I’m looking forward to the MSA US virtual event this Saturday. Although I’m disappointed this event cannot be in person, I’m thankful for the chance for us to come together over our shared passion for Atlantic Salmon on the Miramichi, and count down the days until fishing season opens once again. Brad Burns and his MSA US committee members have put a great deal of time and effort into this event, and I hope you’ll join me on Saturday.

MSA staff members are working on our annual report for 2021, to be released ahead of our AGM later this year. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made over the past year, and outline our goals for the coming year.

Planning for field work this spring continues, and soon we will be recruiting summer students - be sure to watch our website and social media pages for announcements.

Hope to see you all this Saturday evening as part of the MSA US Virtual Event!

Robyn

The 2022 MSA US Event is happening virtually on February 5th at 6pm EST. Tickets are $250USD, and your ticket purchase will include a special-edition MSA-engraved Wheatley fly box.

This major fundraising event is taking place via ZOOM, so you can join in from anywhere! The evening will include a welcome by MSA US President Brad Burns, a presentation from MSA President Dr. Robyn McCallum, a virtual live auction for some terrific prizes including a Bogdan reel, a 3 day fishing trip to Black Brook for 2 rods, an Orvis Recon rod and reel outfit and much more. Later in the evening there will be a conservation paddle raise led by Colin “Rip” Cunningham. We look forward to seeing you for a fun night in support of salmon conservation in the Miramichi!

As part of the 2022 MSA US Event happening tomorrow, February 5th, the MSA US is hosting an online auction (different from the virtual live auction above) from January 28th until February 13th. This is a great chance to bid on some useful and unique items while supporting salmon conservation efforts in the Miramichi watershed. Please click the link below to register and join the auction - some truly great items are available. Thank you to Brad Burns and the entire MSA US event committee for pulling together such a fun raffle, auction and virtual dinner.

Also happening this weekend in conjunction with the MSA US virtual event, there will be running a raffle with the following 6 item available. Tickets are either $5, $10 or $15 each depending upon the item - please note that raffle ticket and auction items bids prices are in US dollars. To purchase a raffle ticket please click the link below.

The MSA is tentatively planning to host our spring line up of events in Boiestown which includes the MSA Science Day Symposium, our Annual General Meeting, and also the fun and entertaining Icebreaker dinner. We hope to be able to move forward with these events, but realize that COVID-19 public health restrictions may impact our plans. If restrictions in April keep us from gathering in person, will will move to an online format for the Science Day Symposium and AGM. We will provide further information on the Icebreaker dinner closer to the date, but in the mean time, please SAVE THE DATEs for the Science Day Symposium and AGM.

The MSA would like to remind New Brunswick anglers that the application period for the regular Crown Reserve draw is February 7th to March 4th. To enter your name in the draw to fish some of New Brunswick's finest stretches of water, please click the link below.

The MSA Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for February 5^th at 10:00 am AST. Individuals who would like to attend in person are asked to RSVP by clicking the link below. If you would rather join in via Zoom please check your email inbox for a link that has been sent out.

The question this month came from John Clift. John asked: How well can salmon see and are they colour-blind? 

Rick's Answer - The eyes of fishes are similar in structure and function to those of other vertebrates, including humans. And like other vertebrates, fish retinas (where light is ‘interpreted’) have two types of sensory cells: rods - which are sensitive to low light, and cones – for vision in bright light conditions and distinguishing different wavelengths of light (colours). Typically, the types of light a fish species can distinguish correlate with the light conditions typical of its habitat. So, fishes living in clear, shallow waters (e.g., Miramichi River) generally can see blue, red and green – the spectrum of light that can penetrate shallow water, as well as ultraviolet (some species). By contrast, because light attenuates rather quickly with depth, fishes living in deep waters (below 50-100m) can only discern blue and green. There is some scientific evidence that the ability to discern ultraviolet lessens with age in some salmonid species and may relate to life-stage as such an ability would be most adaptive when young fish, living in clear streams, are feeding on small invertebrates and plankton.

So yes, salmonids such as the Atlantic salmon can discern the same range of colours as humans, and a bit more (shorter wavelength ultra-violet).

 Membership in the MSA is the perfect way to express your passion and support for the Miramichi River, for the Atlantic salmon who make it their home, and for the vital work being done by the MSA to protect and conserve both for today and tomorrow!