In northern Cape Breton, the Margaree Salmon Association 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, enabling crews to safely capture, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the water.
Michael Fabiano, the association’s conservation co-ordinator, mentioned that electrofishing operations typically span from May to late September with a minimal two per cent mortality rate among the thousands of fish handled each season. Emphasizing fish safety as their top priority, Fabiano highlighted the avoidance of electrofishing during high water temperatures.
Crews carefully adjust current levels to ensure fish are momentarily affected, wearing protective gear such as heavy rubber gloves and chest waders to mitigate any risks of electric shock. Surveying various locations along the 120-kilometre river, they focus on identifying the most productive streams and evaluating overall fish health, with the majority of catches comprising trout and Atlantic salmon, along with occasional eels and lampreys.
This season, the association has captured and released approximately 1,800 fish across nine streams, reflecting a decline from the previous year. Fabiano attributed this decrease partly to the challenging conditions experienced in the preceding year, marked by low water levels and high temperatures that significantly impacted the Margaree River.
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, noted that the group intensified its scientific research efforts due to reduced data collection by Fisheries and Oceans Canada over the past five years. Established in 1982, the association sought reliable data to monitor river health amidst shifting climate conditions. To address this data gap, they collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to procure electrofishing equipment, which provides more precise juvenile population data compared to traditional fish counting methods.
MacNeil highlighted the effectiveness of electrofishing in capturing juvenile fish within specific territories, enhancing their ability to assess population dynamics accurately. This strategic approach complements the association’s broader conservation objectives and commitment to sustainable river management practices.