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. 76 November 2024

Dear MSA members and supporters,

As we enter the final months of the year, it’s one of the busiest seasons for the Miramichi Salmon Association. October has been packed with activity, and I’m pleased to share some exciting updates on our recent accomplishments and ongoing work in salmon conservation.

We recently hosted two major fundraising events, one in Fredericton and one in Saint John, both of which exceeded our expectations in terms of revenue and attendance. The success of these events reinforces the strength and passion of our community and the dedication to preserving the Miramichi Atlantic salmon population. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made these dinners such memorable occasions.

October 3rd was a particularly significant day for us as Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers officially declared it "Atlantic Salmon Conservation Day," a meaningful recognition of our efforts. Additionally, we launched the inaugural Bud Bird Award in Salmon Conservation, which honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to our cause. The award went to Vince Swazey, in recognition of his lifetime dedication to Atlantic salmon conservation and his unwavering support of the MSA. Furthermore, we were thrilled to see Mark Hambrook honored with the Lt. Governor’s Award for his outstanding dedication to the field.



Our work in the field continues as we are well into the spawning season. With the help of our dedicated volunteers, we aim to have over a million eggs incubating over the winter, preparing us for our spring fry stocking program. This crucial work would not be possible without the commitment of our volunteers, who make a tangible impact on the survival of wild salmon populations – thank you for all you do. In addition, our beaver dam notching program is underway, improving passage to spawning grounds for Atlantic salmon and helping to support their migration.

Looking ahead, our upcoming Board of Directors meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, Maine, on November 16th at 9 a.m. EST, an important opportunity to plan our efforts for 2025. We are also excited to announce the upcoming Carleton County Online Christmas Auction, along with our end-of-season appeal, which will be sent out later this month. These final two fundraising initiatives are critical to keeping the MSA’s mission moving forward, and we are grateful for the ongoing financial support of our members and donors.

Finally, I recently attended the Inter-Provincial Atlantic Salmon Partnership Symposium, hosted by the Federation for the Conservation of Atlantic Salmon. While many attendees anticipated the Minister of Fisheries would announce the release of the Atlantic Salmon Strategy, we were disappointed to learn that it will be postponed until funding is secured for the strategy. This delay only deepens concerns about the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ commitment to addressing the severe challenges facing our Atlantic salmon populations.

Thank you to everyone who is a part of our conservation efforts. With your support, we’ll continue working tirelessly to protect and restore the salmon of the Miramichi.

William (Butch) Dalton

MSA President

MSA President, Butch Dalton, and one of the "Champions for Conservation" Bud Bird

Alex L'Heureux entertained the crowd by painting live, this artwork was later sold in the live auction

Two of the "Champions for Conservation", Vince Swazey and Mark Hambrook

On October 3rd, the Miramichi Salmon Association proudly launched the inaugural Bud Bird Award in Salmon Conservation, which recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Atlantic salmon conservation. Named in recognition of Bud Bird’s remarkable legacy and unwavering dedication to preserving Atlantic salmon and the Miramichi watershed, this award symbolizes the profound impact one person can have on conservation efforts. With Bud’s longstanding commitment as our inspiration, this award will recognize champions whose efforts have been instrumental in supporting Atlantic salmon and enhancing the vitality of our rivers.

The first recipient of this prestigious award was Vin Swazey, a dedicated conservationist whose lifetime of service and passion for Atlantic salmon embodies the spirit of the award. Vin's tireless work on behalf of the Miramichi Salmon Association and his advocacy for sustainable conservation practices have made a significant impact on the health of the river and the future of our salmon populations. The launch of the Bud Bird Award and its presentation to Vin Swazey mark a meaningful step forward for the MSA, celebrating those who stand as true champions of conservation and reminding us all of the difference each of us can make.

Left to right: UNB President Paul Mazerolle, CRI Director Jennifer Lento, Vin Swazey, Bud and Peggy Bird Scholarship award winner, UNB Ph.D. candidate Ryan Hill, Bud Bird, Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers

Fishing Friends – I think I can safely say that for anyone who does very much salmon fishing, 2024 will be remembered as the toughest season in a very long time. That isn’t to say that no fish were caught, and that there weren’t some bright moments, but in general it was a continuation of the trend that began in 2012 and has accelerated in the last few seasons. 

On October 3rd, the NB Salmon Council's prestigious Lt. Governor’s Award for Excellence in Atlantic Salmon Conservation was presented to Mark Hambrook, a cornerstone figure in salmon conservation whose career has profoundly shaped efforts to protect and restore Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi River.

This esteemed award honours individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions in Atlantic salmon conservation, and Mark’s dedication and expertise have long exemplified this mission. As the former president of the Miramichi Salmon Association and a lifelong conservationist, Mark has championed countless projects to sustain the Atlantic salmon population, earning the respect and gratitude of colleagues and the community alike.

Under Mark’s leadership, the Miramichi Salmon Association has pioneered initiatives that address both the immediate and long-term needs of the Atlantic salmon population. His dedication to the river, knowledge of conservation, and hands-on approach have been integral to the success of these initiatives, setting a high standard for future conservationists. The Lt. Governor’s Award recognizes not only Mark’s outstanding contributions but also his vision and unwavering commitment, which continue to inspire everyone involved in the preservation and conservation of Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi River.

The Miramichi Salmon Association’s annual broodstock collection and spawning are a critical step in our mission to sustain and restore the Atlantic salmon population in the Miramichi River. Each fall, dedicated staff and volunteers gather broodstock—wild adult salmon—from the river for our hatchery program. This year, thanks to the tireless efforts of our team and volunteers, we’ve successfully collected a robust selection of broodstock to spawn eggs for incubation. These eggs will hatch over the winter, and the resulting fry will be carefully reared and released into the river in the spring to support natural population levels.

Our stocking program is a cornerstone of our conservation strategy. Every volunteer who braves the elements to assist in this process plays a vital role in the future of the Miramichi salmon. Their commitment and enthusiasm are invaluable, making a tangible impact on the river’s health and the long-term survival of this iconic species. Thanks to their hard work, we can continue to strengthen the Atlantic salmon population and uphold the Miramichi’s legacy as a world-renowned salmon river.

A fascinating exercise in the off-season is to ponder the data from the trap nets at Millerton and Cassilis that the Canadian DFO uses to calculate the salmon and grilse runs into the Miramichi. Let’s take a little look and see if there are any revelations and/or trends in the data that are helpful either to our understanding of our favourite fish or in trying to get one on the end of our line.

In October, the Miramichi Salmon Association attended a significant Atlantic salmon release event on the Pollett River, an essential tributary of the Petitcodiac River system. MSA President Butch Dalton was present alongside local conservation supporters and members of the Fort Folly First Nation, who played an indispensable role in this important initiative. The participation of Fort Folly First Nation is crucial, bringing invaluable knowledge of the watershed and a deep commitment to restoring and conserving Atlantic salmon in these traditional waters.

This salmon release marks an important step toward reestablishing a self-sustaining population in the Pollett River. The event is part of the larger Fundy Salmon Recovery initiative, an award-winning partnership between academia, First Nations, government, and private industry focused on saving the endangered inner Bay of Fundy wild Atlantic salmon. While the MSA is not directly involved in this project, we wholeheartedly support initiatives like this that work towards the conservation and revitalization of Atlantic salmon populations. By collaborating with Fort Folly First Nation and local community members, the Fundy Salmon Recovery project aims to enhance the chances of survival and natural reproduction for Atlantic salmon in the region.

MSA Directors are are reminded of the upcoming Miramichi Salmon Association Board of Directors Meeting on November 16th, 2024. The meeting will take place at the Freeport Hilton Garden Inn, located in Freeport, Maine.

This is an important opportunity for us to discuss ongoing initiatives, review our progress, and plan for the future of our organization. Your insights and contributions are invaluable to our mission.

Details of the Meeting:

• Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
• Location: Freeport Hilton Garden Inn, "The Old School House" Freeport, Maine
• Time: 9 a.m. EST

Please make every effort to attend, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or topics you would like to discuss.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the Miramichi Salmon Association.

Rooms at the Hilton Garden can be booked by clicking the link below:

MSA Carleton County Online Christmas Auction

Launching in late November

MSA Board of Directors Meeting - Freeport, Maine

November 16th

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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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