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. 67 February 2024

Dear MSA Members and Supporters,

I hope this message finds you well. We are excited for the developments ahead for the Miramichi Salmon Association, and as we delve into the new year, I am pleased to share some updates on our ongoing initiatives and upcoming events.

First and foremost, I am pleased to report that our hatchery salmon eggs are thriving! The dedicated efforts of our team have ensured their well-being, and we eagerly await the moment when these eggs hatch into fry for our stocking program. This milestone represents our commitment to sustaining the rich salmon population of the Miramichi River for generations to come.

The 2024 MSA US Winter Event occurred at the Portland Country Club in Falmouth, ME on February 3rd. We were pleased to host a diverse group of attendees, both in-person and virtually, who generously supported our Atlantic salmon conservation efforts through participation in auctions and the paddle raise. The evening was marked by a delightful meal and a presentation by Sir Michael Wigan on his salmon enhancement work in Scotland. We extend our sincere gratitude to all event supporters, donors, and guests whose contributions ensured the event's success. A special acknowledgment is owed to the MSA US Dinner Committee for their dedicated efforts in coordinating this exceptional fundraiser.

Mark your calendars for an important event: our Board of Directors meeting on February 22nd at the Fredericton Inn. This meeting promises to be crucial as we delve into pertinent matters concerning our association's trajectory. Your presence and participation are invaluable, and we are hopeful for a strong turnout.

In January, the MSA actively participated in the Eastern New Brunswick Coastal and Inland Recreational Advisory Committee meeting. During this meeting, we voiced our recommendations regarding the exploding striped bass population and addressed concerns about the low survival rate for outgoing smolts. We await a response from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and remain committed to advocating for the well-being of our aquatic ecosystem.

We encourage our members and supporters to act on our letter writing campaign. If we all participate in this call to action, hopefully, we will have some of our concerns addressed moving forward. Your voice matters, and collective action amplifies our impact in advocating for sustainable practices and policies.

Looking ahead, we are planning our spring lineup of fundraising activities. These events not only provide vital support for our initiatives but also foster a sense of community among our members. Stay tuned for further details on how you can get involved and make a meaningful impact.

In closing, I extend my gratitude to each of you for your unwavering dedication to the Miramichi Salmon Association. Together, we continue to make strides in preserving and enhancing the Miramichi River's ecosystem. Your support fuels our mission, and I look forward to the exciting journey ahead.

Tight lines,

William "Butch" Dalton

MSA Interim President

Atlantic salmon returns to the Miramichi River recorded during 2023 represent a historical low point. Local conservation groups point to the recent explosion of striped bass in the Miramichi estuary as a significant factor in the sharp declines in salmon returns. Striped bass, known to prey on fish species native to the Miramichi watershed, including Atlantic salmon smolt, smelt, and gaspereau, present a pressing concern. While the Northwest Miramichi River estuary serves as critical spawning habitat for striped bass in the Gulf region, the management strategy employed by DFO fails to account for other species native to the Miramichi. Earlier this month, the MSA put out a press release which addressed these concerns.

The MSA is urging DFO to pursue a multi-species approach to the river's management and to offer more support for the ongoing conservation efforts of NGOs like ours by implementing their Wild Atlantic Salmon Strategy.

Effective public engagement is crucial in influencing policymakers. With this in mind, we are calling on all MSA supporters to express their concerns regarding the Miramichi River's management and the declining Atlantic salmon populations by writing Minister LeBouthillier. Letters can be sent postage-free to the following address:

The Honourable Diane LeBouthillier

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

House of Commons

Ottawa ON K1A 0A6

Thank you for adding your voice to this important cause!

Our 2024 MSA US Winter Event took place at the Portland Country Club in Falmouth, ME on Saturday, February 3rd. Attendees, both virtual and in-person, generously supported our Atlantic salmon conservation initiatives by participating in the event's auctions and paddle raise. The evening featured a delicious meal and a presentation from Sir Michael Wigan on his salmon enhancement work in Scotland. We would like to extend our gratitude to all of our event supporters, donors, and guests for making this event a success. A special thank you goes out to the MSA US Dinner Committee for coordinating an outstanding fundraiser.

Left: In-person attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner at the Portland Country Club.

Right: Sir Michael Wigan of Borrobol Estate on the Helmsdale River, Scotland was the 2024 MSA US Winter Event keynote speaker.

The Miramichi Fish Hatchery located at the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre has the capacity to produce millions of salmon eggs each year. In the wild, less than 30% of eggs hatch and survive to become fry, but in the hatchery we can increase this rate of survival to 80-90% thanks to continuous monitoring and good husbandry practices.

Hatchery-reared and wild broodstock salmon eggs spawned this fall as part of our traditional and experimental fry stocking programs are currently incubating at the hatchery. Each day, our staff check the oxygen levels and temperature of the water flowing into the buildings, and inspect all equipment to make sure everything is working properly. Staff work diligently to make sure the eggs remain in good health through daily egg-picking and weekly treatments. These practices help to prevent fungal growth.

“Maintaining the eggs is a labour-intensive process," says Hatchery Manager Holly. “Fortunately, we have some great staff and volunteers who have been putting the work in.”

Top: Hatchery Manager Holly performing routine egg maintenance.

Bottom: Closeup photos of our eyed salmon eggs.

Currently, the incubating eggs are at the “eyed” stage. This means the eggs have developed two black dots (the eyes) and their early nervous system is easily visible. Once a salmon egg has eyed, it is less sensitive to handling. These eggs will hatch in about four months and the resultant fry will be stocked into their natal waters in the Miramichi River.

New Brunswick's Crown Reserve system is a limited entry fishery for province residents whereby angling opportunities on prime salmon and brook trout angling waters are allocated on a rod-per-day basis. There are currently 20 regular Crown Reserves in the Miramichi and Restigouche River drainages and these stretches of water are assigned for 48-hour periods through the New Brunswick Crown Reserve draw.

If you are interested in applying to fish any of New Brunswick's Crown Reserve stretches in 2024 please be advised that the application period this year runs from February 6th until March 3rd. 

For more information on this program and how to apply to the draw, please click below.

The MSA is now accepting applications from students for the 2024 summer field season! This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the biological or environmental sciences. Successful applicants will be working out of the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre under the supervision of our biologist and hatchery staff to conduct multiple field programs and fisheries conservation practices. Click below for more details about this job posting and how to apply. The deadline for student summer job applications is March 1st.  

Left: MSA Biologist Lyndsay Jay-Keating works closely with students in the field to teach them hands-on skills like proper fish-handling techniques.

Right: MSA Summer Student Ally Taylor fishes a smolt wheel to help collect data for our 2023 smolt estimate program on the Northwest Miramichi River.

We are also seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our MSA office team. We are currently hiring for a part-time Event Coordinator position based out of our Fredericton office and a full-time Administrative Assistant and Member Relations Coordinator based out of our South Esk office. The closing date for applications for both positions is February 15th.

MSA Staff working while chatting with fundraising supporters at our 2023 Miramichi Dinner.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Dieppe Fly Tying Club! The club, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting fly tying and fishing, was founded in 1999 by its current president, Jacques Héroux, along with Luc Carrier, Bertin LeBlanc, and other members of the fly-tying community. Since then, the club has grown to more than 100 members from throughout southeastern New Brunswick. The club meets every Tuesday night between the months of October and April to practice and teach newcomers about the fine art of tying flies.

Over the last 25 years, the club has led several initiatives to engage community members, particularly youth. These initiatives include hosting children from Scouts Canada, performing fly tying demonstrations at local schools, hospitals, and seniors’ homes, and hosting and participating in various community events. Additionally, the club has played a significant role in supporting salmon conservation by sponsoring the construction of a research lab at the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre in South Esk and spearheading a major fundraising campaign in 2011 which contributed $30k to river conservation activities. In 2004, the club introduced the Dieppe Fly Tying Forum, which has since expanded into the Moncton Boat & Sportsmen Show, resulting in the provision of over $65k to New Brunswick conservation organizations. In 2013, the club received some much-deserved recognition for its community work when it was inducted into the Atlantic Salmon Museum Hall of Fame.

We would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the club for reaching this special milestone. A sincere thank you to Jacques Héroux and all Dieppe Fly Tying Club members for your ongoing efforts to support watershed groups like the Miramichi Salmon Association.

If you are interested in learning more about the Dieppe Fly Tying Club and how to get involved, please visit the link below.

Amherst Lady

Photo credit: Jacques Héroux

Sunday, February 11th is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The Miramichi Salmon Association is proud to be represented by strong women who lead and inspire conservation through science. 

Top to Bottom: MSA Biologist Lyndsay Jay-Keating and MSA Hatchery Manager Holly Labadie make a presentation at the Atlantic Salmon Museum for Girl Power Week; Past MSA Summer Students fish smolt wheels on the Northwest Miramichi River; Students from Gretna Green School learn about the life cycle of Atlantic salmon from the MSA field team; MSA staff work with students from NBCC to seine Atlantic salmon in Juniper; MSA Hatchery Manager Holly Labadie speaks about salmon at Miramichi Country Haven's 2023 Women's Fly Fishing Retreat.

MSA Board of Directors Meeting

February 22nd

MSA Moncton Event

May 23rd

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Miramichi Salmon Association

485 Route 420

South Esk NB E1V 4L9

506-622-4000

admin@miramichisalmon.ca

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