Your monthly resource for MSA conservation updates, Miramichi Watershed Information, upcoming MSA Events and much much more.
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Salmon Conservation Loses True Champion
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Salmon conservation lost a great friend and advocate with the unexpected passing of David J. Wilson of Fredericton, NB. on August 22, 2019
A long-serving volunteer MSA Director, in 2003 David assumed leadership of the MSA’s flagship Fredericton Conservation Dinner and Grand Auction, a position he held until 2018. Under David’s 15-year charge, this annual signature event raised a total of $2.65 million for salmon conservation efforts and activities throughout the Miramichi River watershed!
In addition to lending the MSA his time and expertise at the local Fredericton level, David was also actively engaged on the national scene as well, serving as Board Chair of the MSA Inc. and MSA-US organizations from 2014-2016. At the time of his passing, he was Chair of the Board’s Nominating Committee and was an active member of the MSA Board Executive. In these various leadership roles, David gave up hundreds of hours of personal time (at personal expense) to participate in MSA meetings and events throughout the Maritimes and New England states. And, believing that you lead by example, David always made the Miramichi and conservation of its iconic salmon resource a priority within his own charitable giving.
A number of months ago, David humbly accepted the MSA’s request to be formally recognized and honoured at this year’s Annual MSA Fredericton Conservation Dinner on October 3, 2019. While we will now have to do so posthumously, we can take solace in the fact that David knew the salmon world was exceedingly grateful and appreciative for his many years of leadership and contributions to the cause of Atlantic salmon conservation.
David’s full obituary can be viewed by clicking
HERE
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Conservation Report by Kelsey McGee
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August has been quite a busy month as the summer field programs are near completion and the fall field programs are beginning. With the warm water protocol still in place at the beginning of the August our MSA field crew did a snorkel survey of a former cold-water habitat restoration site, Otter Brook on the Little Southwest Miramichi river. The purpose of the survey was to observe how many fish were utilizing the cold-water plume during the warm water period, thus verifying the effectiveness of the restoration project. We were happy to see that there were many juvenile salmon, brook trout, and other small fish using the plume.
Our field crew was also busy with our electrofishing program this month. Electrofishing began the first week of August and many sites have been surveyed to assess spring stocking success and the success of beaver dam removal from the fall program of 2018. Field technicians will continue to electrofish into September by helping DFO conduct their annual juvenile assessments.
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In this photo, MSA biologist Kelsey McGee conducts electrofishing to assess juvenile salmon stocks.
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Update on the SAS project within CAST program – by Mark Hambrook
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As reported in the news media, DFO has declined to issue a permit to release several thousand mature adult Atlantic salmon to the Northwest Miramichi River this fall for the 3
rd
year in a row from the SAS project being conducted at the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre. The adult salmon were captured as wild smolts (2 and 3 year old parr that are migrating to the ocean) and kept at the hatchery for 2 or 3 years protecting them from the massive mortality that currently exists in the estuary and ocean. On average 98% would perish on this journey and for example, 5,000 smolts going to the ocean would produce about 100 adult salmon returning to the river to spawn. The same 5,000 smolts going to the hatchery would produce 4,000 adult salmon returning to the river to spawn producing millions of eggs to repopulate the river. There are many stories and videos on our website that explain the SAS program, but DFO has effectively killed this project without a real plan to increase the number of adult salmon returning to the river, which hasn’t met it’s spawning requirements in 18 of the past 21 years. The salmon return so far in 2019 indicates another year of not making the spawning target.
The MSA is a member of CAST, but we have not had a seat on the Executive Committee for over a year and a half and are not privy to the long term plan for the SAS program. We entered into a written agreement to provide the hatchery facilities to CAST for the SAS project and in return they have been paying the expenses to operate the facility. I personally believe the SAS project is one of the best ways to quickly restore a salmon population in crisis, but it will only work if the issues that caused the problem in the first place can be addressed. The problems in our river, estuary and marine environment have to be fixed so a salmon population can be self-sustaining after restoration. We know what many of the issues are and what the solution is, but it requires government to take action or step aside and let others do the work. CAST was created out of a lack of government action to reverse the serious plight of the Atlantic salmon. A committed group of scientists and citizens that developed a world class program has been stopped by bureaucracy and a lack of urgency. The Northwest Miramichi River is at the verge of losing its Atlantic salmon population and while people argue about the best way forward, doing nothing means no more fish.
Below are some links to various stories about the SAS program and the debates.
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MSA Fredericton Dinner set for October 3, 2019
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The 24th Annual Fredericton Conservation Dinner will take place on Thursday, October 3rd, 2019 at the Fredericton Inn. This year we will be honouring (posthumously) past MSA Chairman and past Fredericton Dinner Chairman, David Wilson, for his many contributions and to the Miramichi Salmon Association and Atlantic salmon conservation.
Reception, Silent Auction & Raffles 5:30pm
Dinner Awards and Live Auction 7:00pm
To purchase a ticket please contact Kate Flanagan at 506-622-4000
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Smallmouth Bass discovered in Main Southwest Miramichi River
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Despite 11 years of lobbying by the MSA urging DFO to eradicate invasive smallmouth bass from Miramichi Lake, it seems that an unknown number of smallmouth bass have now escaped from Miramichi Lake and entered the Main Southwest Miramichi river; a potentially devastating event that could become a major threat to Atlantic Salmon populations in the river. On August 22, 2019 Dr. Allen Curry of the Canadian Rivers Institute snorkeled an area near McKiel Brook where a fisherman had reported catching a smallmouth bass while fishing for Atlantic salmon. Dr. Curry was able to find and photograph a smallmouth in the same area. Since discovering the smallmouth bass, the MSA crew, along with DFO and environmental organization Anquotum has been working hard to determine the number of smallmouth bass that may have escaped Miramichi Lake by using a Fyke net in an attempt to capture any remaining bass.
For more information on this please click
HERE
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In this photo, MSA staff, DFO and Anquotum use a Fyke net in an attempt to capture smallmouth bass on the Main Southwest Miramichi river near McKiel Brook
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MSA's First Cast a Success
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In a strengthened partnership this year with the Atlantic Salmon Museum out of Doaktown, MSA is happy to report that this year’s 9th Annual First Cast program on June 29th thru the 30th was exceptional! What made this two-day, free-to-the-public, event so much fun was having the attendance of such an inquisitive group of young people with equally interested mentors. It made our Saturday at the Museum, and actual fly fishing at a private camp on Sunday in Blackville, great fun.
Big shout-out goes to the Miramichi Big Brothers-Big Sisters/Boys & Girls Club for sending us such an outstanding group of 11 attendees, which included 2 truly exceptional, ever so capable young adult staff. It made our program ever so rewarding! Thank you to the mother from Fredericton with her son & daughter, and the grandfather from Moncton with his ever eager-to-learn grandson.
To read the rest of this update click
HERE
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2019 First Cast participants enjoy a fun filled day on the river
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2019 First Cast Participants getting ready to head to the river
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MSA Photo Contest Extended!
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With the brilliant fall colors just around the corner, we couldn't resist extending the photo contest with the aim of capturing some of those beautiful Miramichi fall scenes. So please, keep the photos coming.
The photo contest will be extended until October 1, 2019 and we hope to receive a bunch of new submissions. Thank you to everyone who has submitted so far! To submit a photo please click
HERE
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New Multi-Year ‘Cold Water’ Program
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Thanks to the
“Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk”,
eleven (11) more cold-water habitat refuge sites in the Miramichi watershed are expected to be enhanced and/or restored over the next 4 years.
A joint partnership program between the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), the North Shore Micmac District Council (NSMDC), the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA), the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), and the University of New Brunswick (UNB), this exciting new $900,000 program aims to build upon the MSA’s already completed nine (9) cold-water habitat refuge projects. In addition, the program also includes funding support for a Brook Floater Mussel survey and Invasive Species Control Management in and around Miramichi Lake. An Indigenous Environmental Technician Curriculum will also be developed in year-1 to build capacity for carrying out technical environmental work.
The program is expected to kick off mid to late September with Brook Floater Invasive Species surveys, followed by the surveying of a number of potential cold-water refuge sites. The goal is to restore and/or enhance three (3) different cold-water habitat refuge sites per year, beginning in 2020.
Watch the ‘Leaper’ for further details on the roll-out of this exciting new cold-water habitat enhancement program.
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MSA’s Burnt Land Brook Project – 2018
SW Miramichi River
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38th Annual Hall of Fame Reception
Saturday, September 21, 2019 (4:30 – 6:00 PM)
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The Atlantic Salmon Museum is delighted to announce that it will be bringing its annual Hall of Fame event back to the Museum this year and while tickets for the dinner itself are no longer available, the general public is invited to attend a free Meet and Greet that will begin at 4:30 pm. Come congratulate the Inductees and their families – treat yourselves to some delicious finger food and maybe place a bid on some of our exciting auction items. Because the reception will be held on both floors of the Museum, you’ll also get a chance to have a look at our exhibits while you chat with friends and neighbors. The inductees this year are Manley Price (conservationist), Peter Clark (author), Ralph S. Warren (guide), Joseph L. Price (guide) and James E. Laws (conservationist). For further information, call the Museum at 506-365-7787 or email museum@nbnet.nb.ca We look forward to welcoming you on September 21st.
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Upcoming MSA Events You Don't Want to Miss
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24th MSA Fredericton Dinner - Fredericton Inn, October 3, 2019
MSA/ASF 18th Annual Autumn Run Dinner - Saint John, NB October 24, 2019
MSA 6th Annual Carleton County Dinner - Hartland, NB -Mid-November, 2019
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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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