Since 1953, the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) has worked toward the preservation and enhancement of Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi River. With strength in numbers, the MSA continues to build its membership to support our conservation efforts. We encourage you, if not already a member, to please join us.

Vol. 81 April 2025

Hello MSA Members and Supporters -

Spring is finally upon us, and with it comes a renewed sense of purpose as we prepare for another critical field season at the Miramichi Salmon Association. Our team is hard at work finalizing plans for the months ahead, ensuring that our efforts continue to make a meaningful impact on the conservation and restoration of Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi watershed.

One significant development in the broader conservation landscape is the recent release of Restore, Maintain, Thrive: Canada’s National Strategy to Ensure the Future of Wild Atlantic Salmon by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). We extend our thanks to New Brunswick’s Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development, Mike Herron, for helping to push this initiative to the finish line. While the strategy does not currently include significant funding, we welcome its release as it provides a much-needed roadmap for salmon conservation. This document acknowledges the challenges we face and reinforces the important role of First Nations and highlights collaborative place-based action.

Closer to home, MSA is gearing up for our field season. A full overview of our programs and priorities can be found in this month’s Leaper, where our biologist, Lyndsay Jay-Keating, outline the key activities planned for the coming months. From monitoring salmon populations to habitat restoration efforts, our dedicated team is committed to making a real difference for the future of this iconic species.

In exciting news, our Icebreaker Dinner has officially sold out! This strong show of support from our members and the broader community is truly inspiring. We are grateful to all who will be joining us for this important fundraising event, which directly supports our conservation initiatives. The evening will also coincide with our Annual General Meeting, providing an excellent opportunity to reflect on our work and discuss the path ahead.

At MSA, we recognize that the challenges facing Atlantic salmon are substantial, but so is our resolve. Every stocking effort, every habitat restoration project, and every advocacy initiative contributes to the fight to restore wild Atlantic salmon populations. It is through the dedication of our supporters, volunteers, and staff that we continue to push forward. Thank you for being part of this journey – together, we can make a difference for the future of Atlantic salmon.

Sincerely,

William (Butch) Dalton

President, Miramichi Salmon Association

Important news regarding Atlantic salmon conservation!

On March 13th, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier announced Canada’s first ever conservation strategy to restore and rebuild wild Atlantic salmon populations and their habitats, “Restore, Maintain, Thrive: Canada’s national strategy to ensure the future of Wild Atlantic salmon”.

The launch of this strategy is a positive first step in safeguarding the future of Atlantic salmon in Canada. This strategy will help to address the pressing challenges that have led to the decline of wild salmon populations. It also emphasizes collaboration with Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and scientists to ensure that conservation efforts are both effective and inclusive. With this comprehensive approach, Canada is taking a bold stand to protect one of our most iconic species, ensuring that wild Atlantic salmon can once again thrive in our rivers and oceans for generations to come.

The Miramichi Salmon Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Saturday, April 26th at the Upper Miramichi Rural Community Centre.

This is your chance to hear updates on MSA’s conservation efforts, research initiatives, and future plans for Atlantic salmon restoration.

The Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest is an opportunity for photographers to showcase their best shots of the Miramichi River and its surroundings. This is an annual event that runs from April 15th until October 15th. The MSA invites participants to submit their best photos capturing the beauty and diversity of the Miramichi watershed. This photo contest is open to all amateur photographers. Contest categories include Miramichi People, Angling, Miramichi Scenes, and Kids.

Our 2025 Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest prize package is sponsored by:

Bates Custom Laminating and Framing

1st Place - $250

2nd Place - $150

3rd Place - $75

4th Place - $25

Mild temperatures and rainy days are upon us at the MSCC, as spring finally begins, and our busy season starts to ramp up. Daily care for all the fish on-site is a 7 day a week job and we currently have two buildings incubating salmon eggs and sac fry, and one building holding 4-year classes of older fish. 

Inventory estimates on the eggs take place once they are "eyed-up" and safe to handle before being placed into incubation boxes with artificial substrate mats. As the fry hatch in these boxes, they burrow down into the mats and absorb their yolksac for nutrition until mid-late May when rising water temperatures drive their metabolism up and they need to start swimming into the water column to find food. They are released from the incubators at this time and fed for a couple of weeks as our stocking program begins in early June, and they are released back into their natal waters.

Our Grow-Out Building houses salmon collected as part of our Smolt-to-Adult Supplementation (SAS) fry stocking efforts. Smolts collected from the Dungarvon River (as part of the experimental fry stocking program), and smolts collected from the Southwest Miramichi River (intended for a supplementation program) are being cared for in large tanks with automatic feeders and routine anti-fungal treatments as part of daily monitoring and good fish husbandry practices. Mature fish from the older year clasess will be spawned in the fall of 2025 for stocking in 2026.

We supported the Fish Friends program again this year, with two volunteers coordinating egg pick up and drop off to local elementary and middle schools. We supplied a small number of eggs to each school and the students get to learn about the biology of Atlantic salmon and come visit the MSCC for a tour in May.

The Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) is preparing for another active season focused on the health of Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi River. Here’s a look at our key initiatives for 2025:

Smolt Estimate: As spring arrives, we’re gearing up for our annual smolt estimates. To enhance the accuracy of these estimates, the MSA will once again deploy two smolt wheels on the Northwest Miramichi River and one wheel on the Dungarvon River. All necessary equipment, including cables and gear, is ready, and maintenance on the wheels is already underway. Our goal is to have the wheels in place by the beginning of May.

Smolt Tracking: This year, we continue our partnership with the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) to track smolts. Starting in the spring, the team will be tagging smolts from both the Northwest and Southwest Miramichi Rivers (including Rocky Brook) with Vemco acoustic transmitters. By tracking their movement as they exit the river, pass through the estuary, and enter the Gulf of St. Lawrence, we’ll be able to determine smolt survival rates and identify any areas where mortality is high.

Trap and Transport: This year, we continue our partnership with the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) for their experimental trap and transport project. For more information please visit: https://www.asf.ca/bass-blockade-bypass-the-trap-truck-solution/

Fry Stocking: Fry stocking will begin in June 2025, with a focus on areas along the Southwest Miramichi River and the Dungarvon River. This busy season will be key in replenishing the river with young salmon.

Electrofishing: The MSA will carry out its annual electrofishing program in the headwater regions of the Miramichi River watershed to assess juvenile Atlantic salmon presence. This year’s Juvenile Atlantic salmon assessment will take place in late summer 2025.

Cold Water Pool Restoration:  The North Shore Micmac Tribal Council (NSMTC) will collaborate with the MSA and other partners to conduct this year's cold-water pool restoration projects on the Miramichi River. Our team will conduct snorkeling surveys, collect water temperature data, and evaluate past restoration sites for any necessary debris clearance. Additionally, Dr. Antoin O'Sullivan is planning an innovative new cold-water restoration project.

Broodstock Collection: The MSA will not be continuing the traditional collection of adult spawning salmon (broodstock) from the river in 2025. However, we will proceed with broodstock collection for the Dungarvon Experimental Stocking Project. These salmon will be transported to the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre for spawning. The eggs will be incubated over the winter and released as first-feeding fry in June 2026. To maximize their chances of survival, these fry will be placed in areas with low juvenile densities.

Beaver Dam Management: Our beaver dam management program is scheduled for fall 2025. Early assessments of potential sites will be made to ensure we’re ready to begin work during the critical spawning period. If you are aware of any beaver dams obstructing fish passage, please let us know. Additionally, we welcome volunteers to help with this important project.

This year’s field program continues the MSA’s ongoing commitment to the conservation and restoration of Atlantic salmon populations in the Miramichi River watershed. We are excited to collaborate with partners and the community to achieve these goals and welcome anyone interested in getting involved.

Moncton Boat and Sportsmen Show

April 4 - 6th - Moncton Coliseum

IceBreaker Dinner & Auction

April 26th - Boiestown

MSA Annual General Meeting

April 26th - Upper Miramichi Rural Community Centre

If you are not already receiving The Leaper automatically:

Miramichi Salmon Association

485 Route 420

South Esk NB E1V 4L9

506-622-4000

admin@miramichisalmon.ca

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