Your monthly resource for MSA conservation updates, Miramichi Watershed Information, upcoming MSA Events and much much more.
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Conservation Report by Kelsey McGee
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Electrofishing
It has been a busy September for our field crew! This month the MSA field team worked with DFO to electrofish and assess juvenile salmon abundance at our baseline sites. These historic sites are monitored annually in an effort to assess Atlantic salmon juvenile abundance in the Miramichi River system.
Also this month, the MSA, Anqotum and the Atlantic Salmon Federation collaborated to electrofish, and also seine net, Lake Brook in search of smallmouth bass. Lake Brook is the stretch of water that drains from Miramichi Lake into the main Southwest Miramichi River. The crew found eight smallmouth bass in the upper stretch of Lake Brook, however, none were found in the lower end. All of the bass found were one year old.
Broodstock Collection
Broodstock collection season has kicked off already and the MSA team has been busy collecting broodstock on both the Northwest and Main Southwest Miramichi rivers. Salmon are collected with either a beach seine net or a fyke net and then transported back to the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Center where they are held until spawning occurs (mid-October). After spawning, the fish are then released back into the river system unharmed. With many more collections to be done we are always looking for volunteers to lend a hand. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, please contact MSA Biologist Kelsey McGee at kelsey@miramichisalmon.ca.
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Capacity Crowd Honours David Wilson at MSA Fredericton Dinner
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On Thursday, October 3rd, the MSA hosted their 24th Annual Conservation dinner at the Fredericton Inn honouring David Wilson (posthumously). The evening was a a huge success with over 325 people in attendance, including Premier Blaine Higgs and a number of other dignitaries. The evening was emceed by MSA communications director Greg Sprague who kept things running smoothly and on time. One of the many highlights, aside from the fantastic live and silent auctions and the delicious prime rib meal, was a heartfelt and poignant speech by Mr. Bud Bird which touched on the important contributions David Wilson made through his lifetime of volunteerism and conservation work. Mr. Bird also expressed that during the last 50 years we have seen a 90% reduction in the number of salmon returning to the Miramichi river system and that if we do not act now
it may soon be too late to reverse the decline of this majestic species in the Miramichi watershed. The MSA would like to thank the volunteer dinner committee, the Wilson family, and and all the generous donors and contributors that helped make this evening a tremendous success.
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In this photo, Mr. Bud Bird addressed the crowd with a poignant speech on the state of Atlantic salmon.
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I
n this photo, MSA President and Premier Blaine Higgs present Heather Wilson with a Memorial Life Membership in the name of her late father, David Wilson.
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MSA Completes Government Pool Restoration
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As part of the MSA's ongoing effort to restore salmon habitat in the Miramichi watershed, an on-site survey was conducted in September 2018 to determine a preliminary design for restoring the deteriorating habitat at Government Pool, on the SW Miramichi river located just above Blackville. In September of 2019 the MSA completed the work of installing three deflectors along an island in the main south channel. These deflectors will increase the south channel’s flow and flow energy towards the center of the channel which will assist the river in removing some of the gravel bar located in the south channel pool. This work will also help to mitigate erosion down river. Below are a few pictures from the work that was completed last month.
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Preparing to move a few boulders to deflect erosive river current.
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Using an excavator to put rocks in place.
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Rocks put in place to deflect the flow of water.
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Smallmouth Bass Persist in the Main Southwest Miramichi
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A
n all-out effort has been launched by salmon conservation groups and First Nations to eradicate smallmouth bass from the Miramichi River. To date a total of 30 smallmouth bass have been caught and eliminated, however, a plan has been formed with the aim of eradicating all remaining bass. For more information on the plan moving forward please click the link below.
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Annual Saint John Autumn Run Dinner Set for October 24th
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The Miramichi Salmon Association, in conjunction with The Atlantic Salmon Federation and the NB Salmon Council, are set to co-hosted the 18th Annual Autumn Run Dinner at the Delta Brunswick in Saint John on October 24th. The evening is sure to be a great time and will feature a live and silent auction, some fun raffles and a delicious meal! If you would like to purchase a ticket to the dinner please click the link below.
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MSA Hosting 5th Annual Carleton County Dinner
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The MSA's 5th Annual Carleton County Dinner, which is always a lively and fun filled night,
will be held on Thursday November 14th at the Covered Bridge County Club in Hartland, NB from 5:30-9:00 with Joe Palmer serving as Master of Ceremonies. This year the MSA will be
honouring
Meduxnekeag River Association.
There is still time to get tickets ($50 each) by contacting MSA Event Coordinator Kate Flanagan at 506-622-4000 or via e-mail at
kate@miramichisalmon.ca
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MSA Director Manley Price Inducted into the Atlantic Salmon Museum Hall of Fame.
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Since 1983, the Atlantic Salmon Museum’s Hall of Fame has celebrated the many men and women (anglers, outfitters, fly tiers, writers and artists) whose love of the mighty salmo salar has not only enriched their lives but has also turned them into ardent conservationists. The event, normally held in the fall, is one of the Museum’s most popular events and attracts guests from all over the Maritimes and the New England States. The inductees are honoured with portraits displayed in one of the Museum’s galleries and many donate a personal memento to our collection. This year, MSA director Manley Price was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his outstanding commitment to salmon conservation and his tireless volunteerism. Congratulations Manley!
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In this photo are the six 2019 inductees to the Salmon Museum Hall of Fame. From left to right, inductee James E. Laws, Darrell Warren and Betty (Warren) Mutch (representing their father and inductee Ralph S. Warren, deceased) Bonnie Robinson – representing her grandfather and inductee Joseph L. Price (deceased) inductee Peter D. Clark and
inductee Manley W. Price.
Photo credit: Brian Smith
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MSA to Host "Fishing for Laughs"
2019 Comedy Tour
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On November 22nd at the Vogue Theater in Miramichi, and on November 23rd at the Woodsman Museum in Boiestown, the MSA will be hosting a comedy night featuring Miramichi's own...Jimmy MacKinley. You might know Jimmy and his comedy from
Laugh Out Loud on CBC Radio One.
Tickets are $25
and can be purchased by clicking the link below. Come on out and enjoy a fun filled evening of laughs - all in support of salmon conservation in the Miramichi watershed.
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MSA Launches "Creel of Fortune" Fundraising Initiative
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In an effort to create new sources of funding, the MSA has launched "Creel of Fortune" lottery. Creel of Fortune is a 50/50 type lottery where you place a toonie in one of our collection boxes, and if your toonie is drawn on a predetermined draw date, you win half of the pot. Our toonie draw will occur every Thursday starting on October 17th, 2019
For more information, or to register online for the toonie draw please click the link below.
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Upcoming MSA Events You Don't Want to Miss
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18th Annual Autumn Fall Run Dinner - October 24th, Saint John, NB
Fishing for Laughs 2019 Comedy Tour - November 22nd, Vogue Theater, Miramichi, NB
Fishing for Laughs 2019 Comedy Tour - November 23rd, Woodsman Museum, Boiestown, NB
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Still not a member of the Miramichi Salmon Association?
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!
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