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. 66 January 2024

Hello everyone!

On behalf of the Miramichi Salmon Association, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our members, directors, and supporters a Happy New Year! The new year is often a time for reflection, and looking back on 2023, it is safe to say that we have had a very busy and productive year. We returned to our in-person fundraising dinners in earnest, celebrated our 70th anniversary in style, and continued with our fight to strengthen Atlantic salmon populations in the Miramichi.

Despite the poor salmon returns to the Miramichi in 2023 we should remain optimistic. As Abraham Lincoln might remind us, (were he still alive and involved in salmon conservation) - this is no time for rumination, but a time for action! So, with that in mind, let us not dwell on the negative, but instead look to the future with the conviction and determination to make a positive difference in the Miramichi's salmon population.

We are looking forward to a number of events in the coming year, starting with the MSA US Event at the Portland Country Club on February 3rd. This year, Brad Burns and David Fenderson along with their team of volunteers have organized a great event. Special guest Sir Michael Wigan, owner of the Borrobol Estate on the River Helmsdale in the Northern Highlands of Scotland, will be giving a presentation that is sure to be informative and entertaining. If you would like to purchase tickets to this event please visit our website or click the link below. We look forward to seeing you at this fun dinner and auction!

I would like to send a big thank you to our Carleton County volunteers who organized a very successful Christmas auction. We appreciate all the hard work and organization that went into hosting such a terrific auction. It takes a lot of effort to gather 85 auction items! We would also like to send a big shout-out to our sponsors for their contribution to the MSA’s fundraising efforts.

Later this month, the MSA will be participating in the Eastern New Brunswick Coastal and Inland Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee meeting in Moncton. Through this meeting, the MSA is able to provide feedback about Atlantic salmon and striped bass fishing regulations as well as DFO’s population assessment report. We will certainly bring up issues surrounding the exploding striped bass population in the Miramichi estuary and be making recommendations to do something about it.

Finally, we received several applications this year for the Jack Fenety Conservation Scholarship. Our Education Committee is currently reviewing applications and will inform the board shortly about the 2024 recipient. Click the link below for more details on this award and previous recipients.

Tight lines,

William "Butch" Dalton

MSA Interim President

In celebration of the new year, we are sharing some of our favourite photos from 2023. We have accomplished much together over the last year and our work continues for 2024.

Tickets are on sale for the 2024 MSA US Winter Event, taking place February 3rd at the Portland Country Club in Falmouth, ME. The evening will include an excellent buffet dinner with complimentary wine. There will be silent and live auctions, and the entire event will be streamed interactively via zoom. Virtual attendees will receive a gift instead of food and drink. 

This year's keynote speaker will be Sir Michael Wigan, owner of the Borrobol Estate on the River Helmsdale in the Northern Highlands of Scotland.

The Helmsdale vies with the River Naver for the unofficial title of best small salmon river in Scotland. Michael Wigan is an avid salmon fisherman, conservationist, and author. He is the manager of the River Helmsdale Fishery Board, and has been involved in all aspects of stock enhancement including supervising the river’s hatchery operation and fry stocking program. Book titles by Michael Wigan include The Scottish Highland Estate, Stags at Bay, The Last of the Hunter Gatherers, and The Salmon. 

Combine having a great time with your support for the Miramichi and Atlantic salmon!

We have had an unusually mild winter so far, meaning the river is still open water. Surrounded by snow, it is a majestic sight!

A screenshot from the MSA River Cam at Bullock's Lodge taken on January 5th.

For those who are miles away, you can still stay connected with the MSA River Cam at Bullock's Lodge. Thank you to Dan and Renate Bullock, Dwayne Brewer, Shadcomm Ltd., MCG Media, and Bell Aliant for making this live feed possible.

The MSA participates in the Eastern New Brunswick Coastal and Inland Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee. In particular, the MSA offers feedback about Atlantic salmon and striped bass fishing regulations as well as DFO’s population assessment reports.

The next advisory committee meeting will be taking place later this month. Some of the major agenda items that the MSA will continue to push for are river management that reflects scientific evidence, ecosystem balance, more enforcement against poaching, and the return to four fish per day for catch and release. The MSA’s position on these topics is consistent with that of other conservation groups. 

Of particular concern is the need for a multi-species management approach for striped bass and Atlantic salmon. The Miramichi Salmon Association is pleased to see the striped bass population recovering and thriving, but we are concerned about overall ecosystem balance. Despite consistent recommendations, regulations are slow to change for both Atlantic salmon and striped bass. Along with Atlantic salmon, gaspereau, mackerel, smelt, and herring populations are suffering because of the exploding striped bass population.

A video captured by Nelson Cloud of striped bass spawning in the Miramichi River, May 2023.

Click below to read the recommendations being made to the advisory committee on behalf of the Miramichi Salmon Association.



Last month, Mount Allison University student William Chapman made headlines with a subway map he designed showing the tributaries of the Miramichi River. The idea was inspired by a class field trip to the Miramichi with Dr. Josh Kurek.

"The professor was talking about, 'We're crossing such and such river' and, you know, 'this leads into' wherever. And I didn't really know where that was," said Chapman, who is in his third year of environmental science. "So I made the Miramichi watershed map to figure out."

To read the complete story posted by CBC, please click the link below.

William has generously donated funds raised through his project, as well as prints of the map to the MSA for Atlantic salmon conservation. We would like to offer William a special thank you for his support. Prints of William's map will be sold in upcoming fundraising auctions throughout 2024.

Photo credit: William Chapman

Thanks to everyone who helped organize, donated to, and participated in our 2023 Carleton County Online Christmas Auction. Together, we were able to fundraise nearly $20,000 for Atlantic salmon conservation on the Miramichi River.

A special thank you goes out to our generous sponsors for this event. We appreciate your continued support!

In our 18th episode of Miramichi River Stories, Mervin Green talks about participating in the Centennial Voyageur Canoe Pageant.

MSA US Winter Event

February 3rd

MSA Board of Directors Meeting

February 22nd

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