, and electrofishing is avoided when water temperatures are too high to prevent harm.
Crews carefully regulate the electric current to momentarily disorient the fish, wearing protective gear like heavy rubber gloves and chest waders to prevent any accidents. The survey covers various locations along the 120-kilometre river to pinpoint the most productive streams and assess the overall health of the fish population, predominantly consisting of trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional sightings of eels and lampreys.
This season, the association has caught and released around 1,800 fish across nine streams, a decrease from the previous year. According to Fabiano, the decline may be attributed to the challenging conditions experienced last year, including low water levels and high temperatures due to a severe drought that significantly impacted the Margaree region.
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, explained that the group intensified its scientific research efforts due to reduced data collection by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the past five years. Founded in 1982, the association aimed to gather reliable data to monitor river health amidst changing climate conditions.
To address the data gap, the association collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to acquire electrofishing equipment. While manual fish counting is also conducted, MacNeil highlighted that electrofishing provides more precise data on juvenile fish populations within specific territories.
The association’s initiative aligns with its commitment to ensuring the sustainability and conservation of fish populations in the Margaree River amid environmental challenges and resource constraints.